Evaluation of the 1939 Zoning Regulations Proposal by Investigating Changes of the Bosphorus Coastal Road Between Beşiktaş and Bebek with Its Nearby Surroundings

Abstract

Due to events such as fire and earthquakes over the years, Istanbul's plan has been in a constant change and the organic plan of the traditional Ottoman city has been partly transformed into a grid system in the 19th century. The city's first post-Republic master plan was drawn in 1937 by Henri Prost, a French urbanist and architect invited by President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Prost who made suggestions for various parts of Istanbul, has proposed three staged road system for the Bosphorus. These are the coastal road on the Bosphorus, the roads on the hills between Taksim and Büyükdere and the roads on the slopes in the middle of these two roads. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the change of the Bosphorus coastal road and its nearby surroundings between Beşiktaş and Bebek, and the coastal districts located here (Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy, Bebek) through the maps and aerial photos dated to different periods. At the same time, whether the 1939 zoning regulation proposal, which is the starting point of this work, is implemented or not, will be compared with the current situation of the region. Mentioned drawing showing the arrangements offered on the coastal road between Beşiktaş and Bebek and its nearby surroundings, approved by Henri Prost in 1939. In this 1/2000 scale plan, road widening and new road opening suggestions were made by preserving historical buildings and the regions having been arranged as building blocks and green area are indicated. It was proposed to extend the coastal road towards the land side or to the sea side by piles and the recommendations were expressed in 1/200 scale sections. This detailed plan proposal was approved with the exception of the parts for Ortaköy and Beşiktaş, and it is partially implemented at the present time.