Pedestrian movements in commercially transformed residential areas: Levent bazaar, Istanbul

Abstract

Urban spaces undergo numerous transformations depending on growth and development dynamics of cities. This process can occur within both physical and socio-economic contexts. Besides, built environment can be conserved while socio-economic transformation is obtained. With growth and development of the central business districts (CBD) of cities, commercial transformation of residential areas and change of their spatial identity have become a common occurrence. This spatial change affects the users of such spaces and therefore, accessibility and intensity of pedestrians increase accordingly with the new transportation policies. This study examines the impact of morphological and functional layouts of built environments on pedestrian movement. The case area of Levent which has been built as a single-family housing area on the peripheral zones of Istanbul has later become an important commercial centre with the growth and the development of the CBD. Today, much of the district has been functionally transformed. However, the built environment has been largely protected through the laws that do not permit new folds on the buildings. Levent Bazaar has also become the main backbone of the sub-centre, which was a “local trade” nucleus of the residential area in 1950s with only commercial units on the ground level. In this context, the users of the bazaar have become urban and the number of pedestrians has consequently increased. The study contributes to literature in terms of questioning the relationship between morphological and functional layout and pedestrian movement in a commercially transformed urban space. The negative and positive aspects which demonstrate the stated relationship have been identified with the results of natural environment, built environment and pedestrian movement analysis. In the context of these findings, urban design proposals that aim to improve pedestrian comfort and spatial quality have been determined conceptually.