In Spring 2019, Global Designing Cities Initiative partnered with Maltepe Municipality and the Istanbul-based design office Superpool through the Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Urban95 program to explore how public space in densely populated neighborhoods could better serve young children and families. The project began with a data-driven selection of priority areas using equity indicators, which identified Zümrütevler—home to 82,650 residents—as a key site for intervention. Despite having a significant percentage of young residents (8% aged 0–4 and 22% aged 5–19 as of 2019), the neighborhood lacked basic amenities such as parks and playgrounds.

A bustling intersection along a main school route emerged as a focal point for transformation. Surrounded by transit stops and local businesses, this intersection experienced heavy daily foot traffic, yet was predominantly vehicle-dominated. The limited pedestrian infrastructure and unsafe conditions for children and caregivers highlighted a compelling opportunity to demonstrate how thoughtful street design could create safer, more welcoming public spaces for all.

I led the interim transformation as a Senior Program Manager at NACTO. I continued to support the project in my role as the Knowledge for Policy Director at the Bernard van Leer Foundation.