The Role of Civil Initiatives in Urban Adaptation of Industrial Heritage in Türkiye: Yedikule Gasworks and Serotonin Events

This article aims to evaluate the processes of the urban adaptation process of industrial heritage sites through the evaluation and transformation of Yedikule Gasworks. The research aims to assess the role of governmental and non-governmental key actors, initiatives, and community-based organizations (CBOs), such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in promoting the importance of industrial heritage as cultural heritage in Türkiye. The research seeks to understand how industrial areas, fostered by artist-driven approaches to conservation and participation, defined as Seretonin events, mediate the reintegration of industrial areas into the city. This research aims to evaluate the urban regeneration processes of industrial heritage sites through case studies, taking into account the historical, cultural, urban, and social values of these sites. The research has been centered on exploring the role of participation and the approaches employed in the urban adaptation process, with a particular emphasis on the socio-cultural impacts. Additionally, it considers the contributions of civil society initiatives, volunteer communities, and interdisciplinary artistic endeavors in this transformation. In essence, the study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the preservation of cultural heritage and its adaptation as new public spaces within urban environments. To this purpose, the adaptation process of the Yedikule Gasworks is investigated, with particular attention paid to the effects of an interdisciplinary approach to the preservation of industrial heritage. Additionally, case studies are presented that examine the challenges and opportunities associated with reintegrating industrial heritage sites into urban areas.