Abstract:

: Public open spaces are an integral facet of urban life and have social, physical, and symbolic dimensions. In particular, public spaces deemed to be focal points of historical cities have been adversely affected in recent years by globalization and societal transformations. Many public open spaces, including squares, avenues, and boulevards, no longer reflect the cultural identity of “place,” and have instead become faceless, generic spaces. This situation has given rise to the necessity of studies designed to improve the quality of public places in the urban environment. In this paper, usage problems associated with public open spaces in historical city centers are examined. “Public open space” and "urban interface/façade" concepts are defined and methodologically explored. In addition, the paper discusses problems observed by citizens, the characteristics of these problems, and how these problems impact the urban environment. The regulatory principles of the "Saraçlar Street Urban Design Project" in Edirne, Turkey, are presented as an example of public space planning for a historical city. The project aims to enhance the environmental quality of Saraçlar Street, which is commercially and socially the most important public space in Edirne, by transforming it into a pedestrian-only area. The study concludes with an assessment of Saraçlar Street’s problems prior to pedestrianization and its status and contributions to city life after pedestrianization.

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