Istanbul

Istanbul Historic Peninsula Conservation Study

Istanbul Project: Istanbul Historic Peninsula Conservation Study by Nuran Zeren Gulersoy, (Project Leader)Azime Tezer, Reyhan Yigiter, Kerem Koramaz, Zeynep Gunay

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İstanbul Technical University, Faculty of ArchitectureUrban and Environmental Planning and Research Center

world heritage project

Istanbul Project

UNESCO-WHCIstanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture andITU Urban and Environmental Planning and Research CenterContract No: 700.624.0

PROJECT LEADER

Nuran ZEREN GULERSOY, Prof., dipl.arch-urban planner, Istanbul Technical University (ITU)

NATIONAL EXPERTS

Zeynep AHUNBAY, President of ICOMOS Turkey

Tulin Selmin OZDURAN, Representative of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS

Minja YANG, Deputy Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Former Manager for EU-Funded Feasibility Study on the Rehabilitation of Fatih District, Istanbul (1998)

Yves DAUGE, Senator of Indre et Loire, Mayor of Chinon, France

David MICHELMORE, Building Conservationist, Chair of ICOMOS Wood Committee, UK, Project Manager of EU-Funded Project on the Rehabilitation of Fatih District of Historic Peninsula of Istanbul (starting in January 2003)

STUDY GROUP

Azime TEZER, Assist.Prof., urban planner, ITU

Reyhan YIGITER, Assist.Prof., urban planner, ITU

Kerem KORAMAZ, Res.Assist., urban planner, ITU

Zeynep GUNAY, Res.Assist., urban planner, ITU

Buket ONEM, dipl.arch-urban planner, ITU

Kerem Yavuz ARSLANLI, urban planner, ITU

Istanbul ProjectIstanbul Historic Peninsula Conservation Study

Cases of

ZeyrekSuleymaniyeYenikapi

By Nuran ZEREN GULERSOY(Project Leader)

Azime TEZER

Reyhan YIGITER

Kerem KORAMAZ

Zeynep GUNAY

Taskisla – 11434437 Taksim / Istanbul (Turkey)Tel: (+90) 212 249 28 34Fax: (+90) 212 251 78 31e-mail: [email protected]: http://atlas.cc.itu.edu.tr/~csuygar



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summary of entry

Istanbul Project


Cases of

ZeyrekSuleymaniyeYenikapi

By Nuran ZEREN GULERSOY(Project Leader)

Azime TEZER

Reyhan YIGITER

Kerem KORAMAZ

Zeynep GUNAY

Molla Zeyrek Mosque SuleymaniyeMosque

Church of Surp TartiosPatihiminos

Yenikapi

Madrasa of KirmastiSuleymaniye

Zeyrekhane

YenikapiSuleymaniyeZeyrek

Street Views

MAIN FRAMES OF THE STUDY

Cultural heritage is living evidence of past that shapes future. There are two fundamental issues being discussed throughout Europe. One of these is the documentation of unique European Cultural Heritage and the other is the concept of conservation changing towards an understanding of revitalization which brings the issue of regaining economic value of cultural assets with the determination of spatial interventions required for use and reuse considering the socio-economic relations. These specific issues bring the question of documentation andintegrated conservation planning approaches to provide continuity in heritage.

Turkey has an important portion of cultural heritage reserve throughout centuries, that Istanbul is as sure the most important. Though, there still exist some fundamental issues in Turkish conservationsystem that must be considered. To summarize, these issues are lack of strategic approaches toenhance the socio-economic role of urban heritage and to consider conservation policies within planning process; insufficient tools and financial resources; and inconsistency of belief in the use and necessity of conservation. Istanbul Project leads in this manner an integrated approach of conservation with a comprehensive documentary in World Heritage Sites.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to formulate general planning determinants and to propose the conservation strategies that maintain the appropriate and contemporary development of the social and physical/environmental fabric of the chosen areas of Istanbul Historic Peninsula, namely Zeyrek, Suleymaniye and Yenikapi while preserving their historical, archaeological, natural, architectural and functional values.

