Müge Akkar Ercan - Regenerative Urbanism

REGENERATIVE URBANISM

Mge Akkar Ercan

Mge Akkar Ercan . Selen Karadoan . Sabrina Shurdhi . Tue Szer . Yasemen Kaya . Yasin Yaz Kaya . Zeynep Elif Kar

1. REGENERATIVE URBANISM

1.a. Regenerative System

- "continuous replacement, through its own functional processes, of the energy and materials used in its operation" (Lyle, 1994)

- in urban design field, used as an asset-based and need-driven urbanism approach.

- values, protects and maintains traditions -not mimicking history

- learn from the existing practices and utilize these practices to create generative, dynamic and self-adaptable urban systems

1.b. Agent: PATTERN

The recurrent spatial models emerged by local spatial practices which are identified by the synergy/association of various components. Thus, the motto is to look for multiscalar pattems (1) in the old settlements and current urban needs, (2) for intervention/new development and (3) by regenerative urbanism. In the light of critical regionalism, patterns in the old city are filtered and reinterpreted to fulfill the current social and spatial needs.

2. CONTEXT

2.a. Location & Population

Uchisar is located in the Cappadocia region which is an extensive natural heritage site emerged by natural forces on volcanic tuff to create a unique environment involving various geographic forms. The architectural practice is also affected by the material which is soft and easy to carve out. Thus, the unique habitat is shaped to host people by sculpting the soft rocks as well as masonry building techniques with cut-stone made by the same material. There are 3800 people living in Uchisar. The population projection is foreseen to be 6500 in 2030 as stated in the town plan report. However, the current conditions lack vivid common spaces and their coherent connections that nourished by the substantial urban practices.

2.b. History

In 1960s, the old settlement area is determined as the erosion and landslide risk area. Then, the area was discharged leaving the residents

be obliged to abandon their houses and move to new residences built on the southern-downhill-of-the-old-settlement (the new settlement area) through the agency of the state. Having the necessary building practice know-how, locals dismentaled their houses to add-up or reshape their new houses which is a unique insident, however, common in the Cappadocia region.

2.c. Tourism

Cappadocia and Uhisar were enlisted at UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1985. Northern and south-eastern areas surrounding the town are determined as the natural and urban conservation areas.

3. VISION

3.a. Values & Problems & Needs

Values:

- incremental, self-building know-how: The residents are mostly able to built their houses on their own. As mentioned earlier, they know the local materials and built techniques. It is seen from the habitated houses -old and new- that people are wi11ing to manipulate their places.

- levels of spatial hierarchy & 'gradual togetherness': Like many mediterranean countries or organic built practices, the spatial hierarchy is in a wide spectrum, which enables different families, genders and neighbors to live together. I personally cali this phenomena 'the gradual togetherness' since the gradual and articulated characteristics of spatial hierarchy enables a dense togetherness. - compact, collaborative urban life: The old settlement is rathercompact which proposes daily encounters, familiarity and a collaborative urban life.

Problems:

- standardized and non-vivid urban spatial organisations: The new settlement is composed of garden houses side by side with wide vehicular roads around. There are few public spaces; moreover, the streets are not welcoming to pedestrians.

- loose, sprawling urban fabric: The urban fabric is not intended to be dense as in the case of old settlement area, which sprawls towards the fruitful farmlands. This semi-controlled urban growth damages the unique nature and farmlands in time.

Needs:

- densification in the new settlement area: The new additions are as to densify the existing nevv settlement.

- re-establishment of levels of spatial hierarchy: The value of the vvide spectrum of spatial hierarchy is to be re-established.

- incremental development: The nevv development is to be incremental vvith the collaboration of the residents by using local material and human resourses.

3.b. Visions on Macro Scale Densification in the nevv settlement area:

The nevv settlement area is envisioned to be densified in order to enhance the quaIity of life and re-establish the old local spatial values. The densification mechanism is studied only morphologically in the scope of this vvork. The legitimization system to apply this morphology is the subject of a further vvork.

Incremental infill:

The nevv settlement area is proposed to be densified by additive infills betvveen garden houses and edges of the urban blocks. The locations of nevv infills are determined according to the morphological composition. If there is a need for green, open public space, car park, educational and/ or cultural facilities, the infills vvill adapt themselves accordingly.

Defined urban grovvth limit:

The urban grovvth limit is open to spravvl vvhich can be observed the old and current plan of the tovvn. Hovvever, this project proposes a vvell-defined and merging-vvith-the-surrounding-farmlands urban grovvth limit. The aim of this limitation is both to preserve the unique nature and valuable farmlands as vvell as forcing a densification in the tovvn.

Agrotourism on the skirts of the planned tovvn:

The surrounding farmlands are proposed to be protected from further urban grovvth. VVhile protecting these lands, it is aimed to enable people to experience these places and turn this value into a touristic, economic and social benefit. The nevv tovvn settlement is proposed to be extended tovvards the fields by means of agrotourism centers. These agrotourism centers are arranged on a road system vvhich is an extention of the access roads, so that residents as vvell as the tourists accomodating in the tovvn-center can easily vvalk or cycle tovvards these centers. By doing so, the urban grovvth limit is also to be controlled and merged vvith the surrounding.