Pedestrianization Gave a Breath of Fresh Air to Laleli

“Pedestrianization of Ordu Street and Surrounding Area and Traffic Circulation Project” implemented by Fatih Municipality with UKOME decision, gave a breath of fresh air to Laleli Region, which is an important trade and tourism center of the district.

Pedestrianization of Ordu Street and Connected Streets and Controlled Traffic Circulation Project eliminated the negative effects of vehicle traffic and random parking on tourism and commercial activities, while also increasing inhabitability of the Lower and Upper Laleli Region, Beyazıt Square and its surroundings. Gıyasettin Eyyüpkoca who is the Chairman of LASIAD (Laleli Industrialists and Businessmen's Association), which undertook the mission of being the most influential non-governmental organization in the region made statements to our newspaper together with tradesmen operating in the region regarding the project which ensured pedestrians could walk comfortably and safety while also bringing economic vitality by increasing use of streets and avenues it was applied in.

Gıyasettin Eyyüpkoca: With our pedestrianization project, which was initiated on August 16, 2021, our region almost started to breathe again. At the moment, as all Laleli shopkeepers and residents we are very pleased. Many storefronts are now exposed. With the road, parquet, border and pavement work we did in cooperation with Fatih Municipality, and the decorative lighting poles we made with IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality), the streets of Laleli gained their true appearance and beauty. Both domestic and foreign tourists and our foreign customers enjoyed a more peaceful shopping experience. We sincerely believe that this practice will increase our trade volume and the attractiveness of Laleli even more. We are grateful to Fatih Mayor M. Ergün Turan, were with us to solve all our problems, spending great effort into the realization of this practice, and working with his team day and night for development of Laleli even further and for the tradesmen here to trade more comfortably and peacefully.

Ercan ÇELİK: First of all, I would like to congratulate Fatih Municipality for realizing this long-awaited project. Most of our guests visiting our region are here for trade, as well as for cultural tourism. The busy streets had a very negative effect on the circulation. Now they can both travel and shop comfortably. May God bless all institutions and individuals, especially Fatih Municipality, who contributed to the project. There is no problem in the area at the moment. Our municipality gives cleaning, security and control services very successfully in the area.

Bilal VARLIK: We have been in Laleli since 1981. This application should have been done a long time ago. Laleli is an area that welcomes tourists from all over the world. Therefore, customers and tourists need to walk around comfortably. Especially due to busy vehicle traffic, wheelbarrows and 3-wheeled vehicles had to use the pavement. In addition to bothering the tourists, we witnessed dozens of injuries. These problems had a negative impact on our country’s image. Fortunately, these problems have disappeared with pedestrianization. Storefronts were not visible due to parked vehicles, and those who came to shopping had difficulty in finding what they were looking for. With the project, our storefronts here and our environment began to beautify. Changes are painful, of course, some people may have difficulty adjusting to it. However, when we convey our requests and problems with the application to our municipality, we can get instant flexibility and solutions. Thank you to all those who contributed.

Mert KARACA: We have been doing business here for 35 years. Both us as tradesmen and our guests are very satisfied with the pedestrianization project. With the project, both tourists can travel comfortably and we can load our products more easily. We remained hidden in the back due to traffic, noise, and busy traffic. Now our stores and storefronts have come to the front. We also receive very positive feedback from our customers, because previously they had problems with a place to walk. Thank you very much to our mayors.

MAYOR TURAN: “BOTH TOURISTS AND OUR SHOPKEEPERS ARE PLEASED”

Mayor Turan, who visits the historical streets that are closed to traffic whenever possible and consults with the shopkeepers in the area gave information on the subject: “This project increases the inhabitability especially in the Lower and Upper Laleli Region and Beyazıt Square and its surroundings, ensures comfortable movement and safety of pedestrians, and based on the increase in use of the streets and avenues project was applied in, brings economic vitality, considering the public interest. In Laleli, which is an important area of Istanbul in terms of both commercial and tourism activities, we see that our local and foreign tourists are happy after our pedestrianization project. Our shopkeepers also express their gratitude every time they see us. This is the center of Istanbul, and in a short time we will see more clearly that it was the right decision for our area, adding value to Fatih and the Historic Peninsula.

DETAILS OF PEDESTRIANIZATION PROJECT:

On the avenues and streets with controlled traffic circulation, only vans and minibuses of shopkeepers used for logistics purposes, vehicles registered with TÜRSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies), which transports passengers for touristic purposes, and commercial taxis will be able to operate between 10:00 a.m. and 09:00 p.m.

Shopkeepers will be able to carry out loading, unloading and other operations only from 09:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on pedestrianized avenues and streets other than those with controlled traffic circulation. Vehicles used for logistics purposes will be able to enter and exit the area twice a day, between 10.00 a.m. - 01.00 p.m. and 01.00 p.m. - 09.00 p.m. while vehicles registered with TÜRSAB can enter maximum three times a day between 10.00 a.m. - 09.00 p.m. These vehicles can stay in the area for unloading, loading and unloading purposes for a maximum of 30 minutes, while commercial taxis can stay for a maximum of 20 minutes for passenger loading and unloading. In order to control the traffic flow, 41 new hydraulic barriers were positioned at 22 new points in the area. Municipal police of Fatih Municipality conducts management of the area.