METHOD OF THE STUDY

The study contains four volumes. The first volume presents a brief summary of the conservation approach to cultural assets in Turkey. The other three volumes contain detailed physical and social survey, evaluation and conservation proposals of the case studies. The cases are three of the scarce historic districts where the original settlement pattern have been preserved. Zeyrek and Suleymaniye all bearing importance from historical, aesthetic and architectural perspectives, are such that those areas have been included in the List of World Heritage Sites in 1985, but today, they are unfortunately under the threat to be included in List of World Heritage in Danger because of lack of effective and continuous conservation attempts by competent institutions.

Each Case Study contains a brief definition of the area and its history; goals and objectives of the conservation and development activity. It also includes physical analysis as related to transportation, land use and building use, building condition, storey height, construction material, land ownership, building occupancy, building compatibility with the physical structure of the area, and listedbuildings. In addition, the study comprises social studies aimed at displaying the demographic, social and cultural aspects of the residents of the listed and non-listed buildings in the area. The evaluation of the study in dimensions of fieldwork and conservation and planning decisions related to land use and buildings, transportation and urban fabric, listed and non-listed properties and socio-cultural development considering the goal and objectives. Each case is complemented with implementation financial management framework.

ARGUMENTS AND FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Istanbul Project is an outstanding example for conservation of cultural assets in Turkey. At the heart, there is an integrated approach to urban conservation and historic revitalization combining a number of actions that address environmental, social and economic concerns facing world heritage sites of universal concern. The need to balance physical, social and economic elements and to assure implementation and financial strategy are new attempts for the Historic Peninsula, also for Turkey of building common basis within the content of European Union membership. Secondly, it provides a comprehensive documentary of cultural assets including three-dimensional evaluation. Finally, it brings concrete evidence that Turkey is attempting to be active in conservation of World CulturalHeritage, at the time to be excluded from the List.

It is hoped that Istanbul Project will be a successful example, a guideline for future conservation projects to be developed in Turkey.

Examples of Listed Civil Architecture


Examples of Listed Monumental Architecture



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introduction to world heritage project

Source: World Heritage Center

Historic Peninsula of Istanbul has always been the focal point of the Greater City of Istanbul containing city’s principal historical, architectural and archeological sites. Historic Areas of Peninsula, including Zeyrek and Suleymaniye, were included in List of World Heritage in 1985 to promote those significant surroundings.

By 2000s, this outstanding area is being threatened to be excluded from the List byUNESCO experts, because of the lack of effective and continuous conservation attempts by competent institutions.

However, the conservation of urban fabric of Zeyrek, Suleymaniye and Yenikapi for futuregenerations represents not only national but also universal responsibility.

Istanbul Project leads in this manner, an outstanding example for conservation of cultural assets in Turkey of;

• a world heritage project,

• a comprehensive documentary of cultural assets,

• an integrated conservation and development approach.

The Aim:

To formulate general planning determinants and to propose the conservation strategies that maintain the appropriate and contemporary development of the social and physical/environmental fabric of the chosen areas, namely Zeyrek, Suleymaniye and Yenikapi, while preserving their historical, archaeological, natural, architectural and functional values.

The Methodology:

The study contains four volumes.

First volume presents a brief summary of the conservation approach to cultural assets in Turkey.

Other three volumes contain detailed physical and social survey, evaluation, conservation and planning decisions of the case studies; Zeyrek, Suleymaniyeand Yenikapi.

world heritage historic areas of istanbul

Located on the Bosphorus Peninsula between Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and Marmara, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than two thousand years.

• Represents a masterpiece of human creative genious.

• Exhibits an important interchange of human values.

• Bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition.

• Outstanding examples of buildings illustrates signigicant stages of human history.

Methodology forIstanbul Project

Each Case Study contains:

• a brief definition of the chosen site.

• a set of goals and objectives.

• detailed survey and analysis.

• evaluation of survey and analysis.

• conservation and planningdecisions.

• implementation and financial management framework.

