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THE CHANGE ANALYSIS OF THE GREEN SPACES OF HISTORICAL --- ' PENINSULA iN 1STANBUL- ' ... -- -- C - -•· ··- -- ' --- 1

Nilufer KART AKTAS

PbD. Assistant Professor lstanbul University, Faculty of Forestry Department of Landscape Planning and Design

Abstract Historical Peninsula, having a 2700 year historical background, serving a capital city of three empires, having a strategic position to present, offering unique natural beauties, architectural and archeological values and silhouette, was declared as a protected area in 1995. Until today the area has been planned several times, however none of them addressed crucial issues of the city and caused conversion of historical downtown to suburban areas, which is considered as a common problems of historical cities. Then, the Historical Peninsula, through both social and physical changes, has experienced entity alteration identity permutation and stili it changes. The purpose of this study is to investigate, the spatial formation of Historical Peninsula from past to present through literature review and visual materials (like map, photograph, ete); establishment of green spaces shaped from past to present with social structure; and alterations of those spaces formed by political decisions and planning rules, physical and social conditions, by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. To conduct the study, several maps ofthe referred peninsula, prepared in different dates and time periods, are selected by considering their time period, resolution and appearances and then the aspects and size of the green spaces have been specified. As a result of study, functional and spatial changes of green areas in Historical Peninsula were studied in historical process.

Keywords: Urban landscape, urbanization, change analysis, green spaces, Historical Peninsula

1. Introduction The function of cities, in generaL has changed and developed rapidly, in time, ali around the world, depending upon the various factors. The cities also spread through the huge amount of areas and as a result of these changes, they have begun to have different identities, in terms of history and politics. The political, pyhsical and technological changes have resulted in the destroying of the textures of the cities. This is, mostly, because of the change of the values on the peoples' appearing itself, in a different form and the new demands by the peoples. Consequently, because of ali these factors, the areas, in the big cities, have become the collapsed areas. The transformation process has appeared and stili appears itself in the city of too, as it has appeared itself in the other developed cities around the world. The city of Istanbul has attracted huge amounts of people from Anatolian part of the country to itself as immigrant workers. As a result, this has caused bad urbanization in the city and its population rose from 1,000,000 to 9,000,000 in a very short time. it has become a huge metropol city today. Ultimately, the city of Istanbul has passed through a stage of huge change and development architecturely in the last twenty years (Ergun, 2003). Asa result, we see and face a different architectural structure in the city, on Historical Peninsula, Istanbul. The ultimate structure of the city has appeared itself as being full of minor scaled commercial shops and manufacturing workshops, which have been integrated somehow with the historical environment around them. This different feature of the city makes it uncommon and unique among alt the other big cities. The so-called central inner region of Istanbul, which was separated from the outer parts of the city by a great wall is the old, historical, culturally valuable and main part of the city. in other words, it is called the Historical Peninsula. But, due to bad urbanization, which has occurred in an uncontrollable way so far, this central part ofthe historical city faces some serious problems both structurely and architecturally. After having been passed through big changes, from time to time, physically, politically, culturally, it is possible, now, for this region to collapse easily against a serious earthquake. The social and cultural low level structure of the people of the city has caused dramatic and unwanted physical changes to the city, too. Because of the high demand from the people of the city for buying lots and parcels in the city has resulted in a leap in the price value of the parcels, lots, houses and buildings, in general. Due to high prices of the lots suitable for construction of buildings, especially in the central part of the city has caused a serious difficulty in sites to be built as green and recreational areas, so there are rare recreational and green areas in the city now. Both, in ancient times, and to the near past, Istanbul was the city, which was full of vegetable gardens, fields for and the ethnic minorities from different origins, living peacefully, besides it was a centre for trade, transport, the administration of the country. Unfortunately, there is no enough empty areas for greening the city anymore. By the way, the worst of ali is that the existing green and recreational areas, in the city, is of poor quality simply.

