Utilities in Istanbul

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Basilica Cistern

Utilities in Istanbul covers the topic of public utility services in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.

Water supply

Further information: Water supply and sanitation in Istanbul

The first water supply systems which were built in Istanbul date back to the foundation of the city. Two of the greatest

Valens Aqueduct. These aqueducts were built in order to channel water from the Halkalı area in the western edge of the city to the Beyazıt district in the city center, which was known as the Forum Tauri in the Roman period.[1] After reaching the city center, the water was later collected in the city's numerous cisterns, such as the famous Philoxenos (Binbirdirek) Cistern and the Basilica (Yerebatan) Cistern
.


Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned Mimar Sinan, his engineer and architect-in-chief, to improve the water needs of the city. Sinan constructed the Kırkçeşme Water Supply System in 1555.[1] In later years, with the aim of responding to the ever-increasing public demand, water from various springs was channeled to the public fountains by means of small supply lines; see German Fountain.

Today, Istanbul has a chlorinated and filtered water supply and a sewage disposal system managed by the government agency İSKİ.[2] There are also several private sector organizations distributing clean water.

Electricity

See also: Electricity sector in Turkey

Electricity distribution services are covered by the state-owned TEK. The first electricity production plant in the city, Silahtarağa Termik Santrali, was established in 1914 and continued to supply electricity until 1983.[3]

Post and telecommunications

The Ottoman Ministry of Post and Telegraph was established in the city on October 23, 1840.

New Mosque.[4] In 1876 the first international mailing network between Istanbul and the lands beyond the vast Ottoman Empire—which, in that year, stretched from the borders with Austria-Hungary and Russia at north to the Ottoman provinces of Yemen and Sudan at south and Tunisia at west—was established.[4] In 1901 the first money transfers were made through the post offices and the first cargo services became operational.[4]

Electric telegraph

Abdülmecid I who personally tested the new invention.[5] Following this successful test, installation works of the first telegraph line between Istanbul and Edirne began on August 9, 1847.[6] In 1855 the Telegraph Administration was established.[4]

Telephone

In July 1881 the first

Büyük Postane (Grand Post Office) in Sirkeci.[6]

Modern communications

The first automatic

video conference in Europe was realized in Istanbul.[6] On February 23, 1994, GSM technology was established in the city.[6] A nationwide Internet network and connection with the World Wide Web was established in 1996.[6]

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ a b "İSKİ İstanbul Su ve Kanalizasyon İdaresi: Tarihce". Istanbul water and sewerage administration (history). Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2006.
  2. ^ "İSKİ Administration". Istanbul water and sewerage administration. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2006.
  3. ^ "Silahtarağa Santral becomes Santralistanbul Museum". Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e PTT Chronology Archived September 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Istanbul City Guide: Beylerbeyi Palace Archived October 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Türk Telekom: History Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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