Istanbul's Urban Transformation Under Scrutiny
Euronews
14 Oca 2019
Turkish
Istanbul, known for its geographical location and architectural history, faces challenges with haphazard urbanization and the loss of green spaces. The disappearance of neighborhood cultures is causing disappointment among residents. The urban transformation process, which accelerated in the 1960s, has led to the development of local neighborhood identities and turned Istanbul into a global player with its industrial economy. Architect Alexis Şanal suggests that many of Istanbul's vacant areas could be transformed into green neighborhood parks, emphasizing the need for innovative design tools to shape 21st-century cities and enhance shared experiences while maintaining ecological aspects. Projects designed with input from NGOs, activists, and citizens aim to revitalize cities as centers of attraction. Şanal, highlighting the lack of green spaces in Istanbul, points to cities like Melbourne, Seoul, and Berlin as examples of investing in culture, libraries, and entertainment centers, leading the way in civil architecture. Despite the challenges, Şanal remains hopeful about the future steps towards enriching public spaces in Istanbul.