Winners of Topkapı Kaleiçi Square Urban Design Project Competition Received Their Awards

The winners of Urban Design Project Competition, organized to reveal the historical and cultural value of Topkapı Kaleiçi Square in the Land Walls Protection Area, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and to bring it back to the city, received their awards with a ceremony.

20 projects competed in the competition, whose applications started in January. When the project, which has become entitled to be implemented, is implemented, Fatih's historical and cultural accumulation will be passed on to the future generations. The aim of the project is to bring Topkapı Kaleiçi Square, which is on the UNESCO's World Heritage List, to daily life and to preserve its historical background. Within the scope of the works, the Land Walls National Garden will also be put into the service of the district. Architect Batu Kepekçioğlu and his team were presented with an award of 125 thousand TL for their project, which was selected as the winner and which is related to the removal of the existing bus stops and the construction of a square, event venue, tea garden and city terraces.

“WE WILL ADD OUR NEW SQUARE TO THE MEMORY OF THE CITY”

Speaking at the award ceremony, Mayor M. Ergün Turan said: “While the city clings onto the past with one hand, it must reach out for new designs and build its future with the other hand. The space we call the square should be perceptible. I truly believe that when this square is built, it will be one of the most enjoyable squares in Istanbul. Me and my teammates will make an effort to add Topkapı Kaleiçi Square into the city memory as a new city square and a socio-cultural space.”

Stating that the competition was very important for them Architect Batu Kepekçioğlu, the winner, said: “I think that we have been able to live up to the significance of such a space in the historical peninsula, but when one sees that garage in such a place, one can't help but feel sad. I hope our project will be implemented.”