2. Material Historical Peninsula is densely populated region in working life and also at the same time has the most important historical opuses in Istanbul. Haghia Sophia Mosque, Blue Mosque, Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Square, the world famous Covered Bazaar, Complex, Museum of Basilica Cistern, Mosaics Museum, Kariye (Chora) Museum, Archaeological Museum and lots of others are located in this peninsula. Also Historical Peninsula is the centre of the government. Govemorship of Istanbul, lots of offices of tax administration are in this peninsula. Many faculties oflstanbul University, important libraries, hospitals are in Historical Peninsula. Also this region has the most important archaeological values of Istanbul.

The total area ofHistorical Peninsula is 1562 hectare.

2.1. Historical Perspective of Historical Peninsula Historical Peninsula, having 2700 year historical background and serving a capital city of three empires can be introduced in 5 period. 1. Grek Period 2.East Rome Period 3 .East Rome-Byzantine Period 4. Ottoman Period 5 .Republic Period

2.2. lntroduction of Study Area and its Environment in this section, location, topography, archaeological situation, cultural situation and visual situation are investigated. 2.2.1. Locatioo . Historical Peninsula has a geographical location limited in the north Haliç, in the south Marmara Sea, in the west land walls, spread out to the east (Figure 1).

Figure Location of Historical Peninsula

2.2.2. Topography The landscape of the city has played an important role, in terms of the development of the city architecturally so far. As an old and historical city built on the seven hills, it has a unique feature with its monuments, historical and modem buildings. After alL the different features ofthe city serve to create an impressive silhouette, somehow (Anonymus, 2004).

2.2.3. Archaeological Situation The Historical Peninsula of the city hides precious values in its underground from the past archeologically. Because of this, the Historical Peninsula, spreading through and including the provinces of Eminönü and , is under protection by law and it has been declared as historic sites by the regulation, taken by the First Council for the Protection of the Cultural and the Natura! properties in IstanbuL dated 12/07/1995, numbered 6848 (Anonymus, 2004). The city, as the capital city for both Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, then, becoming one of the most important cities of the modem Republic of Turkey, successively, has had many inhabitants and buildings on it, so far. However, the architectural structure of the city makes it impossible for doing secure archeological excavations. As a result of this awkward situation, the information related to the architectural history of the city can only be obtained from the ancient manuscripts and some other antique records (Tekin, 1996). By saying the core of the city, or, in other words, the centre of Byzantium it was meant the region where the Topkapi Palace and the built on, today. The area on which the Topkapi Palace built was the acropolis of the city. There were some temples in the acropolis. it was known that there were two or three seaports in the Golden Hom at the time. in some ancient records, it was reported that there was an agora, which hada statue ofHelios on it, encompassed by four galleries supported by four columns. The Greek historian of this Ksenophon told about the presence of a large square called Thrarion. On the north city. square there was an area called Strategion where lived the most important men of the Empire Besides, it was told about the presence of some gynasiums and cisterns. In the Roman lt period, the city was not bounded by region only and it spread out of its borders. of the is known that a viaduct built for carrying water to the city was made in the reign of the emperor Hadrianus between the years 117-138 A.D. In the meantime, building years hypodrome of the city was begun in the reign of the emperor Constantinus between the of the 306-337 A.D. There was a theatre building, in the city, which was built in the reign emperor Septimus Severus. The most important building structures as baths called Akhilleus in this was the one near the Strategion. But, these structures, so far, we have mentioned article, were totally destroyed and there are not nearly any remnants today (Tekin, 1996). it In the Roman Empire period, the city was not bounded by Sarayburnu region only and was spread out of its borders. It is known that a viaduct built for carrying water to the city made in the reign of the emperor Hadrianus between the years 117-13 8 A. D. In the meantime, building of the hypodrome of the city was begun in the reign of the emperor Constantinus built in between the years 306-337 A.D. There was a theatre building, in the city, which was baths the reign of the emperor Septimus Severus. The most important building structures as have called Akhilleus was the one near the Strategion. But, these structures, so far, we mentioned in this article, were totally destroyed and there are not nearly any remnants today. Nearly the whole region of the province called Eminönü and besides, the region called surface Sultanahmet-Cankurtaran are the rich parts of Istanbul, with its antiques both on the and in the underground. In the province of Fatih, the region covering -Balat is valuable region for its having antiques, historical buildings, sites, and cultural heritage (Anonymus, 2004).

