In the heart of Turkey, the historic district of Odunpazarı in Eskisehir is more than just a collection of ancient streets and buildings. It’s a living laboratory for understanding how people navigate urban spaces, and a recent study by Elif Celik from Yildiz Technical University is shedding new light on the intricate dance between our brains and the built environment.
Celik’s research, published in the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, delves into the wayfinding behaviors of both locals and visitors in Odunpazarı’s winding, historic landscape. The findings could have significant implications for urban planners, architects, and even the energy sector, as cities worldwide grapple with how to make their spaces more navigable and sustainable.
At the core of Celik’s study is the interplay between spatial configuration—the physical layout of the city—and familiarity. Using a mix of spatial analysis and behavioral assessments, Celik and her team found that locals and visitors navigate Odunpazarı in strikingly different ways. “Locals have this complex web of knowledge about the city,” Celik explains. “They use shortcuts and hidden paths that visitors wouldn’t even know exist.”
Visitors, on the other hand, rely heavily on prominent landmarks and social spaces to orient themselves. Both groups, however, share a common reliance on landmarks, with visibility and spatial complexity playing crucial roles in navigation efficiency.
So, what does this mean for the future of urban design and the energy sector? As cities become smarter and more interconnected, understanding wayfinding behaviors could help optimize energy use. For instance, if urban planners can design streets and public spaces that encourage more efficient navigation, they could reduce the energy expended on lighting, signage, and even heating and cooling buildings along popular routes.
Moreover, as historic districts like Odunpazarı increasingly become tourist hotspots, there’s a growing need to balance preservation with accessibility. Celik’s research suggests that urban planners should consider the needs of both locals and visitors when designing wayfinding strategies. This could involve creating clear, visible landmarks and signage for visitors, while also preserving the intricate, hidden paths that locals cherish.
“Ultimately, we want to create urban landscapes that are inclusive and sustainable,” Celik says. “By understanding how people navigate these spaces, we can design cities that are not only beautiful and historic but also functional and energy-efficient.”
As cities continue to evolve, so too will our understanding of how we move through them. Celik’s research is a significant step forward in this ongoing exploration, offering valuable insights that could shape the future of urban planning and energy use in historic landscapes.