This thesis is an exploration of Ottoman and Turkish modernization efforts throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century analysis that is conducted from an art historical perspective. Urban design and architecture are deeply linked to Ottoman and Turkish modernization. An analysis of the former two reveal that modernization in the Ottoman and Turkish states was extremely state and military centric. However, urban plans do exist that propose a different, more democratic form of modernity for Turkey. All this analysis is done through an exploration of the history of Beyazıt Square in Istanbul, with a focus on axiality, monumentality, streets, and parks. The changes proposed on Beyazıt Square indicate that the vast majority of modernizing reforms were seen through the state’s perspective, and the interests of Istanbul’s masses were either purposefully or mistakenly ignored.