Brief DefinitionBrief Definition

Development of Goal andObjectives

Development of Goal andObjectives

Survey and AnalysisSurvey and Analysis

Evaluation of Survey andAnalysis

Evaluation of Survey andAnalysis

Development of Conservationand Planning Decisions

Development of Conservationand Planning Decisions

Identification of Implementation and Financial

Management Model

Identification of Implementation and Financial

Management Model

A brief account of the chosen site and its history

Physical analysis related to transportation, land and building use, building conditions, storey heights, construction materials, land ownership, building occupancy, building compatibility, listed lots and buildings.

Social studies aimed at displaying the demographic, social and cultural aspects of the residents.

Planning decisions related to land use and buildings, transportation and urban fabric, listed and non-listed properties and socio-cultural development considering the goal and objectives

Appropriate and contemporary goals and objectives for modern urbanization, transportation, townscape and landscaping imperatives are developed while taking into account the prospects for conservation and development.

Physical and social data gatheredfrom area is reviewed according togoal and objectives andfunctionality in accordance withtotal urban fabric is evaluated.

General Assessment of Conservation Approach in

Turkey

General Assessment of Conservation Approach in

Turkey

A brief summary of conservationapproach to cultural assets in Turkey and Historic Peninsula.



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a world heritage project

zeyrek

Zeyrek is situated on the fourth hill of Historic Peninsula. One of the mostsignificant example of ByzantionArchitecture, Pantokrator Monasteryfounded by Empress Eirene in the 12th century, and timber houses of OttomanArchitecture gives the unique identity toZeyrek. Included in WHL in 1985.

Conservation Planning Area: 11.33 hectar

Population: 6000

suleymaniye

Suleymaniye is situated on the third hill of Historic Peninsula. One of the finestexamples of Islamic Architecture built byArchitect Sinan between 1550-1557 is Suleymaniye Mosque. Included in WHL in 1985.


Population: 9217

YENIKAPI

Yenikapi is located at south shores of Historic Peninsula. Until 1960s, successedin conserving its unique architecturalcharacteristics. Church of Surp TartiosPartihiminios is the only monumentalstructure in the area. After the constructionof Kennedy Street through the sea shore, has changed both physically and socially.


Population: 1400

Zeyrek, Suleymaniye and Yenikapi are three of the historic districts of Istanbul Historic Peninsula, where the original settlement pattern have been preserved.

In Zeyrek, attempts are presently directed towards upgrading the surroundings of the Pantokrator with the intention of raising public awareness for the preservation of the area and attracting the attention of investors or sponsors.

In Suleymaniye, Greater Municipality has initiated work towards developing a rehabilitation project that will in the long run help the area to attain its old and respectable status.

Yenikapi has never attracted the public attention as Zeyrek or Suleymaniye did in the sense of protection. However, Greater Municipality of Istanbul included Yenikapi in the content of Historic Area Revitalisation Projects in 2001.



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a world heritage project

Appropriate and contemporary goals and objectives for modern urbanization, transportation, townscape and landscaping imperatives are developed in the secondstage of the study, while taking into account the prospects for conservation and development.

goal and objectives

To formulate general planning determinations that maintain the appropriate and contemporary development of the environmental fabric of Urban Sites and that support economic regeneration while preserving its historical and architectural and functional values; and to improve detailed development plans beyond these decisions.

Functional Qualification

Optimal Communications

Social and Cultural Integration

A Positive Environment for the Architectural and Urban

Quality

A Positive Environment Depends on Conditions of

Health and Comfort

Optimum Cost andEconomic Support

Flexibility and Applicability

PLANNING OBJECTIVES

PLANNING GOAL

• To emphasize the functional role in relation to the integration with other neighboring residential, labor, recreational areas, Historic Peninsula and the city center of Istanbul.

• To utilize new functions while changing the character of existing unsuitable socio-economic functions to provide continuity in economic progress while preserving the historic urban pattern.

• To create new distribution network for existing services while integrating them with new achievements. • To provide functionally sufficient and efficient places for both inhabitants and visitors, while improving

living standards.

