Edirne Square

Urban Context and Accessibility

Located in the Thrace Region within the province of Edirne, the project site sits at the intersection of diverse natural and urban dynamics. Its proximity to main transportation routes ensures high accessibility, while highway connections enhance interaction with surrounding settlements. These connections have been considered as guiding parameters for the design process, influencing circulation strategies and spatial organization.

Existing Urban Challenges

The area’s current issues include underutilized storage and idle lands along Kovacılar Street, the absence of a pedestrian oriented circulation network, the lack of a defining square to complement the Saraçlar Street renovation, and insufficient active green and recreational spaces along the riverbank. Furthermore, the newly constructed viaduct carrying the high speed rail line physically divides the city center from the riverfront and market area. The irregular urban fabric has diminished the visibility of historical elements, while the scarcity of parking facilities near the market area limits its capacity. Green areas within the city remain fragmented and disconnected, and abandoned uses create spatial barriers that reduce the area’s functional potential.

Circulation and Access Strategies

Vehicle traffic passing through the project site toward Saraçlar Street is transformed into pedestrian priority, functioning as an extension of the ongoing Saraçlar Street Renovation Project. Vehicular movement is redirected along the northern perimeter of the market area, forming a ring road aligned with the temporary rail route. This approach enhances pedestrian safety, strengthens urban continuity, and reduces vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.

Functional Organization

The design is structured around four main functional axes:
• A civic square uniting the heavy pedestrian flow from Saraçlar Street
• An east-west green corridor forming a continuous urban park connecting to Darül Hadis Mosque
• Commercial and recreational spaces integrated under the viaduct
• Riverside recreational areas extending the viaduct programs toward the waterfront

Green Continuity and Permeable Urban Fabric

The urban park is envisioned as a living green spine, offering seating, sports areas, playgrounds, and cultural nodes, increasing the interaction between the built environment and nature. Designed pedestrian and bicycle paths ensure seamless connectivity between all program elements, enabling activities such as leisure, sports, shopping, dining, cultural events, and direct contact with the river.

Architectural and Façade Design Approach

The project draws inspiration from the historical facades of Saraçlar Street, characterized by stone craftsmanship, wooden ornamentation, arched passages, and rhythmic façade patterns. These references are reinterpreted in a contemporary language, with emphasis on local materials, proportion control, and a harmonious balance between vertical and horizontal elements. This approach ensures the project’s cultural resonance and contextual depth, merging modern functions with the historic urban identity of Edirne.