2.2.4. Cultural Situation The Historical Peninsula, which is nearly 2700 years old, has a rich and unique historic cultural heritage, in the world. The whole Historical Peninsula has been declared as a cultural site. Besides, the most parts of the region has been registered in the list of the world's of the heritages by UNESCO. The agreement called "The Protection and Conservation other World's Cultural and Natural Heritage" was signed and took effect in the year 1972. In 20th words, the antiques, the historic sites, monuments, ete. from prehistoric times_ to the list. In century, and the whole cultural and natural values of the world have been added in the 1985 Istanbul was included in the list, as a city being a settlement place for the different peoples fora period of over 5000 years, both architecturally and archiologically. The Sultanahmet Archiological park, the Süleymaniye mosque and, in addition to this, their the mosque in Zeyrek, which was converted from the church to the mosque, and under surrounding area and the Walls of Istanbul have been declared as the historical areas protection by the government and UNESCO. And, they are ali in the list of World's Heritage List. Istanbul contains many historical buildings from the periods of the Roman Empire, old Byzantium and the Otoman Empire, architecturally. The most impressive and valuable the buildings of the city are the wooden houses, which, still, exist in the region, including provinces Zeyrek, Süleymaniye, Fener and Balat and their surroundings. Lots of fountains, baths, ete. may be considered as the good samples of the production of the civil architecture of their periods. is The famous W ali of the city, which was built to protect the city called Byzantium, city, regarded as one of the strongest walls in the first historic age. After the expansion of the the wall was withdrewn towards the north, in time, and, it has reached to age without being destroyed.

2.2.5. Visual Situation The Historical Peninsula, the central IstanbuL is unique among its rivals, having the features of both historical and modern architecture, with its old and new buildings, houses and, its nature, side by side. This gives the city an impressive and unique silhouette. The Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the other old, historical mosques on the hills of the Historical Peninsula could be stated among the ones, which create the silhouette of the city before mentioned (Figure 2).

Figure 2. A view of silhouette from Historical Peninsula (www.wowturkey.com)

The Historical Peninsula was built on the seven hills. Nearly, on each hill, some monumental buildings were built. The monumental and historical buildings on each hill cause to create a different ambience. And this ambience mak:es the hills more visible and striking, with the modem buildings built on the outskirts ofthem, now.

2.2.Method

The purpose of this study is to investigate, the spatial formation of Historical Peninsula from past to present through literature review and visual materials (like map, photograph, gravure, ete); establishment of green spaces shaped from past to present with social structure; and alterations of those spaces formed by political decisions and planning rules, physical and social conditions, by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. To conduct the study, several maps ofthe referred peninsula, prepared in different dates and time periods, are selected by considering their time period, resolution and appearances and then the aspects and size of the green spaces have been specified, characteristics and size of the green spaces planning proposals through the history have been paid. in research process, Autocad 2008, Netcad 4.0 ve ArcGIS 9.1 (GIS-Geographic Information System) softwares were used. To determine changes of green spaces in time period, the maps which are digitized in a vector fonnat, used as base in GIS context. in GIS context, the qualitative and quantitative changes are determined with overlay analysis. 3.Results

