Speaker
Description
Public space and pedestrian mobility are interconnected elements that facilitate encounters, enable social interactions, and enhance the vibrancy of urban environments. This interrelation becomes particularly critical in historic towns, where the imperative to preserve cultural heritage must be harmonized with sustainable development objectives and urban functionality. As one of the representatives of such towns, Ayvalık, located in the North Aegean coastal region of Turkey in Balikesir, is an essential coastal town known for its landscape and natural, cultural, and historical heritage. It is also on the UNESCO tentative list due to its historical industrial landscape dating back to the second half of the 19th century. However, Ayvalık’s historical center faces various challenges, including urban obstacles that hinder pedestrian mobility, limited public space accessibility in several zones, car-oriented approaches dominating the environs of the coastline, and perceived safety issues based on the excessive prevalence of deserted properties. These problems especially get more in-depth during the summer, caused by the extensive tourist flow to central districts, creating different chaotic dynamics for both locals and tourists while performing daily tasks.
In this context, this study explores opportunities to enhance public spaces and improve pedestrian accessibility along the central coastline of Ayvalık, focusing on Atatürk Boulevard and its surroundings, which constitute the district's main axis. A three-step methodology was employed to address spatial challenges. First, in-depth interviews were conducted with local municipal professionals to identify key issues related to pedestrian mobility, coastal dynamics, and interventions aligned with UNESCO application process. Second, a field study combined with direct on-site observations was carried out, with findings documented and categorized using a location-based web mapping platform. Lastly, a spatial morphological analysis was performed, integrating data from the observational phase to identify and propose enhancements for potential urban spaces that could serve as coastal public areas.
As a result of the study, it has been observed that the central coastline of the Ayvalik acts as a service area underutilizing its potential to strengthen the urban image of the district. To back up this claim, more than ten parking lots have been identified and detailed, directly related to the two main parallel axes of the city (Atatürk and Cumhuriyet Streets). Three of them, in particular, are located on the shoreline and have the potential to be transformed into public spaces on the waterfront based on their size, scenic attributes, proximity to the town square and main axis, and may support a pedestrian-friendly route linking the center to the industrial heritage site. The mismanagement of car parking, besides, creates both perceived and traffic safety issues and limits pedestrian experience and comfort. The analysis also shows that several derelict structures on the coast and the pedestrian infrastructure are poorly maintained. Based on these findings, this research establishes a framework for providing participatory micro-interventions to enhance pedestrian mobility and integrate Ayvalık's historical center, Atatürk Boulevard, and the industrial heritage area within the premise of coastal publicness.
| Keywords | pedestrian mobility; public space; historical industrial landscape |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
