In the book "Istanbul: Memories and the City," Orhan Pamuk reflects on his experiences of growing up in Istanbul, particularly in the Cihangir neighborhood. He describes how this vibrant area revealed to him that the city is not just a faceless collection of people living in isolation but rather a rich tapestry of interconnected communities. Each neighborhood fosters its own unique relationships and shared histories among the residents.

Through his observations, Pamuk emphasizes that Cihangir helped him understand the deeper social fabric of Istanbul, where individuals are aware of one another's lives—be it celebrating events or mourning losses. This realization transformed his perception of the city from a chaotic urban jungle to a series of intimate, intertwined neighborhoods, highlighting the importance of human connections in an urban environment.