LED 2016 Group B Landscape Democracy Challenge 3

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Place name	Istanbul
Location	Taksim Gezi Park
Country	Turkey
Author	Melis Kilic

Rationale: Why have you chosen this case for the landscape and democracy seminar?

Taksim Gezi Park is an urban park next to Taksim Square, in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district. It is one of the last green spaces in Beyoğlu and one of the smallest parks of Istanbul. The plans include the building of a replica 19th century Ottoman barracks, Topçu Kışlası, and said by the Prime Minister to include the construction of a shopping centre and mosque.

From 28 May 2013 protests began to occur against plans. The protests developed into riots when a group began occupying Taksim square and the police tried to suppress the demonstrations.

Anger was caused not just by the destruction of the park but also the opaque way in which the decision for the redevelopment project was taken, which critics described as characteristic not just of urban regeneration projects but, more generally, of a government unwilling to respect or listen to opposing opinion.

Representation of your observations

• you are basically free to use one or a mix of different presentation techniques
• possibilities are: analytical drawings, graphical representations, collages, video clips, comic/graphic novel, written essay/visual essay
• please add any visual material to the gallery, videos can be placed below, you may add text as you like

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  case representation

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Reflection

What are the major challenges for changing the situation?

 The distinction between traditional politics and the politics of governance is the involvement of civil society in political decision-making processes. This may be one of the major challenges which civil society in Turkey needs to overcome as was well illustrated during the Gezi Park events.

What could be a starting point for democractically-based change?

 Maybe If the government could better inform the people and get feedback from them that could be more democratic.

References

• https://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/eur440222013en.pdf
• http://technosociology.org/?p=1349
• http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-in-turkey-and-do-i-really-need-to-care-511018243
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taksim_Gezi_Park
• https://img.rt.com/files/news/1f/d6/e0/00/27.si.jpg

• Please make sure that you give proper references of all external resources used.
• Do not use any images of which you do not hold the copyright.
• Please add internet links to other resources if necessary.

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