Hope, Indignation, Nostalgia: the Emotional Navigation of Urban Modernity in Post-War Istanbul

Abstract

This chapter explores the emotional dimensions of capitalist urban development in post-war Turkey, focusing on Istanbul as a microcosm of profound socio-economic transformation. It argues that, as capitalist relations gained momentum from the 1950s onwards, Istanbul was pushed to the forefront of national development and became a symbol of economic promise and social mobility. This transformation imbued the city with multifaceted emotional significance for Turkish society, encompassing hope, coldness, resentment, and nostalgia. Through an analysis of popular discourse, including films, newspapers, and satirical magazines, the chapter identifies culturally ingrained tropes that helped individuals interpret and navigate urban and economic changes, namely the popular proverb that Istanbul streets are paved with gold, the figure of the poor but proud youth, and the social type of the courteous Istanbul gentleman. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Agnes Arndt and Kerstin Maria Pahl. All rights reserved.