3.1. Tbe Cbange Process of Historical Peninsula When examined closely, the Historical Peninsula may easily be understood that it has passed through the big changes architecturally. These changes are social, physical, economical. And the variations in the individual and the social demands and new necessities may be added to the changes, too. Social changes may be the most efficient reason of city changes. Such that, while social changes have occured, the physical changes have ocurred too. However, while being investigated historical process, the reason of physical changes of Historical Peninsula is not only social changes but also fires, earthquakes and epidemics. The main calamities, on the Historical Peninsula, have been due to the big fires. Over 90 big fire incidents occurred in Istanbul in the 18th century. The big in the years, 1718, 1756 or 1782 caused a great damage in the area covering from Cibali, the Golden Hom, to the the shores of Langa in the Marmara Sea, by destroying the whole wooden houses around region mentioned before. It is estimated that the old and bad wooden houses, reaching today, on the Historical Peninsula, are remnants from the time when those big fires occurred. The of people of Istanbul was recommended to make and build their houses from stone instead wood, after those big fires. But, the lack ofboth time and funding for the people in a desperate situation, who were in need of shelter in a short time, in those times, prevented them from building houses from stone. And, unfortunately, the people of Istanbul preferred to build in wooden houses, in a haphazard way. Those buildings are called "'Istanbul Type Houses" today's architectural jargon. Although these wooden houses were built easily and quickly, they were burned easily and quickly, too, afterwards (Yerasimos, 1996). The people fled from the Anatolia due to the rebellion called Celali, came to Istanbul. in Not only these people but lots of people of the Ottoman empire, due to the war conditions the Europian part and after the breakout of Crimmerian war, or after some rebellions occurred to in the different parts of the Otoman empire had to come, or in other words, immigrate Istanbul. The population of the city increased enourmously and suddenly at those times, but the population growth of the city decreased by the bubonic plague in Istanbul (Yerasimos, 1996). The earthquakes have made great impact and been another great factors played role on the forming of the landscape of Istanbul. The city has been damaged by the earthquakes from 54 time to time, as a city on a fault line. We learn from the different records ttiat nearly as earthquakes has happened in the city so far. As we have a large number of records such 54 chronicals and manuscripts, we know much about the earthquakes in the 6th century. The earthquakes between the years 342-1454 AD. damaged the city in wide scale. The changes of green spaces in Historical Peninsula, generally have investigated in two title as social changes and physical changes.

