Studio Vertebra entrusted with Uzbekistan’s giant investment “Bukhara City

Studio Vertebra was entrusted with the Bukhara City project which is planned to be constructed in Uzbekistan’s city of Bukhara on a 535 thousand sqm area located between the historical city and the airport with half a billion dollars’ worth of investment.

SStudio Vertebra has been entrusted with the Bukhara City project which will be carried out as one of the biggest projects of Uzbekistan with half a billion dollars’ worth of investment, by the Bukhara Governor’s Office, and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment and International Trade and the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services, under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev. The Studio Vertebra’s duties in the project will include urban planning, architecture and interior architecture designs as well as the project management of the Bukhara City project. Running projects of a “multidisciplinary” nature on a national and international scale in the fields of architecture, interior architecture and restoration, with its team consisting of the partners Head Architect Gencer Yalcin, MS Architect Dilsad Oktem Aslaner, MS Architect Bahar Yucel and Interior Architect Efe Kagan Hizar, Studio Vertebra which is an Istanbulbased architectural design office has commenced the first phase of the Bukhara City project which covers a construction area of 375 thousand sqm and will include residential properties, commercial spaces, a science centre, and cultural events buildings such as museum, library, conference centre as well as public spaces and green areas.

Studio Vertebra’s role in the project will include urban planning of the Bukhara City project and architecture and interior architecture designs of all the buildings included within the scope of the project as well as acting as the project management consultant, which will also involve selection of all investors and contractors.

The Project will be Offering Opportunities to Investors from Turkey and around the World! Located approximately 3km southeast of the Bukhara city centre, in the industrial zone which has become partially non-functional, the project will not only contribute to the development of the relevant area but also to Uzbekistan’s expansion to foreign countries with investments; the project to be carried out under Studio Vertebra’s management will involve investors from both Turkey and different countries around the world. From this aspect, the project constitutes a significant opportunity also for Turkey’s construction industry which recently could not gain any momentum in our country due to the economic crisis and has been trying to expand to international markets. Targeting the development and transformation of the industrial area situated between the historical Bukhara region and the airport, Bukhara City project consists of two phases which will be carried out at different times. Once the first phase of the project is completed, its second phase, which will include a construction area of 75 thousand sqm consisting of an Islamic studies centre and public spaces connected to this centre, will also be realised with the designs of Studio Vertebra.

Chief Architect Gencer Yalcin

Master Architect Dilsad Aslaner

Master Architect Bahar Yucel

Interior Architect Efe Kagan Hizar

Planning that Fits Large, Small and Medium-Scale Investors... Aiming at forming connections at 4 main points with the historical city of Bukhara and directing the existing population density of the city to this area, Studio Vertebra will be constructing a new city centre in the mid-section of the Bukhara City project site, on an area of 65 thousand sqm, consisting of socio-cultural buildings such as a science centre, museum, library and conference centre as well as green space. By dividing commercial and residential property sections, which will be located around the centre, into smaller parcels, the plan is to ensure that the project is suitable for not only large-scale investors, but also small and medium-scale investors. Residential property blocks of varying heights are positioned around the spaces created with courtyards and green areas between the residential properties, in order to ensure that interior spaces enjoy both sunlight and breeze and also benefit from service areas such as parking lots. With day-care and childcare centres that are planned to be located at an equal distance to the residential properties, the project also includes a commercial street with commercial

buildings consisting of 1/2-storey offices to be located on top of shopping areas on the ground floor, as well as two hotel projects on both ends of the street.

A Modern Urban Fabric that is shaped with the Local Culture and Suits the Climate Conditions...

Intending to enhance quality of life with the use of water between the buildings, by taking into account the very hot climate conditions of the area, Studio Vertebra plans to renovate the already existing water conduit and take the water into the city boundaries, as well as to the spaces among the buildings and to public spaces, by designing small and large pools and modernizing

the pool-building relations that are unique to the region and have an important place in Bukhara’s historical identity. Transforming the city centre which is currently open to traffic into a fully pedestrianized area, the project also contemplates the construction of a nostalgic tram line system for tourists, elderly and disabled people. The project, which will be adopting a planning approach that preserves Bukhara’s city silhouette in its historic urban fabric and the storey heights in the city, will be shaped with colours, fabric, materials and structures that are inspired by the symbolic historical landmarks of the region. Project costs are also intended to be reduced by making use of the concrete plants and railways located within the project site, during construction stage and for transport purposes.

Credits Project Name: Bukhara City Project Location: Uzbekistan Project Office: Studio Vertebra Design Team: Gencer Yalçin, Dilsad Aslaner, Efe K. Hizar, Mehmet Bektas, Cem Sahin, Didem Ozkizilcik Architectural Project Team: Ceren Aktas, Onur Ocakci, Mina Yamanli, Omer Faruk Polat, Ibrahim Ozdemir Project Manager: Gencer Yalcin Employer: Bukhara State Judge Main Contractor: Mustahkam Organization Concept Design: Studio Vertebra Interior Design: Studio Vertebra Model: Maketland / Yener Paksoy 3D Visualization: Nevzat Bardakci, Gokhan Bunsuz, Sencer Yalçin Graphic design: Abdullah Karaca Project Start Year: 2019 Land Area: 540.000 m² Total Construction Area: 500.000 m²

International Award to Istanbul Airport, the biggest airport project in the world to be built from scratch

Istanbul Airport received the 'Special Achievement Award' in the 'Outstanding Innovations' category at this year's Leisure Lifestyle awards by Global Traveler, one of the most prestigious publications in the global tourism sector.

