127_X0213012

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

Central Taksim Taksim Urban Design Competition Phase 1

X0213012

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

X0213012

Reading and concept

!

GEZI PARK ESPLANADE SPATIAL POTENTIAL

GEZI PARK ESPLANADE IN PROTESTS

The esplanade forms a well defined open space and has few small trees which could be

The central esplanade was one of the main occupied areas in the Gezi Park protests in 2013.

TRAFFIC UNDERPASS

easy to replanted and preserved in another part of the park.

GEZI PARK

CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM SQUARE

FROM GEZI PARK (1), TAKSIM SQUARE (2) AND TRAFFIC UNDERPASS (3)

Gezi park and Taksim square as one

TO TAKSIM AS CENTRE OF THE GEZI PARK

Our proposal is an extension of the spatial logic of the Gezi park all over the project

site and an active reinterpretation of the original Henri Prost urban plan for Istanbul for

Today the project site has a split spatial condition - it consists of the Taksim square,

the current needs of the city. Gezi Park currently consist of a central esplanade - urban

the Gezi park and the traffic underpass pedestrianisation urban design project from 2014.

space with few trees which provides an open character - and the edge with a dominant

Our proposal ‘Central Taksim’ is an attempt to unite these three open space elements into

concentration of large trees. Our ‘Central Taksim’ proposal uses this park hierarchy in a new

one unified spatial system.

light - we are exploring a potential of the central esplanade to become the new urban open

space for the city - The Central Taksim - while extending the park edge all over the rest of the

Complex political and historical layers, the role of the Taksim square as the

architectural battlefield of Istanbul, the constant processes of additions and subtractions

site.

has left the Taksim square and the traffic underpass in a state which lacks of any spatial quality or urban hierarchy. On the other hand, the Gezi park trees have matured into a valuable local ecosystem with preserved strong historical traces of Henri Prost’s plan and the environmental and their climate values.

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CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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1. EXISTING URBAN SYSTEM

2. CREATING A CENTRAL SPACE

3. ADDING A PARK EDGE

4. NEW URBAN SYSTEM - CENTRAL TAKSIM AND PARK EDGE

Gezi park inside out preservation

• it is liberated from infrastructure and forms a free canvas for series of events and activities; • it has a coherent green frame of trees, ensuring spatial unity and creating a buffer between

The project underlines the main two public space characters - the Central Taksim

the diverse buildings around the plaza and the multi-functional open space;

open plaza as main event and public gathering location and the Park edge as a more intimate

• it has a potential for a new under-plaza cultural program (museum, etc.).

public space with green and environmental qualities.

of reinterpreting it into a multifunctional and flexible space, water mirror and fountains.

There are two main objectives of the proposed new zoning. The first one is social,

The Central Taksim is a result of preserving the historical traces of Gezi Park and

it aims to create heterogeneous, urban, cultural, multipurpose event space and the second

one is environmental: it aims to create an epicenter of bioclimatic adaptation within the

of the current esplanade of the park to the edge of the site in a unified grid of 12,5 x 12,5

Turkish climate conditions.

meters forming a canopy of trees. The trees frames the plaza and offers a belt of various

recreational activities for the citizens under the shade of the trees - sports, kiosks, café,

The benefits of the new central location of the Central Taksim plaza are:

• its marks a centrality in the spatial hierarchy;

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To create the unifying park edge - we are proposing to carefully move the 211 trees

transportation, tourism, cycling, pic-nick etc.

CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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Urban design operations GREEN

?

URBAN

1. EXISTING

2. THE URBAN VS THE GREEN

Classical Gezi park and Republic Monument floating in a not defined open space.

The spatial relationships between the urban condition of the site and the green system lacks clear definition and hierarchy.

CENTRAL TAKSIM

740 Trees stays 211 Trees to be moved to the edge Grid of the moved trees Preserved monuments

3. ELEMENTS TO PRESERVE

4. NEW ZONING

There are currently 951 valuable trees in the project site. We are strongly committed to

New urban zoning is created by moving 211 trees from the center of the current Gezi park

preserve all of them- either by leaving them in their locations or by carefully moving them few

central esplanade zone to the edge of the site. The new definition creates two clear identities:

meters to meet the principle of the new zoning. In addition, the initial Henri Prost’s esplanade

1. Green edge as canopy of trees;

plan and the Republic Monument will be preserve and enhanced by the new project layout.

