Page 39 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 4

Seda Kundak

1. Introduction

There are numerous in-depth studies and findings related to the legal tools
and implementation methods which the concept of urban transformation
corresponds to, in terms of economic structural changes and the ways of
growth of cities. Görgülü et al. (2006) addresses the processes corresponding
to Türkiye’s urban transformation in four periods in his studies. While the
period up to the 1960s was defined as redevelopment and urban renewal,
the improvement studies were included in these approaches in the period
between 1960 and 1970. The period between 1970 and 1990, when real
estate-oriented transformation took place within the framework of public-
private cooperation, and the period after the 1990s, has been described as
the time when society was “recognized again” as one of the transformation
actors. There are evaluation studies and criticisms regarding the addressing of
urban transformation as solely a construction activity (see. Ataöv and Osmay,
2007). However, urban transformation is expected to be in such a form that
targets large-scale and integrative achievements by considering its socio-
economic components besides structural renewal (Tekeli, 2003; Köktürk and
Köktürk, 2007). The aspect which can be regarded as a disadvantage for
urban transformation applications stands out at this point. Failing to support
these applications sufficiently with social housing, urban macroform and
infrastructure systems against ensuring the internal consistency for targets
and designs related to the urban transformation field results in postponing
the problems both spatially and temporally as seen in many examples. In the
in-depth studies where the effects of disasters are examined, the methods
related to finding and solving the root causes of destruction and damage
are followed (see FORIN Project, 2011). Addressing the similar approaches by
taking into account the urban transformation areas can develop accurate and
comprehensive interventions to the factors creating the problem and prevent
spatial, social and economic imbalances in the city as a whole.
Although there were numerous devastating disasters before the 1999
Marmara earthquakes, there is no clear approach aimed at reducing urban
risks. This can be expressed as a reflection of the general trend that had
continued until the 2000s throughout the world, rather than being a criticism,
specifically for Türkiye. As Banerjee stated in his speech (1992): “... cities are
designed with all kinds of purposes in mind (....) however, there is no record
of a city designed in such a way as to minimize earthquake disasters.”.
Participating countries have taken certain steps for minimising the negative
effects of the disasters by making legal arrangements proposed in the scope
of international initiatives such as Yokohama Strategy (United Nations, 1994),
The Millenium Development Goals (United Nations, 2000), Hyogo Framework
for Action (United Nations, 2005), Kyoto Protocol (United Nations, 1997),

28 The Journal of Environment, Urban and Climate