The Effects of High-Rise Buildings on Historical City Centers: A Case of Istanbul, Ankara, Moscow and London

In this study, the relationship between high-rise buildings and historical city centers is examined. Since the 21st century, high-rise buildings have been spreading rapidly all over the world. Considering that these structures are becoming more visible in urban centers, the development of high-rise buildings in harmony with historical buildings is important in terms of preserving the originality and character of cities. Within the scope of the study, the effects of high-rise buildings on historical urban centers were investigated by using the data in the literature. Analyzes were made on four (4) different sample cities; Istanbul, London, Moscow and Ankara. The boundaries of the historical centers in each city were determined on the maps. The relationship of high-rise buildings (+150 meters) in cities with historical centers has been questioned through the historical development of high-rise buildings and urban building policies. According to the study findings; it has been determined that cities, except London, do not have strategic measures and planning policies in terms of high-rise construction. In addition, the high-rise planning in Istanbul and Ankara shows different characteristics compared to the building planning in Moscow and London. While tall buildings develop scattered and spontaneously in the cities of our country, buildings tend to cluster together in the examples of Moscow and London. When this construction method is applied in a controlled and planned manner, it provides construction in harmony with the environment and the development of defined and controlled areas. In conclusion; in the cities of our country, it is important and necessary to develop planning policies for high-rise buildings, and as in the examples in Europe, the buildings should be clustered in defined and strategic regions.