3. 1. 1. Social Cbanges in 700 B.C. it is known that there was a people called Megara lived on the Historical Peninsula, who were chiefly and fishmongers and traders. They lived in the small area, now, called Sur-u Sultani (The Wall of The Sultanate). The population of Byzantium the was nearly 40,000 and its people mostly dealt with trade. On the hill, which was built on Topkapi Palace, stood the city's main acropolis. On the Northwest of the Acropolis, which were close to the coastal area, there were a gynasium, a temple, a stadium and similar on buildings. On the southwest of the Acropolis there were units for the administration and of the South of the Acropolis there were private premises belonged to the high income people the time and beneath them there were the premises belonging to the people from middle class. in 196 AD., in the reign of Roman emperor Septimus Severus, the first Wall of the city was built and the city spread out in the direction of the South to the Southwest (Anonymus, 2004). in JJ,O AD... by .tbe: dea:ee afthe empemr Co:nstan.tia,,. tbe ,city M1:2S, and '" ""'1,,,h,· .. ~,.-.J n'·""'""'' ,. ,, .. ... ~,.L_ .~·-·--··-.r . ' . . . '"'~~,.~· .~_.• ,Cl,;)' /it: the !ine of the Waf I in dfrectfon of' the west, order to create a new settlement a:rea for people anda seaport was built, too. Consequently, in his reign, the population of the city rose from 150,000 to 200,000. Besides, the new seaports were built on the coast of Marmara near the Wall, as parallel with the growth of the city. His aim was mainly to create an important and strong capital city. in 330 AD. by the decree ofthe emperor Constantin, the city was rebuilt and Constantin gave his name for the city, and, the name of the city became Constantinopolis. He extended the Iine of the Wall in direction of the west, in order to create a new settlement area for the people and a seaport was built, too. Consequently, in his reign, the population of the city rose from 150,000 to 200,000. Besides, the new seaports were built on the coast of Marmara near the Wall, as parallel with the growth of the city. His aim was mainly to create an important and strong capital city (Anonymus, 2004). After appearing many walls other than the ones built by the Constantin, a new wall called Teodosios was built, too. Consequently, after these changes, the borders of the Historical Peninsula has taken the shape of the today. But, the region between the walls built in the reign ofTeodosios and Konstantin was not preferred as an attractive settlement area by the people of Byzantium. And, the population, in this area, was rare. in the parts behind the Walls, the monastaries, the villas and the vegetable gardens were set up. Yet, after moving the palace of Bytantium to the Blahernai, as an exception, the region between Blahernia and Tekfur Palace became a dense settlement area. The foreigners would settle in the coastal area called the province Eminönü today. During the time of the invasion by Latins, the city was destroyed and looted. And, in addition to these, because of the diseases and plagues, the population decreased in large amounts and dropped to nearly 30,000 - 50,000 in the 15th century. After having been conquered by the Sultan Mehmet II of the Otoman Empire, lots of people was forced to move and settle in Istanbul from the different parts of the empire. These people were muslim, christian and jewish subjects of the empire. After Crimmerian war, the Armenian subjects were settled in the region between the and Balat, and In the reign of the Sultan Yawz Selim, the Armenian subjects were settled to the region called and the jewish people fled fro~ the Spanish inquisition were settled to the region called Balat. All these movements caused the cosmopolitan formation ofthe city, demograhically. The jewish subjects of the Otoman Empire, who lived in the region called Balat in the 15th century, had lived in the and Eminönü before that century, then after the big fire in the year 1660, they resettled in the region called Ballat again, because of the extension work of the city' s seaport and the building ofa new mosque called Yeni Camii by the Mother Sultan Turhan. The Greek subjects lived in the region called Fener, was the spiritual centre of the Orthodox Church. Fener region was the place of the most important subjects of the Otoman Empire, as the translators for the empire in the Foreing Office Department, and so, they were both the aristocrats and the favourites of the Palace 2007). The neighborhood called Karagüm.rük of the Otoman Empire was one of the most important neighborhoods with its respected Turkish people, who were tradesmen, artisans and civil cervants of the Empire educated in the medreses, religious schools of the Empire. Especially, it was well known with its people's speaking way ofthe Turkish language, which is called the Istanbul dialect today in literature. There were a lot of medreses in this region, because of this, most of the religious clerics, "ulemas" were of this neighborhood. The p_resence of the medreses and its being close to the ceremonial road gave an advantageous situation to the neighborhood and it grew rapidly. The neighborhood became one of the important centers with its dervish Iodges and the private premises ofthe muslim clerics, this is because of its being near the Fatih medreses 2007). The neighborhood called and Samatya were the settlement places for the Armenian people. This regions were well known with their storage houses for wood and the bars for the fishermen. is famous for its churches and the office building belonged to the Armenian patriarchate. as the center for the fishmongers and the vegetable sellers would become a neighborhood, supplying food to the city, in time 2007). Fatih and Süleymaniye, in both the times of Byzantium and the Ottoman empire were the main well known and crowded neighborhoods ofthe city. Today's province of Fatih was the most elegant neighborhood in the period of Byzantium. Süleymaniye and Fatih were the neighborhood, full of the high educated Turkish muslim clerical class of the empire, mollas, dervishes, kadis ete. And, it could be said that those two neighborhoods give us a picture of the living history of the muslim high educated clerical class called "ilmiye" of the empire. To enter into this class would be the main aim of the Turkish children from Anatolian and Europian parts of the empire. This was the only way for them to be able to reach the high classes ofthe empire, socially 2007). Zeyrek was one of the most elegant neighborhood of the city, which was ful) of beautiful villas, having a beautiful panorama. It experienced the worst crisis in the history of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire. The monastery and church called Pantokrator in the period of Byzantium was converted to mosque, and it was called Molla Zeyrek mosque 2007). One of the main factors, which has made effect on the social structure of Istabul is due to trade. Many small scaled harbours built on the coast ofthe Golden Hom would result in the growing of the city as a trading center, especially, the part, in Eminönü, called "Hanlar Bölgesi" (The region oflnns) 2007). Over the l 8th century, because of the increasing problems like the loose order, the overcrowdedness, the big fires and the plagues, in the city, the people of Istanbul began to prefer to move to the north of the Golden Hom as a new settlement places. In the 19th century, there would be great development in the regions called Galata and Pera by the opening and building of the new foreign office buildings like embassies, banks. During this peri od, the em pire was in the efforts of westemizing itself. Because of this new d_evelopment, in order to be close to the new center of the city, the Dolmabahçe Palace was built and the Sultan moved to his new palace, which was closer to the new center of the city, and never came back to Topkapi Palace again. In other words, the Ottoman dynasty left the old Historical Peninsula as a result. During this period, the muslim, Greek, Armenian and jewish families of the people of the empire would prefer to move to the north of the Golden Hom, leaving their neighborhoods in their old settlement areas on the Historical Peninsula, while the empire was trying to open itself towards the Occident, culturally and economically, too (Yerasimos, l 996). In the 20th century, the people from the rich class of the empire moved to the province called today, leaving Balat, Fener and Samatya. Then, the poor people from the lower class of the empire occupied those abandoned settlement places on the Historical Peninsula. And, because of this change, there would appear new poor neighborhoods close to the Wall of the city, on the Historical Peninsula. Asa result, Balat and Fener regions would become an area of slums in the city, and this poor condition and outlook is still the same today 2007). 3. 1.2.Physical changes In the historical process from past to present, the characteristics of users and the usage in properties have changed. Parallel to the user changes, the green spaces also have altered. in the the scope of this unit, the physical changes of Historical Peninsula are determined by historical process. The maps was prepared between 1887-1882 by Ekrem Ayverdi, Necip in 1918, 1965 and 1999 have been studied.

