Pedestrianization of
Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula
ARZU TEKIR, DIRECTOR
Walk 21, MUNICH, 2013
EMBARQ Türkiye
• Member of the EMBARQ Network, a nonprofit program of the
World Resources Institute (WRI).
• EMBARQ Türkiye works together with local authorities to
reduce pollution, improve public health, and create safe,
accessible and attractive urban public spaces.
• EMBARQ activities are financed through multiple funding
sources and private sponsorships.
• EMBARQ Türkiye collaborated with local authorities in İstanbul
on multiple projects that specifically focus on the Historic
Peninsula.
Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula
Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula
EMBARQ Türkiye Projects & Reports
Project Starts: 2010
Project Ends: 2012
Report published in 2013.
EMBARQ Türkiye Projects & Reports
Project Starts: November 2012
Project Ends: January 2013
Report published in March 2013.
EMBARQ Türkiye Projects & Reports
Project Starts: December 2012
Project Ends: December 2013
Report published in March 2013.
Pedestrianization of Historic Peninsula
Intrusive parking & a traffic dominated pedestrian environment
Pedestrianization of Historic Peninsula
• Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Fatih
Municipality pedestrianized more than 250 streets
between 2010 and 2012.
Before
After
Public Space & Public Life Survey
• EMBARQ Turkiye partnered with GEHL
Architects for an overall assessment
• GEHL’s survey methodology was adapted
to several contexts: London, New York,
Sydney, Copenhagen.
• 22 streets and connections, 13 squares
and parks analyzed as a representative
selection.
• Outcome Report: Findings and
Recommendations published
A challenged visual environment
• Intrusive traffic infrastructure and features visually deteriorate the public realm
• Monuments and important public spaces suffer under uncoordinated urban
elements
• Poor maintenance and low quality downgrade the visual environment
A challenging walking environment
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Poor maintenance of footways
Footway obstacles
Several barriers divide the city
Pedestrian congestion
• Complicated crossings
• Lack of overall legible pedestrian
network
• A city for cars, not for people
Recommendations for Improvement
A pedestrian oriented city
• Promote traffic calming
• Promote walking and cycling
• Promote public transport
A unique and recreational city
• Promote a great water front
• Promote attractive public spaces
• Promote an integrated history
• Promote multi-functionality
Perception survey: local shops
• Shop owners and managers in the area: their views on
completed pedestrianization projects
• 420 surveys were completed by shop owners and managers
located on 39 streets that were pedestrianized.
• Questions on:
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Shop characteristics
Attitudes toward pedestrianization and future expectations
Observed and expected changes in sales & property values
Transport modal shares
Parking
Urban environment
Perspectives from local businesses
Details of pedestrianization projects
• 256 streets located on four main regions – Eminönü, Hocapaşa,
Alt Laleli, Üst Laleli
• Streets are closed to vehicle traffic between 10am-6pm
• Commercial permit holders are allowed to access the area after
work hours for deliveries
• Tourist buses are allowed to use the new route and stops
Business type distributions
• Domination of wholesales traders: Only 26% of the surveyed
shops were solely involved in retail
• Wholesales traders have higher delivery and logistics needs –
not favorable for pedestrianization
Satisfaction with pedestrianization
• 78% of respondents said that
they were pleased or very
pleased with the
pedestrianization.
• 83% said that they would
support pedestrianization
projects in other areas.
Locals mostly optimistic about the future
• 56% expect sales to increase
• 39% expect customer volumes to increase
• 25% expect annual income levels to increase
• 39% expects property values to increase
Common concerns
• 38% have more difficulty with deliveries than before
• 85% of respondents who reported extensive lack of
resting options said that there was no improvement.
• 21% of the surveyed shops were concerned about
the growth in the number of individuals who tout for
trade in the Historic Peninsula.
Transport modes
• Current share of public transportation is already high
at 65%.
• The expectation is to see more people shifting to
public transportation or walking from private
vehicles.
Urban environment
Noise Levels:
91% of these people who were concerned about the noise levels
reported a decrease as a result of pedestrianization.
Air Quality:
86% of these people who were concerned about emissions and air
quality reported better air quality after pedestrianization.
Key Areas for Improvement
Better streetscapes
• Locals were expecting
better landscape
planning
• Shops are also concerned
about decline in sales
volumes – so better
streetscapes are key to
attract more customers.
Key Areas for Improvement
Better solutions for deliveries
• There are significant concerns over the imposed difficulties with
deliveries to shops.
• Further investigations are required to understand business
concerns in the area, and whether changes to hours or special
permit provisions are required to improve perceptions.
Key Areas for Improvement
Parking
• 42% of respondents believe
that there is a need for
increased parking spaces to
meet the demand.
• Car parks are already located
on the roadside and
inappropriate next to
monuments.
• Better car parks should be designed.
• Demand for car parks should be decreased through modal shift
from private car use.
Key Areas for Improvement
Better enforcement
• Street sellers are another concern as there is an increase in
their numbers with pedestrianization.
• Regulations and associated increased enforcements to reduce
street sellers should be reviewed to ensure a better
environment both for locals and visitors.
Next Steps
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Air Quality Assessment
Traffic Safety Inspections for pedestrians
2nd Perception Analysis
Replicate the project in an another historic city
THANKS!
www.embarqturkiye.org
www.embarq.org