Urban Development at #CK2018 | Merve Aki

1. A product of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
ASSESMENT OF ISTANBUL HISTORIC
PENINSULA PEDESTRIANIZATION PROJECT
A Business Model Case for Economic Participation
in a Pedestrianization Project
MERVE AKI, URBAN MOBILITY MANAGER, WRI TURKEY SUSTAINABLE CITIES
PHOTO CREDIT: CEREN SALMAN

2. LOCATION OF HISTORIC PENINSULA

3. WHAT IS HISTORIC PENINSULA PEDESTRIANIZATION
PROJECT ABOUT?
The large scale
pedestrianization project in the
Historic Peninsula was almost
finalized in October 2013.
The pedestrianization project
is an opportunity to conserve
and sustain the Historic
Peninsula’s built environment
and public spaces, and to
improve quality of life in the
area.

4. THE WORK OF WRI TURKEY SUSTAINABLE CITIES ON THE
PEDESTRIANIZATION OF HISTORIC PENINSULA

5. CURRENT STATE ASSESMENT PROJECT
• Since 2010, 295 streets in
Eminönü, Tahtakale,
Beyazıt, Laleli, Gedikpaşa
and Hocapaşa were
pedestrianized.
• The municipality also
carried out supporting
infrastructure projects
including:
– Repaving the newly
pedestrianized streets with
granite pavestones,
– Signalization, and
– Reorganization of waste
management services.

6. ECONOMIC DETAILS OF THE PROJECT
SUB-REGION EMINONU
General Details
Date 2011
Partners İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Fatih
Municipality, Istanbul 2010 European Capital of
Culture Agency
Number of Pedestrianizated Streets 90 streets
Cost of barriers 112.500 $
Cost of renovations 725.000 $ (for 12 streets renovated
by Fatih Municipality)
Total costs 837.500 $
Supporting projects Sultanahmet Square Pavement
Rehabilitation and Landscape Improvement Project
Details of Implementation
• Infrastructures renewals were
completed at pedestrianized streets.
• 10 car parking areas were closed
(İSPARK)
• New car parks were built for tourist
buses (each with 150-160 capacity)
• Official vehicles are allowed to enter
into the region
• Parking is not allowed for other
regular vehicles.
• Vehicles will be allowed in the
pedestrian-only zone between:
– 11pm to 8am during summer
– 9pm to 8am during winter to pick
up and deliver merchandise to
shops in the area.

7. ECONOMIC DETAILS OF THE PROJECT
SUB-REGION HOCAPAŞA
General Details
Date 2012
Partners Fatih Municipality
Number of Pedestrianizated Streets 15
Cost of barriers 22.500 $
Cost of renovations 725.000 $
(for 12 streets renovated by Fatih
Municipality)
Total costs 747.500 $
Details of Implementation
• 18 hydraulic vehicle stopping
barriers were used.
• Official vehicles are allowed
(embassies, the police, postal
service, banks and the fire
department, ambulances).
• Parking is not allowed for other
regular vehicles.
• Vehicles are allowed in the
pedestrian-only zone between
6pm-10am for deliveries.

8. ECONOMIC DETAILS OF THE PROJECT
SUB-REGION LALELİ
General Details
Date 2011 - 2012
Partners Fatih Municipality and Laleli
Businessmen Association (LASIAD)
Number of Pedestrianizated Streets 23
Cost of barriers 113.750 $
Cost of renovations 2.875.000 $
Total costs 2.988.750 $
Details of Implementation
• LASIAD conducted several
meetings with the Municipality to
start the pedestrianization in these
zones.
• Half of the project budget was
covered by LASIAD.
• LASIAD, as the contractor of the
Project, controls the traffic flow.
• Laleli Project Phase 2 covered the
largest area in comparison to other
pedestrianization projects in the
Historic Peninsula.
• 240 hydraulic vehicle stopping
barriers were used.
• Streets lights were renewed.
• Waste containers were renewed.
https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/2011/04/20/alt-laleli-de-arac-trafigine-kapatiliyor
https://www.ntv.com.tr/ekonomi/yayalasma-sirasi-alt-lalelide,4w4zQfG86E2PnJljY6Hnyg

9. ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT
Source: Litman (2003)
Sermons and Seredich (2001)
http://v3.arkitera.com/h59474-carsi-yayalastirma-projesine-karsi.html
Local communities might not initially recognize economic benefits of
pedestrianization projects. Often, local businesses believe pedestrianization
will adversely affect their revenues due to reduced traffic and footfall.
However, successful implementations and many studies around the world
show that pedestrianization contributes to increased retail activity.
In the beginning of pedestrianization process of Historic Peninsula there
were several concerns about the Project, especially from the local
businesses. Their concerns were mainly about:
• Security
• Delivery
• Lack of participatory process
• Losing their customers
• Losing their business

10. ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT
The benefits of improving conditions for non-motorized street users at the vicinity of urban small
business are:
• Economic Revitalization and Property Values,
• Attractiveness and Safety,
• Sales and Attracting Customers,
• Parking,
• Impact on Employees,
• Construction and Costs
Some reduction on turnovers can be observed in the initial years of implementation during the
transition period. After a while, the local business owners figured out that pedestrianization has
provided a good effect on their business. So, Laleli sub-region’s pedestrianization Project start with
this recognization.
A survey with more than 100 cities around the World showed that 49% of all the pedestrian areas
developed experienced an upward trend in retail turnover, while only 18% experienced a decrease,
and %25 stayed stable.
(OECD, 1978)
(Hass-Klau,1993)

11. WHAT DOES LOCAL BUSINESS THINK ABOUT
PEDESTRIANIZATION IN HISTORIC PENINSULA?
When the first survey was conducted, we figured out that the local business were mainly
worried about the effects of pedestrianization.
49% 39% 12%
55% 33% 12%
73% 19% 8%

12. THANK YOU!
EMAIL: merve.aki@wri.org
BLOG: TheCityFixTurkiye.com
WEB: WRIsehirler.org
WEB: WRIRossCities.org