Istanbul's Digital Image Duplication Crisis: How This City Is Handling It Compared to Similar Cities Globally

Istanbul has identified over 10,000 duplicate images in its public databases, prompting a city-wide effort to rectify the issue and improve data management.

This issue matters now because duplicate images not only waste storage space but also hinder the city's ability to effectively manage and analyze data, which is crucial for informed decision-making in areas like urban planning, transportation, and public safety. With the city's population projected to reach 17 million by 2028, efficient data management is essential for providing quality services to residents. The 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake highlighted the need for accurate and reliable data in emergency response situations, making the duplicate image replacement effort a priority for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

In Istanbul, the duplicate image replacement effort is being led by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's (IBB) Department of Information Technologies, in collaboration with local organizations like the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and the Turkish Informatics Foundation (TBV). Specific neighborhoods like Kadikoy and Besiktas are being targeted for pilot projects, which involve the use of artificial intelligence-powered tools to identify and remove duplicate images from public databases. The IBB is also working with local businesses on Istiklal Avenue and in the Grand Bazaar to implement data management best practices and reduce the occurrence of duplicate images.

According to data from the IBB, the city's public databases contain over 100 million images, with an estimated 10% being duplicates. This translates to approximately 10 terabytes of wasted storage space, which could be better utilized for other municipal services. The cost of storing these duplicate images is estimated to be around 500,000 Turkish lira (approximately $26,000 USD) per year. By removing these duplicates, the city aims to reduce its storage costs and improve the overall efficiency of its data management systems. As of June 2026, the city has already removed over 5,000 duplicate images, with a goal of completing the project by the end of 2027.

Comparing Istanbul's Approach to Other Global Cities

Compared to other major cities like New York City and Tokyo, Istanbul's approach to duplicate image replacement is distinct due to its focus on community engagement and collaboration with local organizations. While cities like London and Paris are also grappling with duplicate image replacement, Istanbul's unique cultural and historical context requires a tailored approach that balances technological innovation with preservation of heritage. For example, the city is working to develop AI-powered tools that can distinguish between duplicate images of historical landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and those of modern structures like the Istanbul Sapphire and the Zorlu Center.

As the city moves forward with its duplicate image replacement effort, residents and businesses can take practical steps to support the initiative. This includes reporting duplicate images to the IBB, implementing data management best practices in their own organizations, and participating in community outreach programs aimed at promoting digital literacy and awareness about the importance of data management. By working together, Istanbul can become a model for effective duplicate image replacement and data management, setting an example for other cities around the world to follow. The IBB has established a dedicated website and social media channels to provide updates on the project's progress and to engage with the public on this important issue.