Socially Oriented Approaches in Cities—Hasanpasa Gasworks and Gasworks Environmental Volunteers

Istanbul Kadikoy–Hasanpasa Gasworks lost its function and closed in 1993, but in 2021, it was reopened for use as a culture and art center. In the transformation decisions of the gasworks, the Gasworks Environmental Volunteers, consisting of the people of the environment, have played an active role for 27 years and continue to play a role after the transformation. This study examines the impact and efforts of Gasworks Environmental Volunteers before and after the transformation and describes a collective struggle in the participatory management of heritage. The aim is to reveal the importance of public participation and non-governmental organizations in the transformation of cultural heritage structures and afterward. The study was conducted with qualitative research methods such as face-to-face interviews, observations, and literature research. As a result of the study, it has been shown that the transformation of heritage buildings, when done with the participation of the public and a human-centered conservation approach, brings positive results to the city and is sustainable when the people of the environment take part in the administration after the transformation. Society’s awareness about the heritage areas is expected to increase, and it will be a factor in the transformation decisions by protecting the heritage.