Movement Activity and Strategic Design Study for Istanbul's ...

576 A. S. Kubat, Ö. Ertekin, E. Eyüboglu, Ö. Özer.
and using the area. On the other hand residential uses are located in the upper levels of
the buildings or in the areas with lower integration values and, therefore, lower potentials
to attract through movement. Following this same strategy, the proposed “special development
project zones” and the mix land-use zones are located in the close neighboring of
the Galata core, to support and utilize the anticipated high levels of activity there.
The waterfront area is transformed into a pedestrian-friendly, well used urban space
enriched with green areas, cultural activities, and linked with the Galata Port Project on
the east and Persembe Pazari project on the east of the seaside zone. It is also proposed
to create visual and physical pedestrian links in between the seaside and the core of
the Galata. Enhancing the north-south links between the Galata core and the seaside
development area as well as enhancing the existing link from Galata to the commercial
strip namely Istiklal Street will be essential as this enhancement and will also encourage
people using the ports to enter and navigate the historical core.
7.3. Significant design solutions
7.3.1. A bridge from Tunel to Sishane
The existing bridge connection from Tunel Square to historical Municipality building can
be used as an entrance to the Sishane Square. This can be created by converting and
redesigning the old Municipality building to socio-cultural activity. This can be another
alternative for the high pedestrian flows of Istiklal Street to reach the Hendek Street.
7.3.2. A proposal for the link between Galata Square and Yuksek Kaldirim Street, opening
a window from Galata to Karakoy
An important new link from Hendek Street to the Yuksek Kaldirim Street is created
despite of their height differences. This new link aims to construct an internal spine for
the Galata core area and reintegrate it to the existing center of activity. The alignment
of the new link with the Galata Square enables it to benefit from the existing high levels
of pedestrian movements there. The development of this new link however, has to be
accompanied by the development of a new cultural, social, tourism, and leisure activity
zone in order to create an attraction “pole” at this location. The pedestrianised Yuksek
Kaldirim street and the Karakoy port in its extension is a potential which will provide
the main pedestrian flow of such a destination.
The central element of the design proposals is the extension of the Hendek Street,
both to the north and south, to create a new pedestrian route between Kasimpasa zone
to the Yuksek Kaldirim Street. The creation of this link involves a number of careful
physical transformations, which require further analysis. These changes, however, are close
to “conservative surgery” of the historical core than radical transformation of the urban
fabric. The idea here is to gain maximum benefit from a minimal change.
The optimal alignment of Hendek Street has been established and tested using the
findings of Space Syntax study. This alignment creates a direct line of sight and access
from Hendek Street to the Yuksek Kaldirim Street (Figure 288). The Kasimpasa zone, the
underground station, Yuksek Kaldirim and the ports are all connected by this alignment.
A considerable design approach is proposed by opening up the ground floor of the
building/s or the urban fabric and transforming it to a public passageway (Figure ??).
This design appears in principal to resolve the problem of access without damaging the
structure or the facade of the listed buildings. Further architectural work is required for