A comprehensive urban revitalisation approach has been developed to reconstruct the social, historic, and cultural memory of Aksaray Square, the Underground Bazaar, and the surrounding urban texture. This way, the original identity of cultural assets such as the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque and its surroundings is brought to the fore, while the spatial and urban potential of the Aksaray Underground Bazaar is revealed.
AT THE INTERSECTION OF VATAN AND MİLLET
The square is delineated by the intersection of Vatan and Millet Streets in the Fatih district of İstanbul. This area, where urban transport networks intersect, is an urban hub where the tram and metro lines meet as well as the boulevards and viaducts. The square is not only a transport node but also draws attention with the historical buildings around. In particular, the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque, the unique work designed by the Balyans in the 19th century, is the most important building in the cultural memory of the square.
REMOVED VIADUCTS, SQUARE MADE FLUENT
As part of the İstanbul Historic Peninsula Transportation Master Plan, the open space created by removal of existing viaducts was redesigned. This intervention not only eliminated physical barriers but also resolved the problem of major visual and acoustic obstacles at urban scale. As a result, perception of the Pertevniyal Mosque was enhanced, and the surrounding historical layers became visible once again. The route of the existing tram line was also reconfigured to support the continuity of the public space within the square.
MAKING HISTORIC FABRIC VISIBLE
A high-quality urban environment was created by removing elements that prevent the perception of the historical texture in Aksaray Square and its surroundings, experienced both on foot and on transit vehicles. Thus, the unique identity of both Aksaray Underground Bazaar and the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque with other cultural assets in and around them was made visible.
RE-ADJUSTMENT OF LEVELS
The structure of the Aksaray Underground Bazaar, currently accessed from four points of the square with limited and closed entrances, is imperceptible from outside and has some poor spatial touches. The renovation makes the bazaar well-incorporated with urban life. The elevated ground level of the street during the construction of the bazaar greatly limited the perception and accessibility of the mosque. Our design approach was centred on re-adjustment of levels, to offer a sunken courtyard in front of the Pertevniyal Mosque. The courtyard makes the mosque visible and reintegrates the historic building into urban life establishing a physical and visual connection with the square.
VIBRANT UNDERGROUND BAZAAR
The interior spatial organisation of the underground bazaar has been completely reconsidered. The existing single-storey commercial units are removed and free-planned; permeable and flexible commercial and cultural units are designed in-between the two slabs. As a result of this transformation, the bazaar is no longer just a shopping area, but a permeable, open public space that interacts with the city. The same design approach and language was applied on the opposite side of the avenue, providing smooth and perceptible access to the bazaar from both the north and south sides.
