STREET DESIGN: THE SECRET TO GREAT CITIES AND TOWNS

MY EXPERTISE IS CITED IN THE SECOND EDITION

James Dougherty's fabulous and inclusive cover painting

I am gratified to be quoted as an advocate with expertise in Universal Design and mobility for people with disabilities in Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns, 2nd Edition.

I will share my insights, based on working on inclusion and better policy around the world, at a Universal Design summit this fall.

I am honored that my urban/architectural photography is featured in The Art of the New Urbanism Volume 2 published by Wiley.

The book is by James Dougherty, Charles C. Bohl & Victor Dover.

It features my Street Photography from Istanbul, Morocco and Cairo.

I am proud to collaborate with Victor Dover.

He has been a friend and mentor for more than two decades.

He has sought my guidance on matters of Universal Design and Wheelchair Access.

We both are featured in the disability positive film Mark -- A Call to Action:

https://youtu.be/M-TBzsOK5VY?si=knwhkRossJlW7xT-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAUDADES FEATURED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEVE WRIGHT

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BOOK LAUNCH 

AT BOOKS AND BOOKS THIS MONTH

Steve Wright is a visual and verbal storyteller.

His street photography is inspired by Ara Güler, the Eye of Istanbul. He learned from and edited a book about the great Turkish photographer.

Wright is a Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning writer and has published more than 5,000 professional articles.

His Save My Little Havana, a one-man show photo exhibit opened in August 2023 at the Art Deco Welcome Center in Miami Beach and ran through Thanksgiving.

Several photos by Steve are published in the book, and will exhibited at the Books & Books Gallery Space.

Steve and other artists were present at the Book Launch on October 4, when they signed books.

PROUD TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNIVERSAL DESIGN EDUCATION

MY WORK INCLUDES PUBLISHING, PRESENTING AND PILOTING A COLLEGE COURSE AT A MAJOR SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Recent and ongoing work includes:

1) Designing/teaching a course on it at a major School of Architecture -- with my wife, Americans with Disabilities Act expert Heidi Johnson-Wright.

2) Being selected to present on Universal Design at a major conference in Paris.

3) Getting chosen to share my research on wheelchair access and sidewalk infrastructure at a global meeting in Istanbul.

4) Publishing a story on sidewalks and access in Planning Magazine, the publication of the American Planning Association. 

5) Participating as a key speaker -- on Universal Design in Planning Education -- at the annual conference of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Beyoglu is a brief and magical ferry ride across the Golden Horn from the old city’s Eminonu docks to Karakoy.

The waterfront area follows the Golden Horn to its mouth off the Bosphorus.

Dozens of street vendors set up, serving tea, coffee, snacks…or playing solo or in a band – to earn the tips of locals and visitors.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Karakoy is a former docklands area that was far off the tourist path and somewhat sketchy.

Now it is lined with pricey hipster joints open late each night.

There are lots of nargile joints in this part of Beyoglu.

The food can range from modern gourmet burgers to old time Turkish street food such as kumpir.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

A durum is a Turkish wrap that is usually filled with typical doner kebab ingredients.

This place, open since 1969, specializes in chicken, lamb and adana.

The wrap is made from lavash or yufka flatbreads.

Durum is a common street food in Turkey, especially beloved late at night.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

While more than a few churches have been converted into mosques in Islamic Turkey, cathedrals, synagogues and churches – orthodox and modern, do remain.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

In 19th-century,  a traditional tram trundled along the Grande Rue de Pera connecting Taksim Square Glatasaray and Tunel Square.  

The tram was taken out of service in 1961, replaced by buses.

After Pera became Istiklal Caddesi, a pedestrian zone, the Nostalgic Tram was restored and revived in 1990.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

The Kılıç Ali Pasha Complex is located in the Tophane neighborhood in Beyoglu.

It consists of a mosque, medrese, hamam, turbe and fountain.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

The Kılıç Ali Pasha Complex is a mosque complex designed and built between 1580 and 1587.

It was designed by Mimar Sinan, who at the time was in his 90s.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Travel to any town in Turkey and you are sure to find a tea garden.

In the larger cities and touristic regions, tea houses welcome the young and old, as well as many foreigners.

Tea gardens gained popularity in the 1950s, especially in Istanbul, and were the place where families went for their social outings.

This garden in Beyoglu overlooks the Bosphorus.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Beyoglu includes a mix of stylish bohemian districts such as Çukurcuma and Cihangir, Galata and Karaköy. 

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Beyoglu comes alive in warmer weather with countless outdoor cafes.

The cuisine, culture, vibe and atmosphere rivals the best of Paris or New York.

And the fare costs but a third or half of what it would in those pricy cites.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

The backstreets of Beyoglu lend themselves to murals and other artsy activity.

Alleys often have bohemian coffee shops, clubs and little hole in the wall eating/drinking establishments.

Lower rents off the beaten path support all kinds of creative shops.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

  THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Dondurma typically includes cream, whipped cream, sugar and salep (ground up tuber of orchid) and mastic (plant resin).

Two qualities distinguish Turkish ice cream: hard texture and resistance to melting, brought on by thickening agents that make it chewy.

Dondurma is commonly sold from street vendor carts and store fronts.

The mixture is churned regularly with long-handled paddles to keep it workable.

Vendors often tease the customer by serving the ice cream cone on a stick, and then taking away the dondurma with the stick by rotating it around, before finally giving it to the customer.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

 THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Opened in 1876, Çiçek Pasajı is a covered arcade with rows of historic cafes, winehouses and restaurants.

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, many impoverished noble Russian women, including a Baroness, sold flowers in the arcade, giving the arcade it’s modern Turkish name of Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage).

After the restoration of the building in 1988, it was reopened as a galleria of pubs and restaurants.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

 THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

The main thoroughfare is Istiklal Caddesi running into the neighborhood from Taksim Square to Tunel.

It is a pedestrian-only mile of shops, cafés, patisseries, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

It also features bookshops, theatres, cinemas and art galleries.

Some of İstiklâl Avenue has a 19th-century metropolitan character.

It is lined with Art Nouveau and Neoclassical buildings.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

 THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

In 1348 the Genoese built Galata Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul.

Pera (Galata) remained under Genoese control until May 29, 1453, when it was conquered by the Ottomans, along with the rest of the city, in the Siege of Constantinople.

BEYOGLU, ISTANBUL

 THE EUROPEAN "NEW TOWN" ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN

Beyoğlu is the most active art, entertainment and nightlife center of Istanbul

OTTOMAN HOUSES

KALEICI DISTRICT EDIRNE, TURKEY

The Great Synagogue on Maarif Caddesi, which was built in 1906, has been restored and reopened to the public.