• To find flexible solutions to provide opportunity to change and further development in time and space.

• To utilize the resources of the country, organizations charged with implementation, volunteers and those of the local people to ensure optimum cost/quality ratios at every stage of planning.

• To assist in finding financial resources in the process of implementation.• To provide economic inputs to manage continuity in urban heritage to live.• The creation of new distribution network for services by supporting interventions and encouragements

to raise the density of activities that provide new job opportunities.

• To provide optimal conditions by climate control both indoors and outdoors.• To provide optimum lighting conditions indoors and outdoors using natural and artificial light.• To ensure the cleanliness of the environment by reconsidering garbage collection, and by placing

garbage bins and containers at suitable locations.

• To promote an environmental network that puts emphasis on the influential role in the urban fabric of natural, historic, monumental and civil architectural values.

• To improve the architectural quality by preserving, repairing, upgrading, demolishing unfitting structures and harmonizing them with the character and scale of the site consistent with contemporary architecture.

• To generate new housing opportunities to constitute new social structure in the sense of conservation.• To prevent historic urban pattern and infrastructure to be ruined and to eliminate insufficiencies.

• To raise public awareness on conservation of cultural heritage by providing an education milieu. • To enhance the understanding of conservation study to provide development in social structure.• To emphasize the conservation, planning and implementation process with full participation of

inhabitants.

• To arrange the pedestrian routes and vehicle transportation network sufficiently for the needs of the existing and proposed activities.

• To connect sites of various activities having importance with a hierarchy of pedestrianization, parking lots and bus stops.

• To provide parking lots for residents and for long or short period visitors.




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a comprehensive documentary

Use of Land and BuildingGround Floor

Construction MaterialCondition of the Building

Land Ownership Listed Structures

Occupancy of the Buildings

Overlapping Existing Situation to 1933J. Pervititch Cadastral Map

Zeyrek

Zeyrek Conservation Area boundaries were first determined in 1974 and ratified by General Statute in 1987.

A total of 469 buildings are surveyed in thestudy, that 51% of them are listed. 86% of the listed buildings, are defined as civil architecture. Molla Zeyrek Mosque is one of the most important monumental structures in the region, and the most symbolic of it.

ZEYREK survey and analysis

Zeyrek is one of the historical settlement areas in the city of Istanbul that has an urban fabric being worthy of preservation. However, most of the listed buildings are deteriorated and in bad physical condition. Under the pressures of other functions spreading through out the area, the dominant residential function is being transformed to commercial, office and hotel functions. The Manifaturacılar Bazaar (shop district selling fabrics) is another impact of this transformation.

Harmony With the ArchitecturalCharacter



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Playground in Zeyrek

Street Life in Zeyrek

Social Life in Zeyrek

Zeyrek

SOCIAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS IN ZEYREK

Changes in social structure and the lack of interest in conservation studies create more deterioration within the general framework of the Zeyrek district. As well as restoration of listed buildings, the precautions to enhance environmental quality are vital. Effective conservation and integrated conservation approaches are necessary to enhance the environs and to create better income opportunities for the people living in the area by re-functioning regulations along with residential use. These regulations are essential for creating alive historical environments.

The social structure of the area changed completely after the 1950’s. This change has beenreflected in the spatial structure, too. Prior users’ve been moved outwards and immigrants from Eastern and South-Eastern Anatolia settled in the area. Migrant families are mainly in the low-income level. The lack of interest in conservation and lack of feeling of possession accelerate the deterioration of timber buildings. Multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings were built after the demolition of traditional ones resulting in a lack of harmony with the traditional urban texture.

Demographic Structure

Most of the families are extended families of more than 5 people in Zeyrek. This stems from the increasing immigration rates from economically undeveloped settlements of Southeast or East Anatolia regions.

Zeyrek has not much commercial potential that it is more of a housing district. The major population of residents in the planning area are housewives and self-employees.

