Authors: Emre Balikci and Dicle Koylan
Abstract: In this article, we analyzed urban transformation in Istanbul using the concepts of evolutionary economics and shown that it is a process driven by the people’s desire to climb in the social hierarchy by publishing a “costly signal” or spending for conspicuous consumption rather than by people’s motivation to improve the functional quality of their living spaces. To understand the main motivation behind the people’s demand for urban transformation we conducted in-depth interviews with the residents and observed that people endorsed the process because it generated extensive costs, waste and a decrease in the quality of life which can only be financed and tolerated by the strong classes and therefore differentiate them from the weak ones. Thus, we argued that the motivation behind this process can be understood with the Darwinian concepts which is central to our analysis.