An example to renovation–revitalization works in historical city centres: Kunduracılar Street/Trabzon-Turkey

Abstract

Trabzon lies in the northeast of Turkey and its past goes as back as to the antique age. It is a multicultural city which hosted many civilizations throughout its history. Kunduracılar Street is in the centre of the city of Trabzon and is a historical and important commercial axis and pedestrian-shopping centre. The buildings in this street contain a variety of building types which reflect the identity of the city. In a sense, these buildings are a mirror reflecting the multicultural structure that the city has had throughout its history. However, the cultural–historical entirety of this street has been under the effect of urban sprawl and visual pollution in recent years. By the time, the street loses its characteristics. This study is an attempt to solve such problems and aims at protecting the street through renovation–revitalization works, and to bring it back to the city and to the people of the city by improving the present conditions. This study is the first example of its kind in the region with its area along work of 1 km and with the wide participant model that it proposed. A renovation–revitalization work was carried out in the street under such titles as building façades, street ground, lighting, city furniture, green, etc., and the street was put in the use of the city and its people by improving its qualities. This study also planned and realized a new process for the city of Trabzon (a process of participation, sharing, and conscioussness).