This research explores how urban design can contribute to preserving and strengthening the historical and cultural identity of Küçükçekmece, a district in Istanbul facing rapid and large-scale urbanization. The focus is on finding a balance between heritage and modernization, emphasizing the importance of protecting local identity and traditions within a changing spatial and social context.

Through fieldwork and conversations with residents, the study reveals a deep pride in local heritage alongside growing concerns about the erosion of identity caused by large-scale developments. These insights underline the potential of urban design to act as a bridge between past and future by preserving the historical essence of the area while guiding sustainable and inclusive urban growth.

By approaching design not as a neutral intervention but as a cultural act rooted in place, this project proposes a site-specific strategy in which memory, space, and community are interwoven to shape a more resilient urban future.