3.1.2.1.Map of Ekrem Ayverdi These maps were drawn by the office engineers between the date of 1875-1882 and of published by Ekrem Ayverdi. The scale of these maps are 1/2000 and the language the original maps are in Otoman Turkish. The green spaces have grouped as vegetable garden, mosque garden, square, graveyard, garden garden, pasture, home garden, public garden, school garden, private garden, palace and empty space. Between 1875-1882, total area of green spaces was 277,2 hectare and the biggest (Figure portion ofthe green spaces was vegetable garden with the percent of% 63,7 (Table 1) 3).

Table l: Green spaces functions and quantity as to map of Ekrem Functions Quaility Quantity (ha) Perceot (%) 63,7 Vegetable garden passive 176,6 passive 5,3 Mosque garden 14,6 passive 10,3 Square 28,6 passive 3 Graveyard 8,5 passive 4,8 Garden 13,3 0,8 Pasture 2,2 passive 0,5 Home gardens 1,5 passive 1,4 Public garden 4 passive School garden 2,2 0.8 passive 0,003 Private garden 0,008 passive Palace gar

Total 277). 100 \.t•\P OF EKRE~ HAKKI AYVERDI ( 1875-1882)

---·--_a •..__ ....----- __ ------

.. ... " ,.. -:wrm ~..._.,._.,, Figure 3. Map of Ekrem Ayverdi

3.1.2.2.Map of Necip This map is the topographic urban map that was drawn by Mr. Necip with the scale of 1/5000 in 1918. The green spaces were grouped as vegetable garden, mosque garden, square, graveyard, garden, pasture, public garden, school garden, private garden, vacant lot, empty space, park refuge and military zone (Table 2) (Figure 4).

