Skip to main content

Studio Dror’s Dramatic Plan to Give Istanbul More Green Space with “Parkorman”

Have you ever been to Istanbul? It’s a beautiful city, and as the gateway between Asia and Europe, it manages to blend east and west in such away that it becomes one of your most unforgettable destinations, filled with Byzantine marvels, like the Hagia Sophia and glorious ancient sites like Basilica Cistern. Unfortunately, while Istanbul is an amazing city, rampant urbanization has drastically shrunk the amount of per capita green space there. The green area ratio is only 6.4 square meters per person in Istanbul. To get an idea of where that stands, in Europe, the average green area ratio is around 20 square meters per person.

Dror, the New York-based design studio helmed by Dror Benshetrit, has proposed a solution to this issue in the form of Parkorman, a park located six miles north of the city center. According to the folks at Dror, “Our park starts with familiar urban forms and slowly transitions into surprising organic moments deeper inside the forest.” Visitors create their own story when entering Parkorman.

The park is divided into five different zones meant to evoke different feelings. The Plaza greets visitors at the entrance, transforming nature into a place to meet and gather. The Loop features a number of swings and hammocks to relax, spark joy and sway above the forest. The Pool consists of giant ball pits drawn from Turkish spice markets that just want you to dive in and have fun. The chords bring together a footpath that sends you to giant trampolines above the ground. There’s also The Grove, a winding, maze-like trail that has sculptures along the way, and a The Fountain of Charity, a cube-shaped water feature that shoots water from all sides.

Recommended Videos

So now, not only will Istanbul get more green space, it will get a park that brings out the true joys of nature, creating moments of “transition, clarity, imagination, playfulness, reflection and observation.”

Ann Binlot
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…
20 dreamy U.S. sunset spots travelers say you need to see
Where to catch the best sunsets in America
Puerto Escondido

New data collected from premium car rental company, SIXT, revealed 20 of the best spots across the U.S. to watch the sunset, ranking over 200 locations by popularity and environmental quality. The newly published research, which analyzed data based on search trends, social media data, and air quality metrics like pollution and visibility, found some top sunset locations that might surprise you. These top locations offer vivid views, from Virginia to Hawaii. These sunset destinations were also considered based on general search interest, independent of sunset-related terms.

Calcite Springs in Wyoming ranked #1 in the nation for sunsets, delivering a show of deep canyon blues, golden skies, and crystal-clear air. Coming in second place was another west-coast destination: Skagit Valley, Washington. Skagit Valley draws over 10,000 monthly Google searches and delivers stunning sunset views. From early July to late September, this top destination offers an untouched, peaceful feel to watch the sun go down. Two Hawaii destinations are ranked in third and fourth place: Kilauea Crater and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea Crater, located on the Big Island, offers a dramatic sunset view, delivering a hidden gem for travelers visiting between April and September.

Read more
Your suitcase is dirtier than a toilet seat — here’s the grossest spot
Your suitcase could be a germ bomb
Person sitting on stairs with a black rolling suitcase

If you’ve ever hesitated to put your suitcase on a hotel bed, you might have good reason to be cautious. A recent study by InsureandGo reveals that your trusty travel bag could be a hotspot for harmful bacteria. The filthiest spot? The wheels, which harbor nearly 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat.

To uncover just how filthy our luggage gets on the go, a microbiologist swabbed both hard- and soft-shell suitcases at a busy airport train station. They tested two key spots on each bag, the wheels and the base, to see how much grime we might be dragging into our hotel rooms and homes.

Read more
The world’s best food city isn’t Paris or NYC — it’s this Italian favorite
Rome was named the world’s best food city
Rome Italy

Move over, Paris and New York City, Rome just took the crown as the world’s top food destination, according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations. While Rome’s win may not be a huge surprise to food lovers, it’s notable that it beat out heavy hitters like Paris (which ranked fourth) and NYC (which came in 13th).

Rome offers a collage of bustling piazzas, amazing open-air markets, and incredible historic landmarks. And the city’s culinary scene is just as rich. According to the MICHELIN Guide 2025, Rome boasts no less than 18 starred restaurants.

Read more