Location
Located on the European side of Istanbul, Basaksehir district has a very modern and sophisticated infrastructure that attracts local and foreign investors from all parts of the world. It is one of the most vital areas on the European side of Istanbul, which consists of 39 (municipal) districts, spread between the European and Asian continents on both sides of the city.
The municipality of Basaksehir was established in 2008 after it was separated from the municipality of Kuchukchekmech, it is bordered by Arnavutkoy from the north, Eyub from the north-east, Sultan Ghazi and Esenlar from the east, Baghchilar, Kuchukchekmech and Avchilar from the south, and Esenyurt from the south-west.
Tourism
Basaksehir is surrounded from the northern region by wide green forests, consists of cypress trees, pine trees and evergreen trees throughout the year, as a river passes through the area, there is also a dam along the river, which flows into Kuchukchekmech Lake, creates beautiful natural areas throughout the district, besides a large artificial lake.
Basaksehir is the most developed area in Istanbul in terms of its modern infrastructure. It has many natural and artificial facilities and has one of the largest and most diverse natural valleys in the Sazledar region. It also contains an ancient natural park, preserving biodiversity and the historic heritage of the area. The district also includes another valley called water valley, located in the fifth neighborhood of Basaksehir. It covers an area of 45 thousand and 723 square meters. It includes 26,000 square meters of pedestrian roads. There are also a number of vital facilities, such as shopping malls, sports clubs, restaurants, cafes and many other facilities.
The 26,000 m2 famous Basaksehir Lake is Istanbul’s largest artificial lake, is located in the Bahcesehir district which is related to Basaksehir. Surrounded by 300,000 m2 of landscaped gardens, adjacent to restaurants, playgrounds, Private clubs, and cafes… The district also has the second largest Square for shows in Istanbul and is used for many different events throughout the year. Theatrical performances, concerts, festivals and Ramadan celebrations are the highlights.
Basaksehir has a protected forest in the Shamlar region, and this forest contains a great diversity of wild animals such as fox, eagle, and many other wild animals. In addition to large green spaces designed for hiking, it was allocated by the municipality of Basaksehir to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, this forest extends over an area of approximately 50 square kilometers.
Education and Health
A public university is soon to be opened in Basaksehir. Several private universities in the district are also opening, including Ibn Khaldun University, which teaches a number of courses in Arabic. There are also a number of Arab and international schools, private schools, and government schools, covering all other stages of education, from kindergarten and to high school.
On the health level, there is a large public hospital in Basaksehir, along with 23 medical centers from state-run clinics; and a large number of private hospitals; the government has recently embarked on the establishment of an integrated health city in Basaksehir, the largest of its kind on the European continent. Eight specialized hospitals, with a capacity of 2,000 and 682 beds, equipped with the latest medical technology, are being built to make the new hospitals among the largest hospitals in the country. These hospitals will be divided in terms of specialization to Children’s Hospital, General Hospital, Obstetrics, and Gynecology Hospital, Cancer Hospital, Neurosurgery and Arthritis Hospital, Cardiac Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital.
Infrastructure
On the municipal level, the Turkish government is constructing a 60,000 m2 large central square in Basaksehir and is expected to be the second largest square in Istanbul, doubling the size of the famous Taksim Square. A network of underground transport runs down the square, it reaches other European and Asian districts of Istanbul and facilitates transportation to and from the district. The square is surrounded by a number of vital facilities such as Europe’s largest botanical garden, covering 368,000 square meters, parking for thousands of cars, many restaurants and cafés, and a large mosque for 5,000 worshipers.
Basaksehir depends on a strong network of transport, such as public and private buses, and the metro line, and there is a connecting station that facilitates access to important areas in Istanbul, such as Ataturk International Airport and the Marmaray train linking the European and Asian continents. The state is working on a new tram line in Basaksehir, at a cost of 450 million Turkish liras.
Basaksehir is a rich social environment with many shopping complexes, theaters, cinemas, conference halls, and celebrations, as well as facilities for people with special needs. The stadium is the largest stadium in the Olympic region, the largest sports stadium in Turkey. The area is characterized by a young population structure, where the under-20s constitute 40% of the total population.