Table 2. Green spaces functions and quantity as to map of Mr. Necip Functions Quality Qoantity (ha) Percent (%) Vegetable garden passive 187,8 40,2 Mosque passive 27 6 Square passive 10 2,1 Graveyard passive 0,05 0,01 passive Garden 13,6 3 Pasture passive 10,62 2,3 Public garden passive 1,9 0,4 passive School garden 0,5 0,1 Private gard.en passive 0,3 0,06 Vacantlot passive 77,3 17 Empty spaces passive 0,1 0,02 passive Park 123,1 26,5 passive Refuge 0,1 0,02 Military zone passive 0,1 0,02 Other green speces passive 3,7 Total 467,7 100 ---....._ 1 __ __ .,-·-...... ___ _.. -·------.. - ....-(,, ...... ,.,.., ,...... -_... -·--·-

Figure 4. Map of Necip

3. 1.2.3. Map- 1965

These maps are made up of 7 pieces but they are not formed the whole peninsula. The green spaces have been grouped as mosque gardens, graveyard, sporting areas, refuge and empty spaces. üne can see sports areas as an active green space at first time (Table 3), (Figure 5).

Table 3. Green spaces functions and quantity as to map in 1965 Functions Quality Quantity (ha) Percent (%) Green spaces passive 412,7 91 Graveyard passive 4 0,9 Mosque garden passive 16 3,5 Refuge passive 11 2,4 Court passive 6,2 1,4 Sporting area aktive 2,5 0,6 Empty spaces passive 0,1 0,2

Total 452,5 100 ...... 1 t C,, ___'-il -4-·---- ...... ,

Figure 5. Map ( 1965)

3.1.2.4. Map-1999

They were prepared from air photographs taken in 1996 and othophotos certified in 1998 with the scale of 1/5000 and 1/1000. These maps are made up of 63 pieces in the scale of 1/1000 and 10 pieces in the scale of 1/5000. in Historical Peninsula, like variety of existing functions, there have been various types of open and green spaces. The total area of green spaces such as botanical garden, parks, sports areas, vegetable garden, square, was 153,8 hectare (Table 4) (Figure 6).

Table 4. :Distribution of existing green spaces in Historical Peninsula (Planlama ve imar 2003) Eminönü Fatih Total Green spaces Quality Area Percent Area Percent Area Percent (ha) (%) (ha) (%) (ha) (%)

Botanic garden passive 1,6 0,3 1,6 0,1 Parlc.s and green spaces active 49,5 9,7 74,5 7,2 124,0 7,9 Vegetable garden passive 9,8 0,9 9,8 0,7 Sporting area active 2,3 0,5 10,5 1,0 12,8 0,8 Square passive 5,6 1,1 5,6 0,4 Total 59 11,6 94,8 9,1 153,8 9,9

But the areas such as military zone, mosque, church and synagogue areas, hospital areas, university areas, parking areas, archaeological areas and empty spaces should be added to these green spaces. ..,_

LEGEND ----1 ...... ,...... -----''.'.·:-- ~-.... ---·~----

Figure 6. Map (2004)

