The Beyoglu district is situated in the European north bank of the Golden Horn, the body of water that separates the European (Eastern Thrace) and Asian (Anatolia) sides of the City of Istanbul. The population of the Beyoglu district is approximately 250,000.

Beyoglu is considered to be the cultural centre of Istanbul, boasting a variety of creative industries and a rich historical and cultural diversity. The main street of the district, Istikal Caddesi, is a pedestrian area lined with shops, cafés, patisseries, restaurants, pubs, wine houses, bookshops, theatres and art galleries. Beyoglu is also the home of the Istanbul Modern Museum.

The Beyoglu Municipality recently implemented the ‘Sparkling Beyoglu’ project, which aims to enliven deserted streets in the district through a catenary lighting system. Implemented in 2009, the ongoing project has resulted in 50 kilometres of road receiving light in the evenings. Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan emphasises the importance of streets being lit at night, which he maintains fosters the development of social activities and trade and increases security. The catenary lighting system, which operates by installing overhead lighting fixtures every twenty metres on tension lines mounted on building exteriors, offers better lighting and uses less electricity than traditional lampposts.