Urban assemblages through digital platforms: the case of Istanbul

Urban assemblage is a term that denotes the emergence of novel socio-spatial relationships arising from the temporary convergence of various elements within a city. This concept offers an alternative and practical framework for examining the spatial interactions between digital platforms and urban environments. The chapter aims to explore and illustrate how the three leading digital platforms within the e-commerce sector in Türkiye perceive the spatial dimensions of Istanbul by the year 2024. Initially, the chapter assesses the alignment between Istanbul's administrative geography and the intermediation geography employed by these digital platforms. Subsequently, it examines the implications of this alignment within the framework of shifting centre-edge relationships, as well as the evolution of borders and territories within the city. The research reveals that digital platforms have established temporary spatial ties across much of Istanbul and that a unique urban assemblage has emerged in the city.