Speaker
Description
In the historical process, urban space, urbanization, and urban planning dynamics have been changing and transforming in response to developments that create ruptures in society and living conditions. In the 21st century, innovations in transport and communication technologies have changed the perception of time and space, leading to the redrawing of urban boundaries. This transformation has reinforced the global role of cities, requiring the coordination of economic, political, and spatial dynamics. In this direction, strategic planning approaches have been developed, urban design has focused on process design or fragmented applications rather than aesthetics, and private capital and image-oriented designs have been adopted. One of the most important emphasis of the postmodern approach has been the prioritization of participation and the demands of local communities in the creation of urban life and space. In contrast to modernist projects, this understanding suggests that a civil society in which different communities are in negotiation is the most effective spatial form. The social space in the city, where various demands are reconciled and where everyone can enjoy being a part of it by adding what belongs to them, can be formed spontaneously in a bottom-up participatory approach away from external interventions (Scott, 1998). In this context, the postmodern planning perspective takes into account the different interests and identities in society, listens to them and enables negotiation processes (Watson and Gibson, 1995; Şengül, 2012). Thus, the postmodern era encourages more flexible organization instead of a uniform planning approach by adopting an approach that supports cultural diversity (Karakurt, 2006).
However, it is seen that the postmodernist perspective has not sufficiently developed its own understanding of planning. Baudrillard, one of the leading figures of postmodernism, stated that the most fundamental characteristic of postmodern society is that it talks about simulations instead of reality. In this case, he states that we are faced with a world where the distinction between reality and simulation becomes difficult and subjects are fragmented and dispersed (Baudrillard, 1983). In such a hyper-reality environment, urban planning processes take place in a world where subjects and the problems they face are constantly redefined and constantly reinterpreted. At this point, it becomes difficult to plan the future (Şengül, 2012). In this regard, it has become an important issue to explore and discuss different urban planning concepts/paradigms for future cities in the light of postmodernist criticisms.
It is obvious that urban planning concepts, urban design practices, and policies developed since the modern era have consistently aimed to create the most livable or ideal city. Therefore, a sustainable environment and a resilient city, designed with a human-centered perspective and providing maximum benefit to all segments of society and increasing the quality of life in every aspect, will constitute an important dimension of future cities. For such an approach, learning lessons from past paradigms is of great importance for future cities to “approach the ideal”.
Through the evaluation of past urban planning paradigms and contemporary challenges, this study seeks to define the core principles of a human-centered urban planning approach which ensures resilience and sustainability in the 21st century. The study is based on an in-depth literature review and conceptual analysis.
References
Baudrillard, Jean (1983) Simulations. Semiotext(e).
Karakurt, Elif (2006) Kentsel Mekânı Düzenleme Önerileri: Modern Kent Planlama Anlayışı ve Postmodern Kent Planlama Anlayışı. EÜ İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 26, 1-25.
Scott, James (1998) Seeing like a state. Yale University Press.
Şengül, H. T. (2012) Planlama Paradigmalarının Dönüşümü Üzerine Eleştirel Bir Değerlendirme. In M. Ersoy (ed.) Kentsel Planlama Kuramları (2nd ed. pp. 59-114). Ankara: İmge Kitabevi Yayınları.
Watson, Sophie and Gibson, Katherine (eds.) (1995) Postmodern cities and spaces. Blackwell.
| Keywords | Modernism, post-modernism, planning paradigms, human-centered urban planning, urban resilience. |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
