Competition Project, 2nd Mention
Located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Üsküdar Salacak is a place where the most colorful stories of history and urban life are told. The project aims to synthesize existing nature and history with new urban needs. Taking into account elements such as the natural environment, coastal areas and water relations, as well as urban design potentials, this project includes interactive, sharing and transformative urban space programs. These programs allow for sports, cultural and artistic activities, while prioritizing human scale experience, green space design, waterfront continuity, pedestrian circulation and quality of life for citizens.
The project area forms part of the Bosphorus coastline between Üsküdar and Harem and is a public interface of the Salacak and Selimiye neighborhoods facing the Bosphorus. The proposed project emphasizes life in front of the water and emphasizes life by the water for the people of Istanbul. The design motivation of the project is to rebuild the culture of living with water and the sea that has historically dominated the area and to rethink the use of the waterfront in a public way.
The project includes a 3 km long coastal path east of the Bosphorus coastline between Üsküdar and Harem. This project aims at a holistic revitalization of the area and defines different "thematic sub-regions", redefining their relationship within the context and activating them with sensitive and functional additions. Different uses and programs are designed along the waterfront, while preserving the existing tree cover and coastal character.
One of the focal points of the project is the new public event space on the Harem waterfront. In this area, users integrate a multi-purpose recreational space into urban life with different functional platforms and extensions while interacting with the water fabric. Other key focal points include the historic Salacak Fishermen's Shelter, Harem Train Station and the waterfront viewing area opposite the Maiden's Tower.
The project takes into account the existing flora and coastal character, which requires an environmental protection and ecological development strategy. Protecting and enhancing these natural elements is a critical part of the design approach. Biodrainage systems using plants to collect and clean rainwater are also designed. The traffic arrangement includes a "shared road" that prioritizes pedestrian circulation and encourages safe walking and cycling routes along the waterfront. This project aims to revitalize an important coastal area of Istanbul through a synthesis of history, nature and urban life.