The number of fathers with no income is high in Zeyrek. A higher percentage of fathers earn between 62-124 USD in Zeyrek concentrating on marginal sector.

Building-User Relationship

Most of the families are tenants in the district. There is a small portion of families living in the building free of charge. Almost half of the residents have lived in that residence for a period of less than 5 years. The continuous immigration from economically undeveloped regions of Turkey creates a dynamic mobile population profile.

Social Communication Interaction Levels

52% of the inhabitants surveyed in the study have relatives in the same district. This is a general issue in historic areas used as primary migration nodes.

There are nearly no common places for neighbourhood gatherings in Zeyrek, neither green areas. Newly opened cafes as Zeyrekhane are inefficient in serving inhabitants.

User’s Opinions About Urban Conservation

It was determined that a small portion of residents, especially tenants, has a true understanding of conservation area for Zeyrek. However, the residents’ thoughts are in the direction of the preservation of listed buildings to beautify the district. The willingness to participate in neighborhood beautification efforts with their neighbors is 64%, giving the evidence for active public for futureconservation efforts.

Social structure analysis covers the demographic and socio-economic aspects of the inhabitants of the planning area, as well as their interactions with their environment and their expectations, their approach to urban conservation and the historical environment.

Information was gathered from households in both listed and non-listed buildings. One hundred questionnaires were prepared with 50 applied to each of listed and non-listed buildings.

ZEYREK social structure analysis



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an integrated conservation approach

Evaluation

Planning DecisionsDevelopment Plan

Zeyrek

This stage of the Study comprises of comprehensive conservation approaches within the planning strategies help to provide the revitalisation of the district with respect to traditional urban character.

ZEYREK evaluation and planning

decisions

• population anddensity

• transportation

• land use and building functions

• conservation of listed property

• non-listed buildings

In Zeyrek, the efforts are directed towards the elimination of land uses not in accordance with the traditional urban fabric of the area and the replacement of these land uses with more harmonious functions as it was envisaged in the upper-level plans.

Planning decisions areconsidered related to:

Type of Proposed Action



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Townscape Analysis of Accessibility

Townscape Analysis of Accessibility


Urban Design Project

Townscape Analysis of Visual Quality

Visual Quality in Fazilet Street

Zeyrek

Visual potential in urban historic quarter toregain authentic architectural and urban characteristics is evaluated in this stage.

In the survey and townscape analysis of Zeyrek urban historic quarter, three-dimensional data is used. Each townscape parameter framed on conceptual evaluation of urban space is considered on the model.

ZEYREK urban design project

Harmony with the Architectural Character

Harmony with theArchitectural Character in

Fazılet Street

Three Dimensional Evaluation of Historic Townscape in Zeyrek



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Existing Uses of Zeyrek



ZeyrekhaneMolla Zeyrek Mosque and Zeyrekhane

Zeyrek

The 1/500 scale Urban Design Project isdeveloped in the surrounding of Molla ZeyrekMosque. This area forms the heart of the district, with the streets of city blocks that are open to the Mosque.

ZEYREK urban design project

Proposed Uses of Zeyrek

Facade of Fazilet Street

EXISTING

PROPOSED



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Harmony with the ArchitecturalCharacter

Condition of the Building

Listed Structures

Construction Material

Land Ownership

Occupancy of the Buildings

Historic Monuments (Muller Map)

Suleymaniye

Suleymaniye Conservation Area boundarieswere first declared in 1977 and ratified in 1987. According to survey analysis, 405 of total 1557 buildings in the area are listed-buildings. Suleymaniye Mosque, Kalenderhane and Vefa Mosque aresignificant examples for monumental buildings of which constitute 15.3% of thelisted-buildings.

SULEYMANIYE survey and analysis

Suleymaniye is an important node for historical townscape of Istanbul. Monumental buildings constitute an important defining role of the historic area. Though, there seen an important decay in the listed timber structures. It is Istanbul’s one of the most important distribution node of goods and services. Manufaturacılar Bazaar on Atatürk Boulevard has an important impact on the development of commercial and manufactural facilities and on the type of residents, with the replacement of previous housing units by warehouses or manufactural units. The university has much effect on shaping the functional reuse of the listed structures.