2. The Central Taksim multipurpose plaza.

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CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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5%

METRO

NOISE BARRIER

10%

CAFE 1%

KIOSK

0%

NOISE BARRIER

5%

VIEW POINT PAVILION METRO

5%

5. ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE

6. CARPET OF GENTLE HILLS LINKING UNDERGROUND PROGRAMS

The general terrain of the area is developed for maximizing level free access throughout the

Playful and gentle hills are created to underline and articulate the entrances to the

site and therefore improving access for bikes, skates, disabled people, for people with baby

underground programs (metro, funicular) but also to create noise barrier from the traffic

strollers or finally to improve the walkability of the whole area.

streets, to form recreational and playful zones and to scale down the openness into spatial niches and vintage points.

5.

BIODIVERSITY 4.

EDUCATION

1.

SPORTS & PLAY

3.

RECREATION

15 000 M2 UNDERPLAZA PROGRAM

2.

CULTURE & MOBILITY

7. ACTIVATED GREEN EDGE

8. UNDERGROUND PROGRAM POTENTIAL

The new canopy of trees is programmed with 5 distinctive activities: 1. Sport and play zone;

The new Central Taksim plaza liberated from its abstractions (trees, underground

2. Culture and mobility area; 3. Recreation area; 4. Education park zone; 5. Biodiversity area.

infrastructure etc.) becomes a potential place for a large underground program (15.000 m2 plot site) which could be determined according to the city needs - a new modern art museum, parking or shopping functions.

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CENTRAL TAKSIM

+79.50

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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+62.00

Drawings

+91.00

+80.00 +78.00

+70.20 2

+70.20

2

+82.00 +82.00

+80.00

+80.00

+78.00

+78.00

BIKE PARKING

BIKE RENT

CAFE KIOSK

+8

+82.00 +80.00

ACTIVITY EDGE

CAFE KIOSK

+79.50

UNDERGOUND ENTRANCE

+62.00

BIKE

METE STREET

UNDERGOUND PROGRAM POTENTIAL

+62.00 METRO TUBE

SECTION 2-2, 1:2000

+82.00

+82.00 +80.00

+91.00 +78.00

+80.00

+80.00

+79.50

+62.00

+80.00

+80.00

+70.20

+62.00

SECTIONS OF HILLS, 1:1000

+91.00

+83.00 +80.00

1

+80.00

1 +70.20

+62.00

+91.00

+83.00 +80.00

+80.00

+78.00

+70.20

+70.20

UNDERGOUND INFRASTRUCTURE

METRO ENTRANCE HILL

POP-UP MARKET

CULTURAL HILL

AKM PAVILLION

BIKE

METE STREET

AKM

+62.00

METRO TUBE

SECTION 1-1, 1:2000 +91.00

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CENTRAL TAKSIM

+80.00

+80.00

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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Yedi Kuyular Cad

