Pedestrianization of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula

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 Türkiyeworks 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

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 • 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: • 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, ÜstLaleli • 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 • Air Quality Assessment • Traffic Safety Inspections for pedestrians • 2nd Perception Analysis • Replicate the project in an another historic city

THANKS!www.embarqturkiye.orgwww.embarq.org

Pedestrianization of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula