Emlak Bankası: A formative actor in Turkish housing history

Abstract

Housing provision is one of the key architectural topics of the 20th century. Following the rapid industrialization, many European cities saw massive migrations from the rural areas which resulted in a significant housing shortage in the newly urbanized areas. Construction of social housing for the new immigrants were realized by many different actors such as the private sector and philanthropists, however, the issue needed a more organized intervention by the state. The emergence of housing institutions not only addressed the practical issue for housing provision but also influenced the differing standards in many countries. Emlak Bankası is the first institution in Turkey with the state-given responsibility of financing and building social housing in Turkey. The Bank's 75 yearlong activities in the field of housing places the institution in a pivotal position in many aspects. Emlak Bankası played a shaping role in the housing history of Turkey with its distinct practices in both design principles and financial methods. However, the Bank cannot be considered as an institution solely responsible for housing and has a unique background regarding the political and economic characteristics and development of housing standards in Turkey. In order to identify the place of Emlak Bankası in Turkey's housing history, this study aims to examine the various housing activities of the Bank within the framework of its institutional history and urban, political and economic context of housing in Turkey. The Bank has built various types of housing throughout its years. These diverse dwellings were the results of the change in design principles and architectural processes of the Bank, constructional technologies and various cultural and social norms. Analyzing the changes in different periods, reveals a clear perspective on the Bank as a multi-layered actor in builder, financial regulator and a pioneer in setting the standards for social housing in Turkey.