4. Conclusion

Cities are in the process of changing to prevent the needs of today' s life. Bu the changes, especially in the historical city centres, tum into problems. These problems are social problems such as intensive migration, increase of erime, security and unemployed problems and physical problems such as densely urbanization, transportation and infrastructure problems, lack of planning. Historical Peninsula had a population of 14.805 in 1477, but in 1927 the population became 900.000. 250.000 ofthe population were living in the inside ofland walls. The houses with gardens and vegetable gardens were seen inside the land walls. People were gathered in mosque squares and use their gardens for recreational activities. The tali trees planted along the garden walls provided security. in the gardens, there were ali types of fruit trees, designed areas and water elements by ali means. Throughout the 18. century, due to the lack of public security, intensive population, fire and epidemic disease, people emigrated to the north of Haliç from the city centre. People became to prefer the gardens of Bosphorus for resting and enjoying. Not only people but also sultans had built summer houses in Bosphorus. The rich people were moved to north Haliç and Bosphorus. in 19. Century, as a result of the fires which affected Historical Peninsula deeply, the quantity and size of the existing green spaces were decreased. Not only fires, but also intensive immigration to the peninsula, caused the transfonnation of houses with gardens into the apartments. Asa result of this, the concept of house gardens became to disappear. This result can be seen at the map of Ekrem Ayverdi. Also the empty spaces with the percent of% 7.3 were thought to be transformed after the fires determined that they are the 3rd biggest green spaces after vegetable garden and square. From the middle of the 19. century on, the city became to grow with the movement of rich people from the peninsula especially Karagümrük, Haseki, Fener, Balat region. The reason of this was transformation of Historical Peninsula to slum. in this period, especially vegetable gardens- and houses with gardens transformed to apartments with eamed economic income. As a result of this. the open spaces quantity decreased. Then, the concept of "municipality park" appeared. The empty spaces that can be seen in the map of Ekrem Ayverdi with the percent % 7.3, decreased to % 0.02 in the map of Necip. Also percent of vacant lot became % 17 percent. This is thought that is the result of the movement of improvement. Besides, on this map, the statement of "park" as an active green zone has been stated The Gülhane Park was prepared and opened to public in 1912. it was also, clearL on the map of Mr. Necip. Besides, because of the increase in the number of the people on the Historical Peninsula, a lot of mosques were built and this increased the rate of the yards of the mosques. When examined closely in terms of the total distribution of the green areas on the maps explained above; it is obvious that the map ofEkrem dated 1875-1882 consists the least green areas. But, it can be explained that this is because of not being a plan for the region at that time and the refuges on the roads were not added to the plan as empty places for

it is understood that the year 1918 was the year which existed the most green areas in the city. On the other map drawn in 1965. and it is still in our hands. which covers not the whole Historical Peninsula, we see a great scale of green areas. Until 1950, lstanbul had protected on a large scale. From 1950 on, the result of rapid urbanization and movement of improvement became to change. The historical values were paid insufficient attention while designing the city. lf we examine closely, we see a green area in the lots of 354,6 hectares on the map drawn in 1999, the map is stil in our hands safely. We have only a few old fields and vegetable gardens, which could reach today. And, they are mostly the ones in the surrounding area ofthe Wall, which is declared as the green band under protection. Today, in Historical Peninsula there is no space for green spaces. in the complex of functions, peninsula' s existing green spaces are composed of open spaces of historical building (mosque gardens, palace gardens ete.), squares, large coastal parks, land walls proteced areas, coast of Halic and Marmara, on a small scale neighbourhood parks and sporting areas. Gulhane Park, Eminonu, and Sultanahmet Squares, coastal parks are the breathing places of people. But especially in Eminonu, small scale parks can not provide the people' s recreational necessities. · The changes in the function and the density in the population, have affected the Historical Peninsula deeply, resulting in the lack of empty areas to green the city. The high population density of the city has caused to increase the prices of the lots extremely. As a result, only some small areas could have been greened and built recreational areas in the city. Consequently, with its high population density, the city have become a very difficult place to live comfortably, due to the lack of green and recreational areas, and, in other words, there has been no enough room, or, place for people to take a deep breath comfortably. in the light of these determinations Historical Peninsula isn't appropriate for its identity. The whole systems that are formed the spatial integrity should be harmonious with each other and with green spaces. Also they should provide quality criteria. it should be the main goal to protect the historical environment, architectural properties, archaeological opus and environment and silhouette. it should provide the real identity of Historical Peninsula. ' f l

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http://www.wowturkey.com i'

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