Student Emely Maas’ 2012 Urban Design Project

What:
Istanbul Revealed: Urban Intervention and Modification in the Historical City

When:
Now through November 27

Where:
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Alumni Library

Information:
Professor Weldon Pries of the College of Architecture created The Istanbul Studio, which addresses the role of cultural influences and architecture in the evolution of the city and its form and urban design. The focus of the studio is the future formation of the city in relationship to its history, urban spaces, and the water’s edge. An exhibit related to the project is currently on display at the Alumni Library.

Istanbul expresses historic and present-day cultural influences in its layering and form, and embraces the diversity of its people, cultures, and civilizations. The majestic skyline of domes and minarets of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Suleymaniye form the backdrop for the city on the water. Within the Historic Peninsula are the communities where ethnic groups of Muslims, Jews, Armenians, Greeks, and recent immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East have settled.

 The project phases include research and documentation of urban design with focus on the methodology of analysis for cities, followed by urban design proposals of “urban modification” in the historic city. The intention of the studio is to contribute to the understanding of a significant “world city” in an important geopolitical region, and of urban design in cities globally.

The Istanbul Studio class travels to Istanbul in September to experience its culture, survey its architecture, and document the studio project sites.  In addition, Wentworth students participate in seminars and design workshops with students and professors at Istanbul Technical University and Mimar Sinan University.  A trip by ship to Bursa, Turkey, the historical Ottoman city in Asia is included in the travel itinerary.

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