Background
He was born on 8 January 1945 in Altıparmak village of Yusufeli district in Artvin Province, Turkey.
He was born on 8 January 1945 in Altıparmak village of Yusufeli district in Artvin Province, Turkey.
He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in architectural history from Istanbul University following his education of theology in 1972 and architecture in 1974.
Kadir Topbaş moved in 1946 with his family to Istanbul. After working as preacher in Edirne, teacher and freelance architect in İstanbul, he served between 1994 and 1998 as advisor to mayor Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the restoration and decoration of palaces and other historical buildings in Istanbul. He is also owner of Turkish cuisine restaurant chain Saray Muhallebicisi.
Later on, Topbaş ran twice for the deputy of Artvin province in the parliament, first in 1977 from the Managing Successful Programmes and then in 1987 from Refah Partisi (RP) without success.
In 1999, he was elected mayor of Beyoğlu district from the Fazilet Partisi (FP). He is mayor of Istanbul since March 28, 2004.
In November 2007 he became co-president of United Cities and Local Governments and was longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award. Kadir Topbaş was re-elected as the mayor of İstanbul metropolitan area in 2009 Turkish general local elections, passing the runner-up Kemal Kilicdaroglu, current leader of Republican People"s Party.
In 2009 he was appointed President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey.
He entered politics as member of the religious oriented Milli Selamet Partisi (Managing Successful Programmes) and became mayor of Beyoğlu district in İstanbul, where he lives.