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GEZI PARK
Taksim Gezi ParkFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Taksim Gezi ParkTaksim Gezi Park (March 2013)TypeUrban parkLocationIstanbul, TurkeyCoordinates41°02′18″N 28°59′13″ECoordinates: 41°02′18″N 28°59′13″ECreated1943Operated byIstanbul Metropolitan MunicipalityStatusOpen all year Taksim Gezi Park is an urban park next to Taksim Square, in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district also known as Pera.[1] It is one of the last green spaces in Beyoğlu and one of the smallest parks of Istanbul. In May 2013, plans to replace the park with a reconstruction of the former Taksim Military Barracks (demolished 1940) intended to house a shopping mall sparked the nationwide 2013 protests in Turkey.[2]Contents  [hide] 1 History2 2013 protests against redeveloping the site3 See also4 Gallery5 References6 External linksHistory[edit]The Taksim Gezi Park is located at a former place of a large square-shaped military barracks complex with an extensive open, drill-ground, which was constructed in 1806[3] near the "Frank and Armenian burial grounds",[4][5] or the former Grand Champs des Morts.[6][7]Armenian tombstones from the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery discovered during excavations at Gezi ParkFrom 1560 to 1930 the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery was located on parts of the areal of today's Gezi Park. After the Armenian Genocide, the cemetery was confiscated and subsequently demolished in 1930 and its marble tombstones were sold in 1939 or were used in the park's construction.[8][9][10]During excavations conducted for the renovation of Taksim Square, 16 tombstones from the cemetery were discovered.[11]Known in the 19th century as the Grand Artillery Barracks at Pera, the Halil Pasha Artillery Barracks complex (Turkish: Halil Paşa Topçu Kışlası) was built in 1806. The facade of a barracks was designed in the Moorish style of late Turkish architecture.[12] The barracks suffered considerable damage during the 31 March Incident in 1909.[13]In 1936, the French architect and city planner Henri Prost (1874–1959) was invited to Turkey by President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He was tasked with the preparation of Istanbul's rough-cut urban planning and rebuilding, which lasted until 1951. In accordance with Prost's plans for Taksim Square, which he completed in 1939, the barracks buildings were demolished in 1940 by the city governor and mayorLütfi Kırdar (in office 1938–1949).[13] Prost described the place before demolition as following:The area included the old remains of an old cemetery, several jerry-built garage buildings, a barracks in ruins, and a number of shops and cafes around the square where the monument was located.[3]It should be noted, that in 1921 the internal courtyard of the barracks was rearranged and used as the Taksim Stadium. Turkey national football team played their first ever official international match in this stadium against the Romanian team on October 26, 1923 that ended up with a 2–2 draw.[13] The soccer matches were discontinued on the 25th of March 1940.[3]Prost's master city plan, which came into force in 1939, provided for a much larger than Taksim Gezi Park continuous green space, which he called Park No. 2, covering an area of 30 ha (74 acres) between the neighborhoods of Taksim, Nişantaşıand Maçka extending to Bosphorus including the Dolmabahçe Valley.[3] The larger park was intended to offer green space for recreation to Istanbul's residents and tourists, but it has never been completely realized.[13]The construction of the Taksim Gezi Park was completed in 1943, and it was opened under the name "İnönü Esplanade"[3] in honor of the second Turkish president İsmet İnönü (in office 1938–1950) by Lütfi Kırdar personally. The covering area of the park diminished in later years with the construction of big hotels in the outlying zone. Nevertheless, the park remained an important recreational area within the downtown of the city, and its appearance changed to the better after restoration.[13]2013 protests against redeveloping the site[edit]Main article: 2013 protests in TurkeyFrom 28 May 2013 protests raised against the plans of replacing Taksim Gezi Park with a shopping mall and possible residence.[14] The protests developed into riots when a group occupying the park was attacked by police with no mercy. The subjects of the protests have since broadened beyond the development of Taksim Gezi Park, covering issues such as freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, as well as more broadly defending the secularism of Turkey.[15] The protests also spread to other cities in Turkey, and protests were seen in other countries with significant Turkish communities.[16][17]In 31 May 2013, police suppressed the protesters with tear gas, pressurized water, rubber bullet and real bullet arrested at least hundreds of people and injured thousands.[16][17] The police action received wide attention online.[18][19] Protesters organized and gathered on İstiklal Avenue, reaching thousands on the night of 31 May.[16][20] [21]A court secretly ruled against the disputed development at the height of the protests, mysteriously only releasing the decision weeks later after they had subsided. [22]By 10 June 2013, a total of five people have lost their lives in the protests: Ethem Sarisuluk (Ankara), Mehmet Ayvalitas (Istanbul), Ali Ismail Korkmaz (Eskisehir), Abdullah Comert (Hatay) and Police Officer Mustafa Sari ( Adana).