Portrait of a Historical Landscape: Do(not) Touch the Golden Horn!
Istanbul is Yours – The Golden Horn Coasts Design Contest: First Prize (5th Zone)

Golden Horn has been a strategically and culturally significant area of Istanbul, serving various functions throughout history. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was the city's main port, while in the Ottoman era, it evolved with shipyards and monumental structures. In the Republican period, industrialization, informal housing, and environmental pollution negatively impacted its landscape. Urban transformation projects initiated in the 2000s accelerated efforts to preserve and repurpose Golden Horn’s historical fabric. The project emphasizes maintaining spatial diversity by integrating urban green systems along the coastline as a unifying element. Key planning principles include preserving historical heritage, integrating old and new structures, developing pedestrian and bicycle paths, and utilizing portable architectural modules with minimal intervention. The ultimate goal is to sustain Golden Horn's multicultural identity through a unique transformation that bridges the past and the future.