The Trade Node

Throughout its history, Izmir has been an important center in land and sea trade thanks to its geographical location. Having the Caravan Trade Route has made Izmir a port city opening to world trade. Kemeraltı Çarşısı was built around this historical port and became an important trade center and social area for the city. However, with the increase in population and the city growth, commercial sectors moved to the Gıda Çarşısı and with this mobility, infrastructure problems emerged over time.

The 'Trade Node' project aims to solve the current problems of the region and shape its future with innovations by bringing together the tradition of the Gıda Çarşısı and modern trade. In line with this solution, the Yenişehir Trade Center project aims to support regional sustainability by covering the areas around the Gıda Çarşısı and handling trade with circular economy principles.

Within the scope of the project, wholesale, retail trade and innovation zones were created and areas suitable for different sectors were determined. In addition, the regions İzdönüşüm, İzüretim ve İztasarım are designed as recycling and training centers. A sustainable and innovative resource use approach has been adopted in these regions with industrial symbiosis practices.

Mostly wholesale trade is seen in Yenişehir Trade Center. This project aims to solve the existing transportation and storage problems by gathering these trade units in the northeastern part of the region and using the existing rail system. A logistics stop was envisaged for a more ecological transportation system, and additional storage areas serving the trade units were provided at this point. Considering the functioning of existing commercial buildings, trade-enhancing solutions have been planned specifically for the protection and renewal of existing buildings.

Retail units were positioned to the north of the existing hospital in order to make the existing retail trade in the region more active. These units were redesigned by taking the traditional ‘Çarşı’ model as an example, and the aim was to preserve and renew the existing buildings in this process.
The place where the Gıda Çarşısı was first established was transformed into a İZDönüşüm, and centers focused on waste management and education were created. The innovation zone is basically a system within the project that works to improve trade in the region. This system aims to maintain employment, trade and circularity by focusing on technological innovations.

The project also envisages new green axes and recreation areas that will preserve existing green areas and increase activity for employees and new users. The Trade Node will be an important step for the future of the region by redesigning the trade and economic dynamics of Izmir in accordance with modern needs.

Urban Design Project Area: 1487408 m²

Designers:
Ahmet Can OFLOZER
Cemre BAŞARAN
Derya Nagihan ARSLAN
Ebubekir KABA
İnayet Helin DOĞAN
Meltem APLAR
Mert AYDEMİR
Şule GÖKHAN

Supervisors:
İpek Akpınar AKSUGÜR, Prof. Dr.
Koray VELİBEYOĞLU, Prof. Dr.
Can GÜNDÜZ, Dr.
Esin Özdemir ULUTAŞ, Dr.
Nicel SAYGIN, Dr.

The Trade Node by Ahmet Can Oflozer in Turkey won the WA Award Cycle 45. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.