Point 35

Karabaglar Urban Design Project - Public Space & Urban Square Redevelopment in Izmir

Located in the heart of Izmir's Karabaglar district, this urban design proposal reimagines a vital public space through a landscape-driven and user-centric approach. Submitted to the Karabaglar Municipality Public Open Space and Urban Square Urban Design Competition, the project aims to activate underused areas, strengthen neighborhood connections, and introduce a multifunctional urban square that reflects Izmir’s Mediterranean identity.

Contextual Framework: History, Climate & Ecology

Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, is a historic and strategic urban hub with rich ecological and cultural layers. Karabaglar, one of its oldest districts, is surrounded by dynamic urban zones and sits at a key transportation axis: offering direct connections to the ring road, airport, and inner-city metro lines. This positions it as a prime location for a new civic and recreational nucleus.

The design responds to Izmir’s Mediterranean climate, where summers are hot and dry, winters mild and rainy, and cooling coastal breezes like the imbat are a natural asset. The planting palette emphasizes drought-resistant, native species, including pines, oaks, and aromatic shrubs like thyme and lavender: providing both ecological resilience and visual richness year-round.

Site Strategy: Topography, Circulation & Program Distribution

A comprehensive site analysis guided the design process, including topographic slope mapping, observation of natural trails, and access studies. Existing informal pathways and a prominent dry creek bed informed a spatial framework that aligns with the land's natural contours, creating an organic yet structured layout.

A central axis, supported by a ramp and canopy system, serves as the spine of the project. This strong north-south connector links neighborhoods and distributes various programmatic elements along its length. Circulation routes are barrier-free and universally accessible, ensuring inclusivity for all users.

Functional Zoning: Activity, Recreation & Community Use

The master plan is organized around diversified zones tailored to user needs:

• Urban Square: A vibrant gathering space designed for events, markets, and social interaction.
• Recreational Areas: Meditation lawns, yoga platforms, and fitness trails offer quiet and active engagement.
• Children’s Playground: A safe, enclosed space that combines tactile elements like sand and water with balance-promoting play equipment.
• Sports Infrastructure: Existing sports halls are enhanced with minimal interventions. A climbing wall activates an unused façade, while rooftop sports courts are integrated above the underground parking facility.
• Running and Cycling Paths: Interwoven within green corridors to promote active mobility.

Architectural Interventions: Lightweight & Flexible Structures

The built elements are designed using a prefabricated steel-frame system, promoting flexibility, efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. These modular units serve varied functions -cafés, workshops, restrooms, prayer rooms, and information booths- and can be reconfigured based on seasonal or programmatic needs.

A secondary mesh façade system adds depth and shading to the sports hall without altering its structure, ensuring thermal comfort while blending with the site’s visual language.

Sustainable Planting Design

The planting strategy reflects the ecological character of the Aegean Region, prioritizing low water-use and native species that thrive in Izmir’s climate. Selected tree species such as Jacaranda, Camphor Tree, and Persian Silk Tree provide seasonal interest and shading. Shrubs like Bougainvillea, Lavender, and Bottlebrush create layered planting zones, supporting biodiversity and reducing maintenance needs.

Integrated Parking & Accessibility

A two-level underground parking facility with a capacity for 200 vehicles, including 10 accessible spaces, supports the site’s connectivity. Its roof, repurposed as a sports surface, maximizes land use without compromising green space. Dual pedestrian exits ensure seamless integration into both the park and market zones.

Design Philosophy: A Living Urban Fabric

The project’s core vision is “understanding and amplifying the site” - embracing its topographic, ecological, and social dimensions. The design stitches together public, recreational, and ecological spaces in a way that promotes inclusivity, environmental awareness, and community interaction.

Through a carefully layered spatial strategy, the project transforms Karabaglar’s urban square into a multifunctional, resilient, and welcoming destination, aligning with the needs of both present and future generations.