Aside from enhancing the historical value of old buildings and streets of Istanbul, we propose to add a more futuristic Architecture and improved infrastructure for the city. This is intended to convey the same effect as was implemented by the Centre George Pompidou in the middle of historical Paris, or the addition of a glass hi-tech snake to the 19th century Victoria Station of London or the Science Museum placed in the middle of Hong Kong Harbour’s Kowloon side. If you cannot portray the new beside the old in an historical city, as a comparison, that city will become a prisoner of it’s own history. Planning a Science Museum together with the Ataturk Monument at Sarayburnu, right in front of Topkapi Palace, and in Karakoy, a business center with a high tech complex tucked between the historical buildings, will attract the members of the business community to have their lunch there, enjoying the sights of Topkapi Palace, the Science Museum or the passenger ships instead of having it in the sterile environment of let’s say... Maslak. The city has to create such centers for its residents, not only for tourists. Such centers will enhance the imagination and production capacities of its people. This is improved quality of life.
Many Ocean Liner passengers go back to their rooms in the evening and they can enjoy, next to their ships, a dockland with a good atmosphere, a safe and well lit neighborhood with restaurants, cafes, commerce, many activities and attractions.
Whatever the solution this corner of Istanbul should not lose it’s atmosphere but enhance it.
Integrate Istanbul into the 21st century, marrying today past history to future evolution. But Istanbul must remain the gate between Europe and Asia.
Any structure on the two coastlines should have enough transparency to let the city’s past, present and future breathe towards the sea and vice versa.
All passengers on sea should be able to see the historical buildings and monuments behind/through that transparency......
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