Critique of Urban Transformation in Istanbul: The Ecumenopolis Documentary

The Ecumenopolis documentary provides an insightful perspective on Istanbul’s rapidly expanding urban structure, particularly focusing on the issue of uncontrolled urban transformation.

The documentary effectively showcases the historical progression of the city and the construction-driven growth that has been shaped by profit-oriented thinking. It highlights how informal settlements have been replaced by luxury housing projects under the guise of aesthetic improvement—often at the cost of justice—and how this transformation is frequently misrepresented in the media.

The traffic problem in Istanbul is also addressed: rather than offering long-term solutions, the repeated construction of new roads and bridges actually increases car usage and pulls the city into an unsustainable cycle.

One of the most powerful aspects of the documentary is its focus on social injustice. Urban transformation is not merely about physical restructuring—it deepens inequalities. As these developments continue, the gap between the wealthy and the poor widens. On one side of the city stand modern skyscrapers, while on the other, neighborhoods still lack access to basic infrastructure.

Finally, the documentary questions how the concepts of “city” and “urbanization” have become synonymous with construction in our minds. It emphasizes that urban development does not have to be in opposition to nature. Environmentally conscious, ecologically integrated urbanization is possible—yet today’s policies are unfortunately driven almost entirely by economic growth and profit.

🎬 Interested in watching the full documentary? You can watch Ecumenopolis: City Without Limits on MUBI via the link: 👉 https://mubi.com/tr/tr/films/ecumenopolis-city-without-limits