[jballanc]

An interesting article, sure, but there's a small problem. The section of Istanbul that they've chosen (centered here: https://maps.google.com/?ll=41.044081,29.096603&spn=0.04...) is actually on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, and it's one of the newer neighborhoods. The streets are actually arranged like that because of the terrain, more than because of history.

That said, this is a case of being right for the wrong reason. Istanbul is an amazing city to walk through. It's like the worlds largest living maze, and you're never quite sure where you'll pop out.

For example, the first time I was there, we turned a corner down an alley to try and get to one of the main roads. The alley started out wide enough for us to walk three-abreast, but quickly narrowed. At some point I looked up and noticed that there was now a roof over our heads. Eventually the alley narrowed to where we had to turn sideways to squeeze past people coming in the opposite direction, and there were shop counters on either side. A few feet more, and we stepped out onto the main street we had been looking for. I turned around, but where I expected to see the alley was, instead, what looked like a regular store-front, identical to all those next to it on either side...

But you don't have to believe me. Yandex has great walking maps of Istanbul! Here's the location I was just describing: http://harita.yandex.com.tr/-/CVeLjW60

[robot]

I think there is more to it than the terrain and history. Turkish culture has an inclination towards irregularity. You have to constantly improvise or think, when making a decision, there are no well set out rules of living. This reflects to every part of life including the cities. The upside is that Turkish people are alert while walking on the street or any time of their life, which creates an active culture. The downsides are many, e.g. bad things happen in case of an accident or catastrophe.

[askar_yu]

Istanbul indeed is an amazing city to walk through, but I think it's more so for tourists who find it exotic. Having lived here for more than a year now I find the streets here quite frustrating - because of the irregularity, extreme density and especially because of the ascents/hills. I am talking purely from the perspective of getting from point A to B in a daily life. I commute to work by walking, takes only 15 minutes; but I go down and up a very steep ascent so I have to sweat twice a day :) Not to mention the cars which gets past quite fast just an inch away from me while I myself am just inch away from the edge of the road.

I still love this city with all its beauty and uniqueness. What I like most is that there are endless amount places to go, see a and discover. But when it comes city-structure, it's the roads that I miss most about US and Kazakhstan where there is a concept of a "sidewalk" and "road" (an actual, real road) - I think you know what I mean by this :)

[Jun8]

Came here to point this out, too. Would be interesting if they redo the analysis on the old part of town. Where was teh alley that you are referring to? Near the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)?

[jballanc]

No, just off of Istiklal Caddesi. Actually, Istiklal is interesting in that it is somewhat isolated, and almost every alley leading you to it (except for a few major ones) is a different adventure. Istiklal also has a number of "pasajlar" that are their own adventure (but sadly, don't appear in Yandex last I checked). Kapali Carsi has some more amazing routes, and just down from Istiklal is Cezayir Sokagi which, despite being called a "street", is more of a staircase but also has some of the best French restaurants in the city.

If you haven't been to Istanbul, you really must go!

Edit: Oh, and I imagine if they did this analysis with one of the really old parts of town, it would be even more extreme...the problem would be finding an accurate map!

[Retric]

Honestly, I found most interesting about that was the Hello Kitty Handbags. Just one of those, wow it's a smaller world than you might think.

[mey]

That is amazing, "Touristic Bazaar" indeed.