Exploring Daily Tour Routes in Historical Peninsula by Using Generative Design

Abstract

In this study, with the help of a generative design, daily routes were created and optimized in light of certain objectives within the scope of the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul, especially in areas containing monumental structures and defined as world heritage sites. The current cultural-historical tours in the historical peninsula mainly focus on the main points such as Sultanahmet Square and its surroundings, Topkapı Palace and its surroundings, and the Grand Bazaar. However, within the scope of the peninsula, approximately 12,000 registered buildings (Istanbul Historic Peninsula Management Plan, 2018) are located on the Marmara Walls on the seven hills line, Land Walls, Golden Horn shores, and in each sub-region within its own urban texture. In this context, it is aimed to reveal the different route potentials within the protected areas that should be seen in the peninsula as a whole. In the study, road widths and topographical data which are two of the important parameters that constitute the original texture, and the areas that need to be seen at distances that can be visited daily were taken into consideration. In the whole historical peninsula, 9 different sightseeing routes were determined, the starting point of these routes and one mandatory stop for each route were defined, and the routes were optimized with single-objective optimization for walkability and exploration of the historical texture as much as possible. With this method, a decision support tool is provided for decision-makers such as city planners, tour guides, and travelers themselves.