A comparative analysis of the impacts of pedestrianization projects on different user groups

This thesis aims to make a comparative analysis of the impacts of pedestrianization projects on different user groups in terms of planning and design, and asses their contribution to cities. Having provided the definitions of some of the relevant basic concepts, various aspects of pedestrian behaviors were examined. This was followed by the investigation of various forms of pedestrianization as an action of planning and design. Some well-known pedestrianization examples from the world and Istanbul were also provided.Pedestrianization projects in Marmara Street and Davutpasa Street, both of which differ with respect to project aims and implementation, were chosen as case studies from Istanbul. For each case study, in order to understand the impacts of pedestrianization on different user groups, a field survey (including user questionnaires) and a series of spatial analysis were employed. In the light of the research results, a critique of each project was provided and some policy implications were produced for better design and planning.Key words: Pedestrian, Pedestrianization, Car-free areas, Pedestrian Area Planning and Design.