I hadn't spent so much time in Bruges, but Bruges was one of the most attractive and mystic city I've ever seen. Firstly, it is accessible for pedestrians and its narrow streets, canals, local architecture, green spaces, squares and cute cafes make this city most attractive for visitors. Secondly, it serves people from all age groups with its varied public space alternatives. It is in the UNESCO World Heritage list and when you reach the boundary of the historic city conservation zone, city welcomes you with its medieval gate. I think such kind of boundary makes strong impression on people to perceive the importance of the historical part of the city.
BRUGES STREETS
I visited the city while I was making a research about pedestrian friendly cities. So city transportation infrastructure and urban design took my attention at first. Although most historical cities are under the motorized traffic pressure, only some of them create qualified solutions to compete with this problem. Toledo and Bruges, which are the places I had been, are only two of these successful models.
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| Bruges' narrow streets |
When I started to stroll around in Bruges, I saw cars, bicycles and pedestrians together in the medieval streets, but I didn’t feel the negative pressures of cars in the city. Motorized traffic wasn’t as effective as pedestrian transportation, so streets are full of pedestrians. Pedestrian transport was the most preferable transportation mode and urban design supports such kind of transportation mode in the city.
TYPICAL HOUSES WITH TRIANGULAR ROOF
In the most of historical cities, such as Istanbul for example, it is too difficult not only protect city’s historical character but also save traditional building style in urban development process. And I saw in Bruges that it is not impossible. The importance given to its urban design to sustain its character was really successful.
In the most of historical cities, such as Istanbul for example, it is too difficult not only protect city’s historical character but also save traditional building style in urban development process. And I saw in Bruges that it is not impossible. The importance given to its urban design to sustain its character was really successful.
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| Historical buildings |
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| Traditional surface materials |
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| Triangular roofs |
Absolutely the spidery canals of the Bruges should be mentioned. The main identity the city gained is coming from its canals.
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| Bruges canals |
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| Canals |
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| Boat tour |
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| Canals |
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| Canals |
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