In recent articles I was writing about the strategies in sustainable architecture and urbanism. Meanwhile I was on a short trip to Istanbul. As much as we all known facts that make Istanbul an incredibly beautiful place for tourist experience, there are always things that admires you from scratch. For cultural and historical monuments in the Old European part of the city is written pretty much and not randomly with its geopolitical importance Istanbul is compared with Rome. But I will compare it with New York, the greatest dock of all times.
I experienced the city through several layers. First, as a picturesque place with mixed cultures. Then, as a crowd of life changes, just like a swarm of bees. After, as a spacious space of built facilities which do not cease to be upgraded. And most of all like mega polis that offers opportunities.
Istanbul is a really great city. I felt like there live people from all world. So different characters, different habits and so carelessly exchanged glances. In Istanbul you feel safe and welcome. People accept you as your own, want to help and communicate easily.
At certain places you are easily mingle in the crowd, but never lost. The move between market with spices and large covered market is places that still live under medieval Oriental manners. There walking is required, there are street markets, there you meet people, there is place where people talk, drink tea or coffee. Close encounters are selfless. There the citizens of Istanbul most heartily accept tourists, there Istanbul embraces you. It is the Oriental Manhattan way. At the same way, but a little bit more European is at the opposite site from Taksim Square to Galata Tower. Huge crowd and vivid spirit of life goes on.
If as a tourist visit only the historic part of town, where it is easy to walk or use the tram, where at every corner skilled salesmen offer you something, you will think that Istanbul is typically close to the east spot with inert afternoon leisurely urban weaving.
But Istanbul is much more than the metropolis. It is spacious and densely populated city with a modern metro system, with ferries that are fast, frequent and timely, with and modern tramway system and numerous buses and taxi. In the city arrives also via rail, which is extended link inside the city traffic flow. Over the Bosporus there are magnificent bridges linking Europe to Asia, and under the bridges dense marine traffic from Sea of Marmara to Black Sea. Turkish engineers and planners obviously know the need for transport-oriented city development that will provide a sustainable future for the dynamic space of Istanbul.
On the other hand, it is a city that constantly builds and upgrades. Istanbul is a compact city, with its pattern and in its spirit. So many buildings, streets, overpasses, tunnels, bypasses, shopping centers, mosques, parks, markets ... Every neighborhood in the city has its own life, has everything needed and every part is Istanbul. Here is experiencing the coherence of urban living as anywhere in the world. Neighborhoods, houses, transit zones, street food, street libraries, iPad and metro, sun at the beginning, rain at the end.
My short experience and encounter with Istanbul tells me that it is a city that still exist option for everyone. The hosts are still generously hospitable, hardworking and unfettered by prejudice. You feel safe and welcome. Istanbul is a city that develops and every good idea can plant the seed of the fruit to develop.
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