desi

72.00

72.00

73.00

74.00

BIODIVERSITY GARDENS

BIKE PATH

69.00

73.00 75.00

EDUCATION GARDEN

70.00

Re

METRO ENTRANCE

71.00

p ce

76.00

OUTDOOR CINEMA

74.00

şa

Pa dd

Ca i es

85.00

72.00 77.00

75.00

78.00

ATATÜRK LIBRARY ENTRANCE

73.00

ar m La

74.00

79.00

tin

75.00

es dd Ca

77.00 76.00

78.00

76.00

79.00

80.00

i

77.00 81.00

80.00

82.00

KIOSK

i

79.00

m

La 79.00

tin

ar

de

Ay

Ca

POTENTIAL ENTRANCE TO UNDERGROUND PROGRAM

OUTDOOR SPORTS 77.00

es

dd

de

78.00

KIOSK

80.00

i

es

dd

Ca 80.00

KIOSK 80.00

81.00

82.00

78.00

2

PICK NICK

82.00

PLAY HILL

WATER SCULPTURE 80.00

2

BUS STOP BIKE PATH FITNESS 84.00 HILL

79.00

82.00

81.00

a lh

dü

Ab k

CENTRAL TAKSIM PLAZA

m Ha it Ca i

es

dd

SPORT & PLAY

BUS STOP

VIEW POINT HILL 91.00

1

82.00

80.00

NOISE PROTECTION HILL 85.00

78.00

AKM ENTRANCE METRO ENTRANCE

79.00

77.00

83.00

AKM HILL

1

85.00

MOSQUE ENTRANCE F1 ENTRANCE

85.00

80.00

81.00

82.00

BIKE PATH

REPUBLIC MONUMENT

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Kültür Çıkmazı

78.00

CENTRAL TAKSIM ı ağ

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tlu

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76.00

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6/15

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SITEPLAN, 1:1500

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Aske

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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Environmental ambitions

3.

2.

1.

100% PRESERVATION OF 951 TREES

HENRI PROST’S ESPLANADE COMPOSITION AS THE WATER SYSTEM

740 trees - preserved in their locations

1. Everyday situation - water system forms diverse blue patterns

211 trees at the esplanade - transplanted in the edge

2. Mass gathering situation - water system is deactivated

Small trees - moved on top of the undergound

3. Hot summer situation - water system in full capacity for maximum climate comfort

Trees which are difficult to move - stays in plaza

MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA 4-16 X 2-7 M (HXB)

TAXUS BACCATA 3-4,5 X 3-4 M (HXB)

OLEA EUROPAEA 2 X 2 M (HXB)

TILIA RUBRA 4,5-8 X 3,5-4 M (HXB)

QUERCUS RUBRA 8 X 4 M (HXB)

PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA 5,5 X 3 M (HXB)

ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA 6 X 3 M (HXB)

FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR 18 X 9 M (HXB)

PLATANUS ORIENTALIS 7-20 X 3,5-10 M (HXB)

ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA 7-8 X 3-6 M (HXB)

CEDRUS SPP. 10-12 X 3,5-6 M (HXB)

POPULUS NIGRA 17-20 X 3-4 M (HXB)

POPULUS ALBA 18 X 5 M (HXB)

LAURUS NOBILIS 8-10 X 7-8 M (HXB)

PINUS SPP. 4-7 X 2-8 M (HXB)

CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS 8 X 5 M (HXB)

Preserved green Taksim

Preserved blue Taksim

The existing 740 trees in the North and North/West of the site are kept in their

The original esplanade drawing of the Gezi park will be reinterpreted into a

locations while 211 trees located at the current Gezi park esplanade we propose to transplant

dynamic water system. It will create fountain and watering fields, which can be activated

to the edge of the project area in a 12,5 x 12,5 m grid. The smallest trees will be located on

and deactivated depending on a climate and programming circumstances. It can be partially

top of the underground programs (the traffic underpass and the public transportation). The

activated in the everyday situation forming a diverse, refreshing and playful landscape of

transplantation process will include root pruning, which will help the trees to grow roots that

water in the plaza. It can be deactivated in the times of mass events or demonstrations. In

can travel with them to their new locations. The project intends to preserve the tree species

addition, during mass viewings of sport games or summer concerts, the esplanade fields can

already present in the Gezi park and rearrange them in a dynamic composition of big trees

be turned into rolled down artificial grass fields for flexible sitting for thousands of people.

(Populus nigra, Platanus orientalis) next to the small and medium ones (Tilia rubra, Quercus rubra, Magnolia grandiflora).

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CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

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The new green canopy belt framing the Central Taksim plaza

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Urban ambitions

MODEL PHOTOS OF CONTINUOUS URBAN CARPET

1.

2.

