Geography of social networks: The case of creative industries in Tomtom Neighborhood

Abstract

The emergence of the "creative industries" paradigm represents a recent and noteworthy advancement within urban studies. These sectors have garnered pervasive global attention, functioning across national, regional, and urban scales. Their prominence is attributable to their instrumental role in shaping urban policies and fueling economic expansion. Beyond their mere economic contributions, creative industries have garnered recognition for their capacity to yield social and cultural dividends. Their impact on shaping urban identities and prominence contributes to the augmentation of social cohesion, spurring innovation, and nurturing a sense of place. The flourishing of creative industries necessitates an environment conducive to their growth, characterized by spatial proximity and robust interconnections that facilitate the exchange of information. As a result, the evolution of creative industries becomes intrinsically linked to the spatial dynamics of urban territories, often characterized by inclinations toward agglomeration and clustering. This phenomenon leads to the concentration of creative industries within specific locales, fostering collaborative networks and the reciprocal sharing of resources. This clustering emerges as pivotal to the success of creative industries, promoting the dissemination of knowledge, ideation, and expertise, thus catalyzing heightened innovation and productivity. To grasp comprehensively the import of creative industries in the context of urban development, a comprehensive exploration into the underlying social and cultural catalysts propelling their expansion is imperative. The emergence of social networks within creative industries serves as a linchpin for their triumph, facilitating partnerships, knowledge diffusion, and resource exchange. Organic and informal networks often spontaneously emerge through interactions within creative clusters, although their measurement and analysis pose challenges. Nevertheless, these networks exert a pivotal influence in shaping the dynamics of creative industries and the urban milieu they inhabit. The "creative industries" framework has become a cornerstone of contemporary urban development strategies. The efficacy of these industries hinges on the intricate interplay between spatial and social dynamics within urban contexts, necessitating an environment that fosters spatial proximity, robust interconnections, and the transfer of knowledge. Consequently, unraveling the intricate interrelationship between creative industries, urban development, and the socio-cultural matrix is paramount for urban scholars, planners, and policymakers dedicated to advancing sustainable and inclusive urban progress. The global prominence of creative industries has assumed heightened significance since the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development deliberations in 2004. This momentum has been further accentuated by UNESCO's establishment of the Creative Cities Network during the same year. The central mission of this network is to fortify creative industries at local and international levels through city collaborations and the exchange of insights and experiences. Istanbul's accession to this network in 2017, leveraging its rich cultural heritage, burgeoning design sector, the craft industry, and networks of creative production, presents a promising opportunity for the city to actively participate in burgeoning global networks actively, thereby reinforcing Turkey's ongoing process of globalization. However, current examinations of Istanbul's creative industries have yet to yield a comprehensive network structure encompassing the entirety of the urban expanse. The research endeavors to delve into the structural dynamics of these sectors and the intricate nexus of relationships binding their constituents. A pivotal focal point of analysis rests within the interactions among professionals within creative industries, emphasizing their social affiliations and networks. This investigative inquiry is facilitated through social network analysis, further enriched by integrating geographic data into social network visualizations through software platforms. Through this analytical framework, the research extends its examination to encompass the spatial distribution of these networks. The case study centered upon the Tomtom neighborhood assumes the role of a pivotal axis, encompassing in-depth interviews with a spectrum of creative practitioners spanning disciplines such as architecture, ceramics, fashion design, antiquities, and fine arts. The research further engages with the multifaceted challenges the creative industries encounter in their pursuit of sustainable growth and development. The meticulous examination of the profound impact wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic upon these creative sectors is of particular significance, a facet thoroughly scrutinized during the comprehensive field study. The ramifications of the pandemic on the creative industries have catalyzed a substantial focus on assessing the industry's capacity for resilience and adaptability in the face of unprecedented challenges. The thesis is structured across six chapters, each contributing to an enriched comprehension of the subject matter. Chapter 1 serves as a cornerstone by introducing the research questions, methodology, and hypotheses. This chapter lays the groundwork for the entire thesis, delineating a roadmap that guides the subsequent chapters toward deeper insights. Chapter 2 encompasses an exhaustive review of pertinent literature, centering around creative industries and their interrelationship with social networks. This section establishes a theoretical framework by dissecting definitions of creative industries and categorizations of networks within this domain. Furthermore, it delves into the intricate interplay between geography and networks within creative industries. Following the comprehensive literature review, this chapter explores Istanbul's identity as a "City of Design." It scrutinizes the global interpretations of creative cities and evaluates Istanbul's role within the creative cities network. Chapter 3 meticulously outlines the methodology employed to delineate the geographic extent of social networks and construct social network visualizations. This chapter concurrently introduces the case study of the Beyoğlu district and its focal point, the Tomtom neighborhood. This section not only provides a background of the locale but also assesses its evolving dynamics and developmental trajectory. This chapter systematically dissects the neighborhood's intrinsic significance within Istanbul's creative industries ecosystem by employing primary and secondary sources. Chapter 4 constitutes a pivotal phase, engaging in-depth interviews, graphical representations, and cartographic depictions to illuminate the interplay between social networks and the geographical fabric of creative industries within the Tomtom neighborhood. Addressing the core research questions of the study, "How do social networks spread geographically?" and "Is there a geographical trace of social networks?" – this chapter adds depth to the analytical discourse. In Chapter 5, the focus shifts to policy developments for the Tomtom neighborhood. It identifies crucial aspects such as ownership, sustainable financial support, and resilience that are integral to the holistic growth of the neighborhood. The concluding chapter encapsulates the findings in a comprehensive overview, acknowledging the study's limitations and furnishing recommendations for future research trajectories. Ultimately, the thesis reiterates its hypothesis, asserting that social networks exert discernible effects on the spatial configuration of creative industries in Istanbul while also acknowledging the reciprocal dynamic – the influence of the geographical distribution of creative industries on their respective social networks. In summation, by harmonizing social network analysis with geospatial location data and integrating it within a comprehensive framework of interviews with creative professionals, this study bestows a comprehensive understanding of the spatial manifestation of social networks within the realm of Istanbul's creative industries. The insights engendered by this study possess the potential to catalyze the formulation of policies aimed at nurturing the burgeoning and sustainable trajectory of Istanbul's creative industries.