Istanbul Airport, Turkey's newest window to the world, was granted an award by Global Traveler, a monthly travel magazine located in the USA that reaches consumers across the globe who travel frequently, consume luxury and experience premium travel and accommodation services. At the award ceremony organized on May 16, 2019 at Sofitel West Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, Istanbul Airport received the Special Achievement Award under the 'Outstanding Innovation' category. İGA Corporate Communications Director Gokhan Sengul accepted the award on behalf of Istanbul Airport. Unlike many other awards, Global Traveler Awards are

voted by its readers. However, the category in which Istanbul Airport received an award was identified by publishers, editors, corporate advisory board and focus groups. Global Traveler Magazine identified the brands to receive awards with openended questions and directly through an e-mail survey it communicated to its readers between October 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019.

"Istanbul Airport outdid other global projects" Gokhan Sengul, İGA Corporate Communications Director, participated the event organized by Global Traveler Magazine, accepted the award and stated their delight in

winning an international award on behalf of Turkey: "Istanbul Airport has been deemed worthy of many awards with its unique architecture, tower design and, most importantly, the social responsibility projects it implemented. We are proud to have received such a prestigious award from one of USA's most popular magazines, Global Traveler. Moreover, receiving an award under the category of innovation is proof of the difference our airport made in such field. Given to Changi Airport in Singapore last year, this award we received by outdid many other projects across the world is an indication that we performed our jobs the right way. Istanbul Airport, Turkey's window to the world, will be deemed worthy of many more awards in the upcoming years through the travel experience and service approach it offers." Deemed as one of the most read magazines in the United States of America, Global Traveler Magazine reaches around 300,000 readers every month. The magazine offers its readers insight on premium cabin, airlines and accommodation services across the world and is closely followed by executives, entrepreneurs and business people. Leadership in innovation, environmental initiatives and community outreach are among the criteria recognized for the category in which Istanbul Airport received the award.

Investment opportunities in Mexico

There’s not the slightest doubt that Mexico is a country of great opportunities for foreign investors in various industries.

Mexico officially the United Mexican States is a country in the southern portion of North America. Mexican society is characterized by extremes of wealth and poverty, with a limited middle class wedged between an elite cadre of landowners and investors on the one hand and masses of rural and urban poor on the other. But in spite of the challenges it faces as a developing country, Mexico is one of the chief economic and political forces in Latin America. The country has become a very attractive emerging market for foreign investors. As the Latin America’s third largest economy after Brail and Argentina with a $1.3 trillion GDP and with a population of approximately 120 million, placing it as the 13th largest in the world, Mexico ranks 13th in terms of purchasing power parity worldwide, and it is the 11th largest exporter worldwide.

Why Mexico? Mexico is one of the most competitive countries in the world for productive investment due to its macroeconomic and political stability, low inflation, size and strength of its domestic market, economic growth rate and capacity to produce advanced manufacturing (high-tech products). Mexico is also an open economy that guarantees access to international¿ markets through a network of free trade agreements. The country boasts a strategic geographic location and competitive costs to service global markets, as well as a highly–skilled, young workforce.

Compared to most developed countries, Mexico's economy is heavily export-based with 31.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) from industry and 59.8% from services, as of 2015. Meanwhile, the OEDC and the WTO both rank Mexican workers as the hardest working in the world in terms of annual hours worked and profitability per man-hour. The economy is also making strides when it comes to increased private ownership and favorable business regulation. In 2012, President Enrique Pena Nieto was elected to office promising big changes to the way the country was run. Since then, Mr. Nieto reduced corporate taxes, broke up monopolies, and liberalized its energy industry. Foreign investments are mostly concentrated in towns neighboring factories are located, as well as in the capital. Thanks to its robust tourism industry, the Yucatan Peninsula also receives substantial foreign investment. Investment mostly comes from the United States and Spain (especially the banking sector).

Other sectors receiving significant foreign investment are finance, the U.S border where many assembly

the automobile industry and the electronics and energy sectors. Mexico’s most promising sectors include: agriculture; agribusiness; auto parts and services; aerospace; education services; energy; environmental technology; franchising; housing and construction; packaging equipment; plastics and resins;

security and safety equipment and services; information technology; transportation infrastructure equipment and services; and travel and tourism services. Mexico’s standing as a leader in the global manufacturing market has been long established, even amidst increased global competition. A big number of Fortune 500 companies and other multi-national companies have turned to Mexico

in an attempt to cut manufacturing costs. The automotive industry in the country has boomed in recent decades, becoming the fourth largest auto exporter. It recently surpassed Japan as the second-largest US auto parts exporter. Some of the world’s largest automotive companies such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Daimler, General Motors, Nissan and BMW have decided to maintain or increase their production in Mexico recently, or have announced their intention to do so, regardless of the external factors surrounding the US market. The country has signed 32 Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreements with 33 countries, 10 free trade agreements with 45 countries, nine partial scope and economic complementation agreements within the framework of the Latin-American Integration Association (ALADI), and is a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The country actively participates in multilateral and regional organizations and forums like the World Trade Organization (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).