Planning cities and museums in the age of globalization

Abstract

A discussion on participation of diverse communities to museums in megapoles such as Istanbul needs to be contextualized within the framework of the city, forces that determine its urban culture, social relations, economy, politics, policies and management of its resources. As main actors of globalization, today, cities need to balance between forces of the international market, consequences of property speculations, prestige projects, regeneration of old urban quarters, mass tourism and demands of local communities, politics of participation and the urge to preserve the characteristics of the place. Change of forms of production and consumption in cities and their inclusion to global networks and markets require a revision of the cityscape, resulting in urban planning and redevelopment. Planning of the new city of the age of information and globalization urges us to rethink the distribution of its museums and their relation with the city and its inhabitants. How do museums function and make sense in these new urban environments, culturally and politically? If cities have become so competent to strategize between local and global networks, how can museums adapt to this relation? Can we think of alternatives to "the museum in the centre of the city"? Based on Istanbul which celebrates 2010 as the European Capital of Culture, this paper discusses the challenge in megapoles to facilitate and sustain participation of diverse groups in museums and the role of cultural planning in affirming the meaning of place in cities. © Common Ground, Deniz Ünsal, All Rights Reserved.