Street of hope

Through a 16-week collaborative effort by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), and local residents, 944 Street in Basmane was redesigned in line with children’s dreams. Brought to life with play areas, sports sections and resting spots, the street also strengthened social bonds in the neighborhood.

A dead-end street that had remained idle for years in Basmane, one of Izmir’s historic districts, has been brought back to life through children’s dreams. As part of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s “Play Streets Project,” 944 Street was completely renewed following a 16-week effort carried out together with IUE students, local residents and children. Redesigned with play areas, sports sections, colorful ground applications, seating areas and landscaping, the street was opened with a ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by Hakan Uzun, Deputy Secretary General of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality; Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu, President of the Izmir Planning Agency (IZPA); Hasibe Velibeyolu, Head of the Department of Urban History, Promotion and Tourism; Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design; Rector’s Advisor Filiz Başkan; academics, students, local residents and representatives of Habaş, which provided paint support for the project.

“It Leaves a Mark on Children’s World”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hakan Uzun, Deputy Secretary General of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, emphasized that cities are not merely made up of roads and buildings. Stating that a city should be considered as a whole, Uzun said, “A city is a multi-layered structure. It is not made up only of infrastructure and superstructure. This may seem like a small touch for adults, but it leaves a very significant mark on children’s world.”

“We Have Carried Out Dozens of Projects”

Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, stated that the university has been carrying out social responsibility projects for many years. “As a faculty, we have been implementing social responsibility projects for a very long time. In 2019, we launched the Collective Movement course. Since then, we have carried out numerous projects. Dobidop, Kadifekale and this project are among them. We want to take part in many more projects that contribute to urban life. We thank everyone who contributed,” she said.

“Children Dreamed It, the Team Made It Come True”

Dilara Yöndem Kayan, Branch Manager of Historical Buildings at Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Urban History, Promotion and Tourism, said the project emerged from the children’s requests. “As part of the Play Streets Project, students from Izmir University of Economics worked in the neighborhood for 16 weeks. The children told us about their dreams. They explained what the goalposts should be like and which colors they wanted. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we undertook the construction phase at the final stage. Over the last 10 days, we carried out asphalt paving, cleaning, railing installation, painting works and landscaping. The children dreamed it, and we made it happen. With every brushstroke, we saw the happiness on the children’s faces. Local residents supported us by bringing food and drinks. Being able to touch children’s world is priceless for us,” she said.

“These Streets Will Become a Center of Attention”

Speaking on behalf of Habaş, which provided paint support for the project, Tuna Beydoğan said, “I grew up and was raised here since my childhood. This is a historic and touristic area. I believe that streets brought to life with color through such projects will become centers of attention. I am very proud to be part of such a social responsibility project.”

“I Can’t Wait to Run to My Neighborhood”

Ten-year-old Cemre Yedikardeş, who lives in the neighborhood, said she now wants to spend more time on the renewed street. “We have so much fun and play games. I liked the hopscotch area the most. This place used to be in bad condition. Now it is very beautiful. After coming home from school, I can’t wait to play in my neighborhood,” she said.

“First We Played, Then We Designed”

Interior Architecture student Fevzi Arda Duru said that the time spent with the children shaped the project. “We talked with the children and listened to their needs. We aimed to create a space where they could rest, have fun and spend time together. By playing games with the children, we both got to know them better and formed a very strong bond. When I first came to this street, I saw the children playing football. We played matches together and organized a tournament. This helped us understand what the children needed most. That is why we also included a football field in the design,” he said.

“They Waited for Wednesdays”

Lorin Tellioğlu, one of the students involved in the project, said the relationship they built with local residents throughout the process deeply affected them. “When we first came here, frankly, we felt a little hesitant. Nobody knew us. But over time, we became friends with the children and met their families. Every week, the children would ask, ‘Sister, when will you come again?’ They hugged us every time we came. By the end of the process, we had truly become a family. Women also need spaces where they can breathe. We touched not only the children but also their mothers throughout this process,” she said.

“This Project Showed Unity”

Local resident Mükrüme Öncü said the project strengthened the sense of unity in the neighborhood. “Our young people put in a great deal of effort. Our children had so much fun whenever they came. Every Wednesday felt like a celebration. This work showed how united our neighborhood is. It felt just like the old days,” she said. Ecrin Şengel, one of the children in the neighborhood, said, “We played games with our friends here, danced and played volleyball. We had a wonderful time.”

Children Asked, the Street Was Redesigned

Under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Didem Kan, students from Izmir University of Economics worked in the neighborhood every Wednesday for 16 weeks. Students from the departments of interior architecture, architecture, industrial design, visual communication design and fashion design played games with the children, talked with families and identified needs on site. The play routes, sports areas, ground paintings and resting areas determined by the children were transformed into a project. Seating and socializing areas were also created for parents.

A Model to Set an Example

The project, implemented in cooperation with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Izmir University of Economics, stands out not only as an environmental design project but also as a social transformation model that revives neighborhood culture. By creating public spaces that can be used together by children, women, elderly people and individuals with special needs, the project offers a new model of living that can serve as an example for similar neighborhoods across Türkiye. The dead-end street that once stood idle now echoes with children’s voices. This transformation in Basmane tells the story not merely of the change of a small street, but of a neighborhood reconnecting with itself and children’s dreams coming true.