In scope of the collaboration settled between the Eastern Mediterranean University, Architecture Faculty and Nicosia Turkish Municipality and within the framework of ITAS 201 course (Interior Architecture Design Studio I), a project has been assigned to the students during the 2018-2019 Academic Year Spring Semester under the title “Mobile Sales Unit and Space Design”. The said project has been assigned withing the themes of Urban Spaces, Urban Identity and Culture.
The outcomes of the project carried out the coordination of EMU Architecture Faculty Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Banu Tevfikler Çavuşoğlu and Interior Architecture Department academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zehra Öngül and with the support of Research Assistant Nesil Afşin were evaluated at EMU Architecture Faculty Studios by officials from EMU Architecture Faculty and Nicosia Turkish Municipality.
The selected design which will be produced and placed in the Walled City of Nicosia after the evaluations of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality will be first introduced at the EMU Campus during the 9th EMU International Design Week which will take place between 8 and 10 May 2019.
EMU Architecture Faculty Vice Dean and Project Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Banu Tevfikler Çavuşoğlu stated that many different cultures are part of the city life in terms of urban and urban identity and as an extension of the food and beverage sector, mobile sales units are important elements of the old streets and cultural heritage with their dynamic character.
Highlighting the fact that in the narrow streets of the historical cities of Cyprus, the sales of goods took place through this way, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu put forth that due to the changing conditions of life, the existing diversity in the market and easy access contributed to the diminising of these habits.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu added that through these types of means, people come together for shopping purposes and socialise at the same time. Hence, redesign of these tools in accordance with the current day’s conditions will not only contribute to the maintenance of the diminishing social values and relations (neighboring, locality and urbanisation) but would also be important in terms of the sustainability of the food and beverage focused functions.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu also added that the Walled city of Nicosia carries special importance in terms of its unique identity and rich history. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu, put forth that in scope of the design concept for every moment of life, students of EMU Interior Architecture Department will carry out important projects and put them into life in the streets of the city through the support of Nicosia Turkish Municipality.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu concluded her statement by stating that collaborations as such will contribute to the formation of the contemporary urban life, one of the biggest needs of our society. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çavuşoğlu also expressed her belief that Mayor of Nicosia Mehmet Harmancı, who has collaborations with other institutions as part of his vision, will contribute to the realisation of successful projects contributing to the multicultural identity of the city of Nicosia.
