Narlidere is perhaps one of the few places in my hometown, Izmir that grew to be a suburb in American standards. However, american standards should not be misleading, the houses are not McMansions and most do not have gigantic lawns, though some have pools and other amenities. Most importantly, there is a grid system that is far better and efficient than cul-de-sacs but is in no way similar to traditional city grids. As seen in in the picture, the area is very green and has low-rise, luxurious residences with high walls and secure gates. However, the highway connecting the port and beach towns to the city crosses right through the heart of Narlider, creating two different yet similar worlds. Giant malls with giant parking lots occupy the other side of the highway. Transportation to either sides is provided with bridges and tunnels designed exclusively for cars, all of which are not suitable for pedestrians. Although the area is about eight miles to downtown, public transportation is limited to only buses and residents are dependent on cars.
Starting from a distant fishermen's village, Narlidere became a populous suburb which attracts people from every corner of town to its shopping malls and seaside attractions. The traditional texture of the neighborhood does not exist anymore due to dependence on cars and traffic congestions.
Can Amado
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