SURFACE REFERENCES 1. Sustainable concrete tiles forming hilly geometry of the plaza

Hard surface

2. Soft transition between the hard and the soft surface

Soft surface Water

Accessible Taksim

Soft and hard Taksim

The project area is understood as a continuous urban topography carpet, which is

The urban surface carpet is intended as an element consisting of the hard and the

shaped to link the Central Taksim plaza with the most convenient accessibility slopes from

soft surfaces. The borders between hard and soft surfaces are blurred forming a gradual

the rest of the city. The plaza will become the natural meeting place for multiple flows of the

transition that creates diversity of natural and urban atmospheres. The maximum intensity

soft mobility - pedestrians, parents with strollers, bikers, rollerbladers, disabled people etc.

of the soft surfaces are in the slow movement, play and rest zones while the maximum hard

A dedicated loop for recreational bicycle rides is created in the green canopy and

surfaces are at the main pedestrian movement areas. The fast and slow movement areas

could be linked to the Maรงka Democracy park integrating the Central Taksim into the bigger

are underlined by the topography and good lighting conditions. The materials used for both

green and recreational corridor.

hard and soft areas aims to be low carbon, locally sourced and at the same time functional,

durable and with minimum maintenance.

The car traffic is limited to the Mete Cd (the bus stops are also located here) and

Tak-i Zafer Cd. in an optimised pedestrian street profiles.

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The new accessible Central Taksim plaza with flexible water ponds and multiple soft modes of transportation

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Architectural ambitions

2.

5.

3.

3.

5.

6.

1.

1.

5.

2.

5.

4.

4.

ATTRIBUTES COLLECTION TO ENHANCE THE EXISTING TAKSIM IDENTITY

USING THE UNDERGROUND SPACE AS AN URBAN ASSET

1. Metro entrance + 80.00

4. Republic Monument

1. Metro entrance + 80.00

4. Metro tube + 46.00

2. Kiosk café

5. Urban furniture : lamppost/bench/bike P.

2. Tarlabaşı Boulevard + 70.00

5. New cultural underground program

3. Watermirror

6. Skydome

3. Pedestrian Metro tunnel + 62.00

15.000 sqm + 79.50

1.

2.

1.

2.

ATTRIBUTE REFERENCES

UNDERGROUND SPACE REFERENCES

1. The Kube Kiosk, Hong Kong.

1. Louvres Museum, Paris.

2. Aarhus Kunsthall bench, Aarhus.

2. Parking house courtyard, Copenhagen.

Local centralities and meeting points of Taksim

we call the ‘Attributes’. The attributes will be created in a unifying language of light and

Although the terrain of the project site is shaped as one continuous carpet, some

The indoor programs (cafes, kiosks, bike rental, ticket sales, metro entrance etc.)

will be located in a small scale architecture elements inhabiting the hills - the pavilions which

of the zones are turned into soft hills, which concentrate entrances to the underground

robust materiality, urban elements that becomes highlights points during the night.

programs (metro, funicular), playground and activity’s furniture, seating furniture and urban

tribune. The intention of the hills is to enhance multipurpose public experiences and to

The general pattern of light poles will ensure light for the whole area. The attributes will

create local centralities that addresses visible meeting points within the overall public space.

highlight the focal points (metro entrances, ticket sales etc.). Plaza lights will be integrated in

One will be able to find extremely planted hills, outdoor fitness hill, metro hill with local

the preserved historical drawing of the Gezi park esplanade. The playful water elements will

artist’s skylights, cultural hill with outdoor tribune etc. The specifically programmed hills have

integrate lighting scheme. Use of the LED system will ensure energy efficiency and can be

smooth transitions between them to enhance links in-between various spatial experiences

operated as sensor systems.

Additional lighting will be implemented for optimal safety and visibility conditions.

and activities.

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Republic Monument as a meeting point in the urban mobility system and metro hills with new entrances.

