Topkapi Kaleici Square

Conceptual Approach

‘A Space of Multicultural Society Living in Harmony’

Since the formation of cities, each city has shaped the society it harbors and has similarly been shaped by every individual in that society in many ways. This ongoing process is one of the fundamental reasons why we define cities as living organisms. In this context, the most important factor that turns cities into constantly changing, evolving, and developing organisms is public spaces. The crucial role of public spaces, especially open public spaces, in cities and human life makes cities more dynamic (Uzgören, 2017).

Public spaces are carriers of democracy, the heart of the city, the soul and ambiance of citizenship feelings and memories. These spaces are tools for transforming and reshaping the city physically, socially, and symbolically. This definition is crucial in emphasizing the multifaceted characteristics of public spaces such as equality, sharing, and the sense of place, both in physical and social terms. Therefore, understanding the importance and meaning of open public spaces for both cities and individuals, and examining the social and psychological dimensions of urban space activities and opportunities, is proposed to go beyond a narrow concept of these spaces as merely physical elements. In this context, issues such as how spaces like squares, which are open and semi-open public spaces, are defined, what purposes they can serve, what types of interactions they can facilitate, and to what extent these spaces can enable physical opportunities for interactions and socio-spatial actions have been questioned.

Transportation

The square and its surroundings, which have fallen into the status of a stop for both public and private road transportation, have turned into a nodal point for transfers over time, leading to the disappearance of the historical square character in the area’s level relationships. In this context, to segregate pedestrian, vehicular, and public transport relationships, it is proposed to optimize the capacities of bus stops in the project area and relocate them to Topkapı Avenue. Bicycle lanes along the city walls are proposed to establish relationships with the immediate surroundings. The proximity of the square to rail system stops enhances accessibility in terms of public transportation.

Square Layout and Platforms for Historical Buildings

Topkapı Kaleiçi Square, with its current use, remains in the middle of the transportation network, predominantly used as a stop area. Consequently, the square, under pressure from the transportation network, is used more as a place to pass through than as an interactive space, damaging its public and historical identity. The lack of recreational green areas identified in the project area is also recognized as a drawback to the square’s identity. As part of the proposal for the Green City Walls system, the square and its surroundings, which include idle spaces, aim to increase their participation in daily life and create a high-quality urban space. Through the defined platforms for each historical structure on the square’s perimeter, these structures are aimed to assert their existence and perception more strongly and to establish direct interaction with the square. It is envisioned that the structures on the perimeter will evolve over time as the square’s character strengthens, with defined occupancy limits for dining areas that enhance square life. The visitor center proposed as a focal point for the historical identity of the area, together with the defined amphitheater, aims to strengthen the perception of the square and walls, diversify the use of the square for various purposes and events.