Theodosius Harbor Archaeological Site
Year2021
LocationIstanbul, Turkey
ClientIstanbul Metropolitan Municipality
StatusCompleted
TypologyUrban Design
TeamAli Önalp, Burak Yardımcı, Erhan Arslan, Güney Gültekin
Yenikapı is one of the busiest transportation hubs in Istanbul, accommodating metro, Marmaray, sea lines, and bus terminals altogether. Despite this potential, the area functions merely as a transit point and lacks the identity of an urban square.
Additionally, Yenikapı hosts a 6000-year-old historical heritage, revealed through the Neolithic, Byzantine, and Ottoman-era findings unearthed during the 2004 excavations.
The project aims to transform Yenikapı beyond a transportation center into an archaeological urban park that prioritizes public use and integrates historical layers. With this goal, the site has been reinterpreted in terms of both physical and cultural dimensions.
Yenikapı Square has been redefined through an east-west-oriented promenade; the removal of the parking lot allowed for stronger urban connections. With the addition of a new visitor center and pedestrian bridge, the square has become the starting point of the archaeological route.
To enhance the experience of the historical findings, the visitor route has been supported by excavation sites, temporary exhibition structures, and laboratory buildings.
The archaeological park, which spans a wide area, has been designed to reach important historical focal points such as the Istanbul city walls, Langa Gardens, and Yalı District. By linking the project with the coastal strip, it introduces two main pedestrian paths—historical and recreational—that connect users with both the city and the sea.
The project is planned to be implemented in four phases. In the first phase, the square, visitor center, and laboratory buildings are prioritized. In the following phases, the goals include revealing the city walls, revitalizing the Langa Gardens, and strengthening the coastal connections. Each stage is structured so as not to interrupt public use.
The Visitor Center is designed not only as an introductory building but also as a spatial interface that facilitates transition between different elevations and directions. Through this structure, visitors can both integrate into the transportation systems and experience the excavation sites, bearing witness to the city’s history.
Urban Furniture
System Section
