Industrialization Process  

Industrialization Process

Beginning of the industrialization, on of the most distinctive features of Zeytinburnu, dates back to Fatih era. Establishment of tanneries in Kazlıçeşme after conquest of Istanbul made the area as the center of leather business.

With industrialization efforts of Ottoman Empire in 19th century, an iron foundry producing steel pipes, rails, plow, cannons, sword, stiletto and similar metal items was founded in the area in addition to many factories and tanneries in Zeytinburnu lined up towards Küçükçekmece. 
Bezmen Woven Factory is established in 1937 in Kazlıçeşme, a place gathering leather producers and dealers.  This is the first industrial facility other than leather business.  In effect, two of 6 woven factories established in Istanbul before 1930 were situated in today's Zeytinburnu district.  Especially after 1940's, textile industry selected places in the area.  The area became an attraction point for industry when between Zeytinburnu and Bakırköy was allocated to organized industry in 1947, and business places engaged in leather, woven, cement and other fields gathered around the area and many new industrial facilities established.  
On 4 August 1949, vicinity of Maltepe and Kazlıçeşme-Zeytinburnu was established as heavy industry area.  325 factory and production facilities were established from 1955 to 1973.  Today, there are more than one thousand industrial facility big and little mixed together. 

With "decentralization" decision initiated in 1980's, Tuzla Organized Industrial Zone plan is prepared in 1982 for leather producers who had been settled in Kazlıçeşme for more than 500 years, and they moved to new industrial zone in Tuzla from the beginning of 1990's.  Remaining leather production facilities creating an unhealthy environment were completely destroyed and a larger area that can be used for recreation purposes was gained. 
Today, one of the physiologic features of Zeytinburnu relatively less known compare to this environment and worth to be mentioned is the port.  Zeytinburnu Port "Zeyport" constructed in place of old sand wharfs in Zeytinburnu shore towards Bakırköy commissioned in 1997.  The ports was built to create a alternative to Salıpazarı for suitcase trading made mostly with Black Sea Countries and that was rather made through Salıpazarı Wharf.  It can be said that the pors that was built and has been operated by public sector is quite useful and productive in terms of its construction purpose.