Remarkable ingenuity is on display at Postane, a hub for artists, activists, social enterprises and journalists in Istanbul, Turkey. The building, originally an ancient post office belonging to colonial Britain, was thoughtfully repurposed into a space for collaborations, discussions and solidarity. The rooftop garden, located next to the iconic Galata Tower (see pictures), features a variety of plants, including maize, tomatoes, ornamental flowers and herbs. There’s also a seed bank, enabling people from all over the world to share seeds. The garden is natural and organic, meaning there is no use of toxic chemical fertilisers and dangerous pesticides. Food For Thought writer Brezh Malaba (pictured below), a Bertha Accelerator Fellow, is in residence at Postane.
Postane is the Turkish word for “post office”. The Postane team says the name refers both directly to the building’s own past, as well as the hub’s mission to become a centre for communication, networking, knowledge production and dissemination for activists.
The centre is a vibrant metropolitan hub, based in a mega city with a population of over 16 million. The city faces many challenges, notably gentrification. Postane has become a hub for Istanbul’s civic and cultural life, providing spaces for collaborations as well as the sharing of experiences and knowledge.
