INVENTORY PROJECT FOR THE CULTURAL ASSETS OF ISTANBUL: A MODEL FOR DIGITIZATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract. Directorate of Cultural Heritage Preservation of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality had started an Inventory Project in 2015, for gathering the varying information of historical and cultural assets. Although there had been previous studies conducted by various institutions or local establishments, the absence of accessibility to whole updated database of historical values was a matter of concern, both for government and research studies. For this reason, it was aimed to create and update Istanbul Historical Database. The Directorate assumed the responsibility of creating the database and providing its accessibility through web and publications. It was also aimed to provide accurate information and multimedia, not only for existing but also further projects in respect of cultural heritage and preservation. There have been 41 people from different professions such as architects, restorers, urban planners, archaeologists and art historians being employed in this work. A huge amount of data including old maps, photographs, documents, drawings and projects were brought together and classified according to their contents. Afterwards, all registered values including monuments, civil architectural or urban elements were visited, observed and photographed. Also some buildings or assets were proposed to Preservation Boards to be registered. Furthermore, 74 types of data including location, architectural description, conservation state, materials, problems and bibliography were recorded. Database allows printing 4 types of inventory forms representing current state of the value. Database was integrated with spatial data to produce analytical maps. Database created by the project has been shared via internet and books to lead other projects about cultural heritage.