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Description
As cities move beyond growth-focused models, the connection between urban texture and human scale offers a clear way to design spaces that put people first. Historically, urban growth has often prioritized economic expansion and infrastructural development, leading to dense and sprawling urban forms. While this growth facilitated economic wealth and connectivity, it frequently resulted in the erosion of human scale which is the proportion and spatial qualities of urban environments designed to be comprehensible and comfortable for individuals. People's perceptions of urban life are greatly influenced by the layout of streets, buildings, and open areas. There has been a noticeable shift toward bigger and more standardized building designs that dominate the skyline in cities where growth has been the main priority. These frequently connect with broader streets that are primarily designed to accommodate vehicular traffic. As a result; the sense of place, the sense of enclosure, and key features of spaces designed with human proportions are increasingly being lost. In post-growth urban contexts, re-establishing human scale involves rethinking the spatial relationships between cities and their residents. Narrower streets, diverse building typologies, and well-integrated public spaces are pivotal in creating environments that prioritize pedestrian movement, encourage social interaction, and enhance overall urban livability. The shift from growth to human-centered design also emphasizes quality of life over sheer expansion and contributes to the creation of inclusive and resilient cities.
This paper aims to explore how contrasting urban forms can inform the principles of post-growth urbanism over two extreme points of a grown and developed Central Business District axis of Istanbul: Eminonu (historical core with pedestrian-friendly organic streets) and Maslak (modern period development with vehicle-oriented streets and high-rise buildings). By examining these two abroad districts, the study uncovers how urban design choices shape not only physical spaces but also the social and experiential dimensions of city life. Comparative spatial analyses which are carried out within the scope of the study investigate the critical role of human scale in fostering walkability, social interaction, and a sense of community: Eminönü exemplifies the potential of human-scaled environments to enhance inclusivity and connectivity, while Maslak underscores the challenges of prioritizing economic expansion over social cohesion. This paper also proposes a framework for regulating urban density based on morphological parameters such as street width, building height, and street enclosure. The findings reveal that urban spaces designed with higher levels of street enclosure and balanced building proportions, as observed in Eminönü, enhance social interaction, a sense of place and community, fostering more inclusive environments. Conversely, Maslak's vehicle-oriented design and high-rise dominance highlight the limitations of growth-focused urbanism, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift. By grounding theoretical perspectives in practical solutions, this study underscores the transformative potential of human-scale design in shaping resilient and equitable urban environments, offering clear strategies for urban planners to prioritize quality of life over expansion.
| Keywords | post-growth urbanism; human scale; urban texture; sense of place; Istanbul |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
