In a recently published BBC article, journalist Katie Nadworny explores the threat of water shortages in Istanbul, one of the world’s largest cities. The article examines what might happen if the city’s water supplies run dry — a pressing concern as water scarcity continues to place enormous pressure on both residents and policymakers.
To shed light on the issue, the BBC consulted researchers from the ‘Water in Istanbul’ project, which began in 2021 thanks to funding from the British Academy, Istanbul Technical University, and the University of Edinburgh. The project, led by BIAA Director Dr Lutgarde Vandeput, brought together archaeologists, historians, planners, and social scientists to examine Istanbul’s historical and contemporary water management practices.
Prof Jim Crow, BIAA Chair, underscored the importance of historical knowledge in addressing current challenges: “It’s facile to say you can learn from the past, but the experience of the past can actually be very valuable in informing practices in the present, in the future. And that’s different from learning from the past.” His statement highlights the potential of historical water systems to inspire sustainable solutions today.
Dr Ender Peker elaborated on the project’s dual approach: “The main idea was actually to look at the historical pattern of water collection systems in Istanbul and explore how it was managed in the past. So one group, mainly archaeologists and historians, were working to understand the historical pattern of water management, and the other group, consisting of planners and social scientists, led by İlhan and me, focused on contemporary challenges. Mainly, the idea was to learn from past experiences and somehow modify and implement them into the current condition.”
Dr Akgün İlhan warned of the growing strain on water resources as Istanbul’s population continues to rise: “It becomes difficult to manage the situation as the population keeps growing. With more people, the demand for water rises. Local authorities feel obliged to cover this ever-growing demand.”
The ‘Water in Istanbul: Rising to the Challenge?’ project highlights the complexity of balancing historical insights with modern infrastructure needs. While past practices — such as intricate aqueduct systems and cistern networks — demonstrate ingenuity in water conservation, contemporary solutions must account for rapid urbanisation, climate change, and social dynamics.
Find out more about BIAA research activities and projects here: https://biaa.ac.uk/research-at-the-biaa/.