ITU A|Z
VOL: 5 NO: 1, 97-117, 2008-1
Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture Istanbul TURKEY
Received: October 2007 Final Acceptance: July2008
Abstract:
Historical urban centres are
negatively affected and have lost their attractiveness and charm due to the
changes of life styles and preferences within time. Recently, the importance of
the central areas of urban settlements has been recognised, and the search for
the components of a healthy city centre in order to recover such areas as vital
parts of the city has become a priority. In this context, the concepts of
vitality and viability have become the focus of the subject in relation with
revitalisation.
A two-staged research was conducted to determine the degree of urban vitality in
the Eminönü district of Istanbul, which represents most of the transformations
and problems. In order to examine the changes in urban vitality over time, the
data gathered in 1985-1988 and 2002-2004 were evaluated by creating a specific
benchmark index. By taking the general characteristics of Eminönü into
consideration, the number of dwellings, population, business areas and the m²
unit prices of the land were used as urban vitality performance indicators. For
a more sound explanation of the urban vitality change in selected neighbourhoods
of Eminönü a public survey has been executed and evaluated by factor analysis.
According to the urban vitality assessment of Eminönü District, it has been seen
that there is a value increase in Cankurtaran, Küçükayasofya, Mimar Hayrettin,
Muhsine Hatun and Nişanca and a negative change on the other quarters. Depending
on the findings of urban vitality assessment and survey results, necessary
strategic approaches developed in addition to a model in relation with city
centers revitalization process.
Keywords: Urban vitality, viability, revitalisation, historical urban centres, Eminönü.