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Traditional Wedding Ceremony

Street Life in Suleymaniye

Social Life in Suleymaniye

Suleymaniye

SOCIAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS IN SULEYMANIYE

The site was a place where the rich and elegant society of Ottoman administrative class were living in 17th century, unfortunately, in the 20th century, the structures were left to worker immigrants and their families from eastern regions of Turkey in order to be used for housing, manufacture or wholesale ateliers with the industrialization and development competition of Istanbul metropolis. This situation brings new discussions of gentrification in the case that the original social layout has changed competely as in Suleymaniye.

The existence of Istanbul University in the core of the planning area gives an important impact on social restructuring. The student population brings new socio-economic functions and creates a socially active environment indirectly. This potential cannot be ignored when considering development in socio-cultural dimensions.


Most of the families are extended families of more than 5 or 7 people. This stems from the increasing immigration rates from economically undeveloped settlements of Southeast or East Anatolia regions. 42.1% of the mothers and 43.9% of the fathers in the region were born in cities of South-East Anatolia, generally from Adıyaman or Mardin. Bachelor dwellings which house 8 to 10 men in one room are one of the most important problems Suleymaniye faces.

Suleymaniye is a center where most of Istanbul’s European side’s distribution of goods is supplied, therefore, it houses the basic young labour force in its content. The inhabitants mostly work in the manufacture and commercial sector and in marginal jobs.

The number of fathers with no income is rather higher in Suleymaniye compared to Zeyrek and Yenikapi. Majority of the fathers earn between 124-186 USD a month.


Most of the families are tenants. There is a small portion of families living in the building free of charge. The continuous immigration from economically undeveloped regions of Turkey creates a dynamic mobile population profile. Thus, almost half of the residents have lived in their residencesfor a period of less than 5 years.


There are a number of common places for neighbourhood gatherings in Suleymaniye, because of its functional role as a tourism, religious and education.


It was determined that a small portion of residents has a true understanding of conservation area for Suleymaniye. The residents’ thoughts are in the direction of the replacement of the listed house with a modern, multi-storey building beautifies the district.

Social structure analysis includes the demographic and socio-economic aspects of the inhabitants of the planning area, as well as their interactions with the environment, their expectations and their perspectives in defining urban conservation and historical environment.

Information was gathered from 100 households equally shared in between both listed and non-listed buildings.

SULEYMANIYE social structure analysis



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5 Block No 496 Lot No 16 Building No 5 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Timber Storey Height 3 3 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Partners Building Condition Ruined Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed

Action type Restoration

6 Block No 496 Lot No 11 Building No 6 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. timber Storey Height 3 3 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Individual Building Condition Avarage Condition Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed


7 Block No 494 Lot No 10 Building No 7 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Timber

Storey Height 2 2 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Individual Building Condition Bad Condition Harmony Harmonious

Listing Status Listed


8 Block No 496

Lot No 24-25 Building No 8-9 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Concrete Storey Height 3 3 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Partners Building Condition Very Good Condition Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Not Listed Listed

Action type Existing Building Example of the Evaluation List

Evaluation


Suleymaniye

SULEYMANIYE evaluation and planning

decisions

The efforts are directed towards the prevention of the economic role of Suleymaniye as a distribution node of goods to eliminate the landuse not in accordance with the traditional urban fabric of the area and the replacement of these land uses with more harmonious functions.


• urban fabric and transportation


• conservation of listedproperty


• socio-cultural development





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İstanbul Technical University, Faculty of ArchitectureUrban and Environmental Planning and Research CenterInterventions for Listed BuildingsUrban Design Project

an integrated conservation approachSuleymaniye

Within this step of the study, proposals for listed structures, land and building uses, transportation system and open urban spaces are figured out in a design schemewith three dimensional interventions forlisted buildings.

SULEYMANIYE urban design project

Historic quarter on the south of SuleymaniyeMosque is considered as a pilot area to develop the 1/1000 scale urban design project.

This zone is chosen forpreserving the traditional architectural character and urban fabric of SuleymaniyeUrban Historic Site.

While verifying proposals for building forms, structural additions on listed buildings are firstly removed. Infill applications on building forms are designed according to original structural conditions and story height of buildings.



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Harmony with the ArchitecturalCharacter

Condition of the Building Construction Material

Land Ownership Pervititch Map Listed Structures

Occupancy of the Building

Yenikapi

The boundary for the Yenikapi ConservationArea is determined to cover the historic core of Yali Mahallesi. There is only one monumental building in the area, which is Church of Surp Tartios Partihiminios. The church is still in use, and surrounded by newly built disharmonious structures that hide the monumental character.

Being an intersection node of maintransportation modes of Anatolian and European sides of Istanbul brings a significant impact on the area for future.

YENIKAPI survey and analysis

Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi is a typical historic urban quarter of old Istanbul with its masonry and timber civil architecture and its cultural inheritance. It has always been a residential area. However, the increasing density of manufactural sector, warehouses, car repairing activities has been damaging the residential character of the traditional physical and social layout of Yali Mahallesi recently. Suchdevelopments on main boulevards create job opportunities for residents, but does not effect theeconomical development of Yali Mahallesi as a whole. However, it still manages in preserving its urban fabric with original architectural character.



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Social Life in Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi

Playground in Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi

Street Life in Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi

Yenikapi

SOCIAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS IN YENIKAPI-YALI MAHALLESI

Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi has been succeeded in preserving its unique architectural characteristics, and housed Istanbul’s important nightclubs of high-level society till 1960s. After 1960s, with the construction of Kennedy Street through the seashore, it has changed both physically and socially.

The increase in non-residential activities caused Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi’s own residents to leave the settlement. The empty places, generally listed buildings, were filled by the immigrants of low income coming from the economically undeveloped regions of Turkey, especially from Southeast and East Anatolia regions.

The new families of low income groups in Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi, mostly working in the service sector and in marginal jobs, generally settle down the area in for a temporary period, as a step in between better conditions which will be provided by higher incomes. This temporary approach causes lack of care of the buildings or surrounding. Moreover, the low-income level of residents hardens the preservation of historic urban character of the area. When high maintenance costs added on the population who are mainly tenants, the listed buildings are left to become dilapidation.


Most of the families are extended families of more than 5 people in Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi. This stems from the increasing immigration rates from economically undeveloped settlements of East, Southeast Anatolia or Black Sea regions.

Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi houses the labour force working in near commercial centers and entertainment business. The major population of residents in the planning areas are housewives and self-employees.

The number of fathers with no income is rather high. Majority earn between more than 284 USD with the benefit of working in entertainment business.


Most of the families are tenants. There is a small portion of families living in the building free of charge. Almost half of the residents have lived in that residence for a period of less than 5 years. The continuous immigration from economically undeveloped regions of Turkey creates a dynamic mobile population profile.


Majority of the inhabitants have relatives in near surrounding. Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi is fortunate by the fact that green areas surrounding the settlement create breathing spaces for residents. However, outdoor and indoor settings are insufficient in number.


It was determined that a small portion of residents has a true understanding of conservation area.The residents’ thoughts of Yenikapi-Yali Mahallesi are in the direction of the replacement of the listed house with a modern, multi-storey building beautifies the district, thus rapid demolishment activitiesshow the reality.

The survey includes the demographic and socio-economic aspects of the inhabitants of the planning area, as well as their interactions with the environment, their expectations and their perspectives in defining urban conservation and historical environment.

Information was gathered from 70 households equally shared in between both listed and non-listed buildings.

