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Detailed view of Landscape Intervention and urban sitting at the Republic Monument; behind: Seasonal Architectural Pavilion and Gezi Park.

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MXC730TR A family takes the tramway from the Tünel Terminus and disembarks at the Republic Monument.

They then enter at the Taksim Sanat Galerisi to visit the current art exhibition.

Soon after, they walk towards the Public Art and Architecture Pavilion that just opened for the season and take a brief look.

Later on, they decide to enjoy the interactive water fountain show and rest at the shadowed area casted by the Gezi trees located at the urban stairs.

Minutes later, walk across the square and get tickets for the evening show at the theater located at the Atatürk Cultural Center.

Landscape of Attractions, Destinations and Activities

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To create a strong sense of belonging in users, Taksim must be human-oriented, creating a mental and emotional relationship with the square. Based on that, a series of factors are carefully introduced and located to strengthen the place attachment, its sense of place. First of all, participatory artistic and architectural projects presented on an annual, bi-annual or seasonal basis, selected through open competitions for young Turkish professionals, are at the core of the proposal. Both, the artistic and architectural pieces are to off er the opportunity to present innovative projects to engage not only with the visitors, but also with the unique urban surroundings. Secondly, located at the northern part of the square, a collection of water features ranging from interactive water jets for kids to play and as evening light-show installations, shallow refl ecting pools to walk barefoot, and large-scale urban benches to sit and lay on. Third: the urban stair and the arcade. A 140-meter-wide triangular stair that not only connects naturally the height diff erence between the Gezi Park and the square but also, performs as a natural urban setting for meeting, resting, chatting, and contemplating, working as a fantastic vantage point to experience the richness of the place from atop. At the southern edge of the square, an arcade is introduced to generate a porous border or element to partially-defi ne the square, performing not only as a piece of

Landscape Catalogue:

infrastructure to be used for temporary exhibitions or events; as an open corridor linking directly the Atatürk Cultural Center with the Republic Monument, but also as a shaded space, and as framework or structure to intervene with art competitions. Finally, the islands: placed in-between preferred people’s pathways or pedestrian traffi c, a series of multi-purposed islands are introduced to off er the users a range of reasons to see Taksim as a destination point, as a sociable and comfortable place. Islands englobe diff erent components such as food vendors, benches and outdoor chairs and tables, public restrooms, bicycle racks, waste receptacles, drinking fountains, digital-interactive Taksim maps and totems, solarpowered cellphone-charging stations, and natural and artifi cial elements to create shadows for sun comfort. Places prosper when locals and tourists have a range of reasons to be there, from places to sit, art to discover, music to appreciate, history to experience, playgrounds to enjoy or people to meet. Activities are the foundations of great places, they are the reasons why people visit them and continue to return, activities makes a place special.

1. Water Features.

The interactive fountains, the shadow refl ecting pool, and the walk on the water ring transform urban spaces.

2. The Interactive Space.

A collection of interactive art and installation pieces. Works designed and built by local artists and community. 3. The Arcade.

A component to intervene with art competitions. An urban corridor linking

Taksim Square, The Republic Monument, the AKM, and the urban fabric.

4. The Islands.

Enhance existing green areas with diff erent types of urban furniture.

5. The Urban Stair.

A natural linkage between the Square and

Gezi Park. An urban setting for meeting, resting, chatting and contemplating.

6-7. Architectural Summer Pavilions and Art Installations. Young Architects Programme + Istanbul Modern / Istanbul Biennale, Annual open architectural and art pavilion competition.

8. Social Interaction Amenities.

Food vendors, outdoor chairs and tables, public toilets, bicycle racks, solar-powered cellphone charging stations, free wi-fi .

9. The Grand Lawn.

Turf covered slopes built on the existing topography create the ideal setting for tree shaded spaces for recreational activities. 10. Children’s Playground. Designed in collaboration with children, designers and artists. This space can include game based learning activities.

11. Sports and Leisure. Outdoor furniture and equipment to exercise and engage in wellness-oriented community activities. 12. Cafes and Food Vendors. Additional installations that strengthen the existing food venues, linking the Gezi Park with the Urban Corridor.