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Social ambitions

Always new spaces and programs around the corner

0:00

18:00

6:00

12:00

24 hrs programming

4m

Reused construction material warehouse

2m

Human scale sensory experience every 2 m

Central Taksim project pavillion

TAKSIM LIVEABILITY LOOP Design process with digital and physical citizen engagement

Liveable citizens Taksim

patterns of use and experience. Different programs and seasonal events, which could take place in the plaza, will promote its plural identity (Art-Taksim, Play-Taksim, Market-Taksim

Diversity of urban spaces creates local communities and spaces for everyone. The

etc.) and citizen’s appropriation.

plan contains a diversity of urban spaces, which changes in character and sizes. The overall

programs enable a wide spectrum of urban life and citizen appropriation. The two main urban

focal point - Central Taksim project pavilion - which will kick-start initiatives aimed to various

spaces - the Central Taksim plaza and the green edge - each in a different way allow multiple

communities and stockholders. The project pavilion will be present in the urban space from

programming of urban life and experiences of human scale. The green edge we propose

the day one and host workshops, development meetings and crowdfunding projects. It could

to design with a sensory experience within a radius of 2 m (by planting, lighting, urban

host a small warehouse for recycled materials from construction process, volunteer cinema

furniture, paving details). While for the Central Taksim plaza we intend to use the pattern

or small concerts.

For the citizen involvement in the transformation process, we propose to create a

of the original esplanade park as flexible zones to be programmed and filled with multiple

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Intimate playground situation in the hilly green edge of the Central Taksim

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Phase 2 team

ep Tre

rva rese

onsultant tion c

Biodiver s

ity co nsu lta n

t

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Lo

r te

Environmental ambitions ‘Preserved green and blue Taksim’

ca lm a

l ia co

s

nt

org an iza tio n

a ult ns

Profession: Certified landscape architect

ra l

ens

ltu Cu

Social ambitions ‘Liveable citizens Taksim’

Project management ‘Central Taksim’

Profession: Social sciences

Profession: Certified architect

Architectural ambitions ‘Coherent, dynamic and active Taksim’

L o c a l co

ARCHITECT

Lighting de

PROJECT LEADER

nsultant

mmunity consultan

ge co

ts or

citiz

ta heri

LIVEABILITY EXPERT

Profession: Certified architect

o

ne r

sign c

io es t qu

n s u ltan t Is

b ha n i l

bu l ur ba n

nts ita

ta n

URBAN PLANNER

pm lo ve

en

tc

Profession: Certified urban planner

de

ca Lo

Urban ambitions ‘Accessible Taksim’

on

lta su

nt

c Infrastru

ture consultant

L oc

a

la c t ivis ts

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

PROJECT SPECIALISTS:

ADVISORY CONSULTANTS:

PROJECT LEADER

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

ARCHITECT

ENVIRONMENTAL

Tasks:

Tasks:

Tasks:

• Tree preservation consultant

• Project process planning

• Tree preservation strategy

• Architectural design

• Biodiversity consultant

• Communication

• Tree replanting strategy

• Integration of cultural heritage

• Local material consultant

• Delivery supervision

• Tree and plants catalogue with local and

• Spatial integration of underground lines

compatable species

and stations

• Biodiversity concept

• Urban furniture deign

• Climate comfort water concept

• Infrastructure elements design • Lighting design • Material and surface catalogue

URBAN PLANNER

LIVEABILITY EXPERT

Tasks:

Tasks:

• Leveling of the site

• Liveability planning guidelines

• Infrastructure

• Community engagement strategy

• Speed and movement concept

• Temporary use strategy

• Integration of the site in the city

• 24-hour use programming strategy

• Phasing of the project

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ARCHITECTURAL • Local material consultant • Cultural heritage consultant • Lighting design consultant

URBAN • Istanbul urban development consultant • Infrastructure consultant

SOCIAL • Local activists • Local inhabitants questioner • Local community organizations

CENTRAL TAKSIM

TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION PHASE-1

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

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12.

13.

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15.

16.

17.

18.

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Central Taksim plaza Gezi canopy of trees Biodiversity gardens Metro entrances Funicular (F1) entrance New underground program entrance AKM entrance Bus stops Tramway (T2) stop Kiosks Outdoor sports Water sculpture Picknick area Bike path Fitness hill Play hill View point hill AKM hill Republic Monument InterContinental Istanbul

14 3

20

4

3

15 11

6 10

2

16

1

8

12

10

10 8 17 11 10

7 18

4 9

5 14 19

MODEL PICTURE