An analysis of the spatial qualities of the waterfronts: conceptual proposal projects for Istanbul Sarayburnu

Purpose This paper's main objective emphasizes the importance of waterfront design in coastal cities. It reveals that a location is associated with the activities it hosts to become attractive for people or, in other words, to be a destination. In this respect, it proposes students' concept projects for the selected waterfront field study in Istanbul. Design/methodology/approach This study's conceptual framework is designed according to the qualities compiled from the place-diagram and the power of 10+ (plus) concepts of the PPS (project for public spaces). Accordingly, a fieldwork study based on the qualitative and quantitative research method was conducted as fieldwork in the Istanbul Sarayburnu waterfront, where historical and touristic sight-seeings of the Golden Horn meet with the Bosphorus coastal line. In addition to photo-video recordings, survey questions were also prepared during the field study. Findings Survey questions inquiries multi questions searching for the place-diagram qualities provide suggestions of 90 people who responded in situ . Results of the case study highlight six alternative proposal projects for the fieldwork prepared based on the power of 10+ concept by the third grade students of the School of Architecture of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU). Based on the survey questions and literature review findings, 10 sub-spatial qualities of waterfronts were disaggregated at the end of the study. Research limitations/implications The power of 10+ concept in the study provides a gauge for architects and urban planners; it gives them an excellent tool for assessing the quality of public spaces for placemaking in waterfronts. Originality/value Previous studies have generally been based on the PPS's place-diagram qualities with little mention of the interaction with the power of 10+ concept in placemaking. The proposed sub-qualities in the paper's conclusion contribute to architects and urban planners considering a model approach derived from those PPS concepts.