Resilience abilities of urban squares: A study in Istanbul’s peripheral districts

Sertac Erten, Ayse Ozbil Torun, Tugce Gurleyen, Cansin Akbas, Ezgi Zunbuloglu

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Abstract

Urban open public spaces have a special significance in terms of resilience in cities. They work as extra room to move (Walker et al. 2004) in any case of environmental variability, such as flood, earthquake, etc. Resilience is also related with diversity, which refers to the degree of capacity for a system to adopt to a wide range of different and sometimes unpredictable circumstances (ibid). In urban morphology studies, diversity is measured by the variety of land-use, block sizes, and density.

This study focuses on resilience abilities of four peripheral “urban squares” in İstanbul, Turkey. These areas have retained their peripheral characteristics yet at the same time served as sub-centers for the surrounding regions. Is it possible to calculate resilience ability by morphological and space syntax analyses? Do landuse patterns affect resilience? Are there any associations between diversity in landuse and user behaviors and cognitions related to that urban public open space (spending more time, using frequently, etc.)?

The paper defines two variables to measure resilience in context of urban
morphology: diversity and connectivity. The methodology applied in the study then includes a synthesis of three types of expertise: 1) behavioral mapping of areas (through the analysis of patterns of use based on direct observation), 2) cognitive evaluation of spaces based on perceived factors (through user questionnaires), and 3) quantifying urban public spaces objectively (through the methodology of space syntax). The results identify associations between objective characteristics of public spaces designed at the peripheral districts, patterns of use and users’ perception of these areas.
Original languageEnglish
Pages587-600
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2016
Event23rd International Seminar on Urban Form - Nanjing, China
Duration: 8 Jul 201610 Jul 2016

Conference

Conference23rd International Seminar on Urban Form
Country/TerritoryChina
CityNanjing
Period8/07/1610/07/16

Keywords

  • urban square
  • resilience
  • morphology
  • space syntax
  • periphery
  • Istanbul

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