Historical Gülhane Park renovation works and user satisfaction

There are many historical sites at the centers of large cities with old past. Historical parks, that are one of these areas, are important from the point of fast accessibility and from the point of answering the recreational and green area of those who live in the center of the city. Additionally, these parks play an effective role in shaping the character of the city they are located at with the historical identity they have.The objective of this work is to analyze the renewal work in these historical parks that remain in the centers of large cities, with the aim of adaptation to today?s conditions and to emphasize the importance of the user satisfaction. In this context, Historical Gülhane Park located at Eminönü region, one of the most crowded center of the province of Istanbul is chosen as work area. Gülhane Park is evaluated within the green area concept, ?Gülhane Park New Organization Project? was analyzed, and as the result of the renewal work with the objective of determining the satisfaction of the users related to the tithe new condition of the park, a questionnaire work was conducted. The questionnaire was implemented with 256 people where the users inside the park were selected randomly and it was conducted one to one.All data obtained as the result and the renewal project under the light of the results of questionnaire, is evaluated from the point of user satisfaction.As targeted in the renewal work of Gülhane Park the conclusion reached was that it did not have the qualifications of a City Park, however since it was a park for walking that answered the needs of the users? for green area, and the historical identity of the park was protected. It was determined that the users met the renovation work of the park with contentment in general since the park got rid of its old and disorderly condition. However, users were not satisfied about the park?s inadequacy in variety of activities after the renovation work. This result reveals the importance of determining the users? requests well at the planning stage of the renovation work conducted.