Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Initiates “Street Rehabilitation Project” in Historical Tenekeciler Street
Ankara, May 4 – The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) has launched a comprehensive “Street Rehabilitation Project” in Tenekeciler Street, a symbolic location in Ulus also known as the Stove Makers’ Bazaar. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the street while preserving its unique historical texture, a significant center of craft culture spanning from the Ottoman to the Republican periods.
Project Scope and Objectives
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Municipality, the project will encompass a total of 28 structures on the street, including six registered historical buildings. The work will involve a holistic approach to restore the facades of these buildings. Plastering and painting will be carried out, and worn-out or non-original window frames will be replaced with new ones that conform to the historical character of the buildings.
Hüner Yonga, Application Chief of the ABB Urban History, Promotion, and Tourism Department, provided details on the project. “The project aims to improve Tenekeciler Street while preserving its original character,” Yonga stated. “Within the scope of the project, 28 structures, including 6 registered ones, have been handled with a holistic approach. The signs and advertising elements on the facades will also be rearranged within a certain standard. This arrangement will prevent visual pollution, ensure street integrity, and increase the touristic appeal of the region.”
Enhancing Aesthetics and Durability
Beyond facade renovations, the project will also focus on improving the overall aesthetic and structural integrity of the street. Display windows and shopfronts will be redesigned to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, roof renovation works will be undertaken to enhance the physical durability of the structures, ensuring their longevity and resilience.
A crucial aspect of the project involves standardizing signage and advertising elements along the street. Currently, these elements contribute to visual clutter. By implementing uniform standards, the project aims to create a more cohesive and visually appealing streetscape, further enhancing the area’s charm and historical ambiance.
Positive Reception from Local Businesses
Local shopkeepers in the Stove Makers’ Bazaar have expressed their enthusiasm for the project. Erdal İlgi, a baker and pastry shop owner who has been operating in the area for nearly 50 years, believes the project will be a significant gain for both merchants and visitors. “I came to help my father for three days, and it’s been 50 years,” İlgi remarked. “With these works, a noticeable change has begun in Ulus. People have started coming more for shopping. Ulus is also preferred because its prices are more affordable compared to other districts.”
Halil Bülent Demirdöven, another shopkeeper whose family business has been serving the community for three generations, emphasized the importance of the area’s revitalization. “Our shop is approximately 100 years old. It is very important for all of us that these places are more organized, accessible, and safe. We want an Ulus where people can come and visit comfortably. With the investments to be made, this place will be a much more beautiful place,” Demirdöven stated.
The “Street Rehabilitation Project” is expected to not only restore the architectural grandeur of Tenekeciler Street but also to boost local commerce and tourism, solidifying Ulus’s position as a vibrant historical and cultural hub in Ankara.
