Speakers
Description
In recent years, alongside globalization, the population has been rapidly increasing and cities have been evolving accordingly. This phenomenon has led to urban expansion and intensified pressures on urban areas. As cities expand towards the suburbs, examining suburban areas has become more important for the future of cities. Suburbs are generally consumerist, residential settlements where the middle and upper classes are concentrated. Especially in the last two decades, suburban studies have sought a new conceptual framework to go beyond the traditional dichotomies of urban space, namely the center-periphery division. As has been discussed by several scholars recently, the socio-spatial and socio-economic polarizations that constantly occur with the expansion of suburbs are fundamental points to be dealt with. In Turkey, this suburbanization process began to emerge in the 20th century. The upper middle class in Turkey also tended to live in these areas in order to 'classify and differentiate' themselves and to want to live in lower density areas. When the first steps of this suburbanization process (planned) were taken, moving to detached villas with gardens in Istanbul was a class indicator that was abandoned for a more 'civilized' environment. In Ankara, this process started a little later and gained momentum with the middle class. However over time, the expansion of these areas has triggered the effects of unequal spatial distribution. Moreover, they have transitioned from homogeneous structures to more complex spaces characterized by socio-economic inequalities. Therefore, social and spatial fragilities emerge. Additionally, the construction of suburbs based on traditional approaches, along with changes in urban futures, is expected to exacerbate environmental, social, and economic fragilities due to uncertainties arising from globalization and urbanization-driven population growth, as well as risks related to climate, finance, and health. These fragilities, together with the fact that cities are complex phenomena and their futures are uncertain, have made them critical concepts that must be thoroughly examined to ensure an equitable and just future. However, old narratives cannot provide sufficient long-term solutions for suburbans. The study therefore examines the limitations of current planning paradigms and the planning processes of suburbs, embracing the uncertainty of the future of cities, emphasizing the need for sustainable and even equitable solutions and ‘transformative and adaptive’ new narratives. Urban planning generally transforms fragile structures while designing areas and communities that are ‘resilient’ against these uncertainties and risks. However, the concepts of fragility and anti-fragility, recently put forward by Taleb (2012) and Aven (2015), aim not only to provide resilience against these shocks, but also to strengthen them by feeding on uncertainties and complexities. In this context, compared to traditional planning approaches, this perspective offers a new anti-fragility approach to cities in a more innovative framework. The study investigates how “Anti-fragility Planning” approaches can be integrated in suburbanization processes in the future, aiming to reduce socio-spatial fragility, strengthen communities and emerge stronger from unexpected challenges or risks. Therefore, the method of this study examines old narratives and fragilities that emerge in suburbanization processes, and there are theoretical discussions and literature comparisons that include new narratives based on the research question of what suburbs could be like in the future of cities with more anti-fragile approaches that can cope with these uncertainties. Consequently, particularly in suburbanization in Turkey can build their capacity in the face of existing fragility or future uncertainties and unpredictability can emerge. For future research, this study can also lead to the development of new approaches to thinking and action practices that embrace uncertainty and complexity in creating an innovative, just, equitable urban future with its antifragile perspective.
References
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| Keywords | Urban Future; Uncertainty; Anti-fragility; Suburbanization; Turkey |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
