Galata Tower Plaza
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Design Proposal Design Challenge Galata TOWER Plaza Reviving Public Space in Istanbul Istanbul Population of 17 million Varied transit options Warm climate for 8 months Mild/cool for 4 months Experience through Site Strengthened Identity (I1) Turkish artwork leading to information board on Galata Tower (I2) 14th C Ottoman fountain at site, inactive, celebrated through new design (I3) image of traditional games in action I1 I2 I3 Environmental Comfort passive cooling through wall mounted water fountains and timed sprinkler system green space on grass surface E1 E2 E3 Socio-economic Impact business around the site benefit from increased pedestrian traffic social interaction for all age groups aesthetic relief in high-density area improves quality of life S1 S2 S3 Public-friendly Strategies open ampitheatre-like seating ideal for local street performances games kiosk is free; people turn in their ID as “collateral” for a game accessible restrooms at site P1 P2 P3 Istanbul has been through heated debate wherein its citizens are protesting against the government for evacuating public seating and turning to privatiziation. e city is already crammed for public space and the few available vacant spaces are rented out to private es- tablishments because the local municipality does not see the potential of these spaces to serve as successful public squares that benefit multiple stakeholders. The question then is, what are some strong urban design ideas that could potentially revive and improve this site as a successful public space for the surrounding community? E3 P3 S2 P2 Galata Tower Plaza after June 2014 when taken over by expensive private cafe Galata Tower Plaza before June 2014 with some minimal public seating Existing Conditions Site Analysis Galata District High-density neighborhood Commercial/Residential area Pedestrian traffic as marked Place Diagram Study Observation chart created by Project for Public Spaces, an international NGO that works towards community development through placemaking strategies. I3 I2 I1 E1 E1 E2 E2 I1 I3 P1 P1 S3 Key Observations from Site Study Sociability popular Turkish culture of playing board games while drinking chai, social interactions more commonly seen on informal seating Access and Linkages high pedestrian traffic on adjacent Istiklal Street, metro stops nearby, already at the base of an identifiable landmark Comfort and Image crucial need for rest spaces, historic assets at site to be preserved and enhanced, great branding potential for neighborhood Uses and Activity street performers, Turkish musicians, local vendors, tourists to Galata Tower, visiting locals, etc. allow for people watching Base Public Space Program Abundant open seating Game-lending kiosk (with stall for chai service) Public restrooms Juhi Goel B.Sc.Architecture, ‘15 University of Cincinnati
description
A quick architecture insertion project for an effective public space in Istanbul based off of visited and documented site conditions and as an end result of a parallel independent study of place-making patterns of such squares.
Transcript of Galata Tower Plaza
Design Proposal
Design Challenge
G a l at a T O W E R P l a z aReviving Public Space in Istanbul
IstanbulPopulation of 17 millionVaried transit optionsWarm climate for 8 monthsMild/cool for 4 months
Experience through Site
Strengthened Identity
(I1) Turkish artwork leading to information board on Galata Tower(I2) 14th C Ottoman fountain at site, inactive, celebrated through new design (I3) image of traditional games in action
I1
I2
I3
Environmental Comfort
passive cooling through wall mounted water fountains and timed sprinkler system green space on grass surface
E1
E2
E3
Socio-economic Impact
business around the site benefit from increased pedestrian traffic social interaction for all age groups aesthetic relief in high-density area improves quality of life
S1
S2
S3
Public-friendly Strategies
open ampitheatre-like seating ideal for local street performances games kiosk is free; people turn in their ID as “collateral” for a game accessible restrooms at site
P1
P2
P3
Istanbul has been through heated debate wherein its citizens are protesting against the government for evacuating public seating and turning to privatiziation. The city is already crammed for public space and the few available vacant spaces are rented out to private es-tablishments because the local municipality does not see the potential of these spaces to serve as successful public squares that benefit multiple stakeholders. The question then is, what are some strong urban design ideas that could potentially revive and improve this site as a successful public space for the surrounding community?
E3
P3
S2
P2
Galata Tower Plaza after June 2014 when taken over by expensive private cafe
Galata Tower Plaza before June 2014 with some minimal public seating
Existing Conditions
Site Analysis
Galata DistrictHigh-density neighborhoodCommercial/Residential areaPedestrian traffic as marked
Place Diagram Study
Observation chart created by Project for Public Spaces, an international NGO that works towards community development through placemaking strategies.
I3
I2
I1
E1
E1
E2
E2
I1
I3
P1P1
S3
Key Observations from Site Study
Sociability popular Turkish culture of playing board games while drinking chai,social interactions more commonly seen on informal seating
Access and Linkages high pedestrian traffic on adjacent Istiklal Street,metro stops nearby, already at the base of an identifiable landmark
Comfort and Imagecrucial need for rest spaces, historic assets at site to be preserved and enhanced, great branding potential for neighborhood
Uses and Activitystreet performers, Turkish musicians, local vendors, tourists to Galata Tower, visiting locals, etc. allow for people watching
Base Public Space Program
Abundant open seating Game-lending kiosk(with stall for chai service)Public restrooms
Juhi GoelB.Sc.Architecture, ‘15
University of Cincinnati