YENIKAPI social structure analysis



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Evaluation


7 Block No 830

Lot No 12 Building No 27 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Timber+Masonry Storey Height 3 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Partners Building Condition Bad Condition Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed Action type Liberation

Block No 831 Lot No 5 Building No 4 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Timber+Masonry Storey Height 3 Use Unoccupied House Residential Ow nership Private Individual Building Condition Ruin Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed

Action type Consolidation Block No 831

Lot No 6;7 Building No 5 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Masonry Storey Height 3 2 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Partners Building Condition Good Condition Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed

Action type Liberasyon Block No 831

Lot No 10 Building No 7 Existing Situation Proposal Construction Mtrl. Timber Storey Height 3 Use Residential Residential Ow nership Private Individual Building Condition Good Condition Harmony Harmonious Listing Status Listed

Action type Liberation

Example of the Evaluation List

Yenikapi

YENIKAPI evaluation and planning

decisions

Planning efforts are directed towards the reorganization of the role of Yenikapi-Yalimahallesi to be in accordance with the traditional urban fabric of the area and to serve in its hinterland.

New economic functioning is proposed to provide new job opportunities reflecting the potential to increase the income level of inhabitants.


• urban fabric and transportation


• conservatıon of listedproperty


• socio-cultural development





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Yenikapi

YENIKAPI urban design project

Interventions for Listed Buildings

Within this step of the study, proposals for listed structures, land and building uses, transportation system and open urban spaces are figured out in a design scheme with threedimensional interventions for listed buildings.

In the study area, 1/1000 scale urban design project is developed withproposals for both land and building levels.

While verifying proposals for building forms, structural additions on listed buildings are firstly removed. Infill applications on building forms are designed according to original structural conditions and story height of buildings.



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Yenikapi

Suleymaniye

Zeyrek

Under the roof of Conservation Study, the following structures were set up to implement the plan:

An expert in both national and international levels is promoted as Project Leader, dealing with the true functioning of the whole management scheme and operating financial resources.

The secondary partners are the Project Coordinators doing the plan and the Project Consultantscontributing in evaluation and decision-making processes.

Consultative bodies ensure the effective and efficient continuity of the study between diverse groups and organizations mentioned above, community, tourism interests, arts, cultural interests, business and trade groups. The full participation of public in evaluation and decision-making processes is supported, so as private enterprises.

To ease the implementation process, each sub-project is run by a Project Team. Sub-project groups are established under the themes of physical, socio-cultural and economic dimensions.

A Vision Center served as a vital means of communication and publicity, ensure the cooperation between various sub-projects raising the profile of the historic district.

A Monitoring Committee is proposed to be established in order to monitor the implementation process.

To maintain financial support for the implementation is surely the most important problems the conservation studies face. The study looks for the consistent and appropriate solutions to ease the difficulties run by the scarce resources.

A self-processed funding scheme is settled inbetween national and international partners of public and private sectors to fill the capital pool.

European Union and UNESCO are the main international supporting organizations in the financial management scheme. In national level, a multi-partnership mechanism is set up with the contribution of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Greater Municipality, District Municipalities, Foundations, Universities and private sector.

Financial aid, besides incentives, from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and foundations is ensured by the fact that only if the proposed project on a land is on their ownership. The Ministry can support the study by funds and incentives such as tax relief and subsidies on tourist activities that are proposed on tourist-cultural facility zones.

Local bodies of Greater Municipality and district municipalities help to restore historic buildings and provide consultancy to maintain a Community Center.

University Foundation having an effect on social development of the area is responsible for the establishment of Training Center for capacity building and dormitory opportunities for students.

The district has to be successful in levering private sector investment, in particular, significant investment from the service sector: private offices, restaurant and other entertainment businesses. The Financial support from private entrepreneurs can be maintained in commercial corridors.

It is important to state that public participation in the process will guarantee the continuity of efforts.

To provide a management process defining a cooperated participation between administrative units during the implementation process is determined in the Study.

It is recognized that the local authority could not achieve the comprehensive plan acting alone.

A new approach was therefore proposed, involving a partnership of public and private bodies, including local and central government, as well as private enterprises.

Because of its global role, the project ishandled with the contribution of national and especially of international partners.

implementation andfinancial management

Istanbul

Documents

economically

surp tartios

nuran zeren

economically

stanbul technical

original settlement

increasing

building ground