Electrification of İstanbul (1878-1923)
Author
Aysal Cin, Ulaş Duygu
Advisor
Kireçci, Mehmet Akif
Date
2019-02Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
This dissertation focuses on the history of introduction and development of electrical
technology in Ottoman Istanbul with a special focus on the 1910 concession, and its
implementation, which was held to construct the first power plant in Istanbul, the
Silahtarağa Power Plant. The concession became the arena for international
competition, and revealed the critical roles of multinational companies, consortiums,
and the international banking in the electrification business of Istanbul, along with
the various diplomatic maneuvers of European and American states, which depicted
the diffusion of foreign capital into the Ottoman lands. Under this complex
competitive environment, rather than being a passive receptor of technology, the
Ottoman bureaucracy and engineers played an active, well-informed and
sophisticated role that they were able to select the appropriate technology to be
applied in Silahtarağa plant, design necessary rules and regulations for it and control
technology’s implementation stage.