International Seminor "Waterfront Cities of Istanbul"

Date： 6, Nov. 2006 (Mon) 18:00-21:00
Place: Meeting Room A, Boissonade Tower 26F, Ichigaya Campus, Hosei University

"Istanbul−Historical Relationship between Cities and Water"
Zeynep Kuban
Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University
Istanbul is a city of Turk, surrounded by water. Water divides the city into the European side and the Asian side by Bosphorus, and into the old city core and the new core by Golden Horn in the European side. The development of the city and daily lives within the city are naturally based on water. From the viewpoint of architectural and urban history, the report focused on the water and its meaning for Istanbul.
The history of Istanbul began as an ancient Greece colonial city, Byzantion. Acropolis, strong city walls and huge church (later called Ayasofya) were built in Byzantion. Constantine the Great established the urban structure with axial lines which remain even today. Theodosius the Great opened two ports for military and commercial uses. Shipyard was built along the Golden Horn.
In the 10th century, Istanbul attracted merchants of various countries, e.g., from Africa and to the Black Sea. Since the 9th century, Italian districts were formed by Italian merchants. Rivalry of Genoese district on the northern side of the Golden Horn, and Venetian district on the southern side, continued until the 15th century.
In the 15th century, Satih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul, and the city was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The Asian side was integrated into the city, where a new palace was built on the ruin of acropolis of Byzantion. The church of Ayasofya converted to mosque with minaret, which became a symbol of the city as well as a spiritual pillar. The mosques were built by Turkish sultan himself on the hill looking over the sea, and other mosques built along the sea became the core of Islamization. The Golden Horn had been established as industrial areas based on the old shipyards.
In the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire closed the country culturally, to establish its unique culture. However in the 19th century, the Empire dispatched missions to Western countries and began to accept their cultures. This period is referred to as "Tulip Era". A western-styled palace was built along the Golden Horn. New canals were constructed, from which drinking water was provided. Various villas were built along the Bosphorus. Many of them had ship entrances, and wooden two- or three-storied structures. Along with the full-scale westernization, large military facilities were constructed. At the era, wooden structures were changed to stones. Bazaar as a commercial core was replaced by banks. Other changes included environmental pollution of the Golden Horn, construction of coastal stations, and of villas on the Asian side, etc.
The construction of the bridge between the European and Asian sides in 1971, promoted the development on the Asian side. Villas on the Asian side and along the Bosphorus were diverted to houses for settlement. Some of the problems of today are the damage to the landscape by coastal hotels, large-scale development, and illegal buildings, and pollution of the ocean by sewage because of the poor drainage systems. However, good relationship with ocean can be found in the water transportation by ferries. Also the recognition of the ocean views can be valuated by the expensiveness of residences with such views.

"Current Situation of Pedestrian Spaces in Istanbul"
Yoshiko Tsuruta
Lecturer, Contemporary Liberal Arts, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Showa Women's University
In Istanbul, marine transportation is actively used, as well as road networks including the loop road, and undersea tunnel subways. International port is located in the new city core, where giant tankers and ferries arrive. Adding to these ships, inner marine transportation by liner ships including car ferries, serves an important role for citizens (01). The port is still actively used as the commercial core among transportation networks. The squares around the boatslips of this port city, are utilized for commercial purposes, as the base for transportation for buses and taxies, and as the place of recreation and relaxation with fishing spots, stalls, restaurants, etc. Istanbul has various pedestrian spaces including Grand Bazaar, more than 300 periodic markets, squares, and vehicle-free areas. The report focused on the current situation of such pedestrian spaces.
The foot of the Galata Bridge has been recently developed as square. The expansion of pedestrian spaces with lined restaurants was promoted, while the trades of merchants from the Black Sea and stall keepers were prohibited by regulations. The shops were concentrated in the lower area of the bridge; sidewalks were built in front of these shops. Streetcars and pedestrians, and anglers can be seen on the higher level of the bridge (02). The Istiqlal Street in the new city core is the pedestrian mall where only streetcars are in service. The slope of the street is well utilized by caf_s. Buildings of the 19th century have been restored in Taksim Square on top of the slope, and funicular railway toward the seashore was built. Along Bosphorus, Kad_k_y's harbor has been improved. The Ortak_y Square with lined restaurants, is bustling with artistic activities on Saturdays and Sundays. The coastal areas are also well arranged with open caf_s (03). The squares are used in various ways, such as bazaars for antiques, weekly markets, markets for local produces, etc (04, 05, and 06).
Recently, roof terraces are increasingly put into use as spots for enjoying ocean and city views. As described above, for sea-girt city with many uphills and downhills, it has been important in all ages to view the ocean, landscape of opposite shore, and the city from the sea. From historical points of view, Istanbul was a commercial city, developed through maritime commerce; and its prosperity as port city has still contributed to the daily lives in this rich waterfront city.