LED Online Seminar 2019 - Working Group 8

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Dear working group members. This is your group page and you will be completing the template gradually as we move through the seminar. Good luck and enjoy your collaboration!

Assignment 1 - Reading and Synthesizing Core Terminology

  • You can read more details about this assignment here
  • Readings are accessible via the resources page

Step 1: Your Landscape Democracy Manifestoes

  • Tahiti's manifesto

    Tahiti's manifesto

  • Ferhat's manifesto

    Ferhat's manifesto

  • Maria's manifesto

    Maria's manifesto

  • Goksen's manifesto

    Goksen's manifesto

Step 2: Define your readings

  • Please add your readings selection for the terminology exercise before April 24:

A: Landscape and Democracy

1. Burckhardt, Lucius (1979): Why is landscape beautiful? (Göksen)

2. Lynch, Kevin. (1960): The Image of the City (Tahiti)

3. Cosgrove, Denis. (1985): Prospect, Perspective and the Evolution of the Landscape Idea. (Maria)

B: Concepts of Participation

1. The Powerful, the Powerless, and the Experts: Knowledge Struggles in an Information Age. (2019). (Ferhat)

2. Day, Christopher & Parnell, Rosie (2002): Consensus Design (Göksen)

3. Freire, Paulo (2000): Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Maria)

C: Community and Identity

1. Welk Von Mossner, Alexa (2014): Cinematic Landscapes (Göksen)

2. Hester, Randolph (2006): Design for Ecological Democracy - Sacredness (Tahiti)


D: Designing

1. Hester, Randolph (2006): Design for Ecological Democracy - Everyday Future (Tahiti)

2. Hester, Randolph (1995): Life, Liberty and the Pursuit if Sustainable Happiness (Ferhat)


E: Communicating a Vision

1. Potteiger, Matthew, and Jamie Purinton. 1998. Landscape narratives: design practices for telling stories. (Maria)

2. Brownson, Omar, and Marsh, Emily. Urban Coast 4/1. (2013). Los Angeles River 3.0: Changing the course of Los Angeles. (Ferhat)

Steps 3 and 4: Concepts Selection and definition

  • Each group member selects three relevant concepts derived from his/her readings and synthesize them/publish them on the wiki by May 15, 2019
  • Group members reflect within their groups and define their chosen concepts into a shared definition to be posted on the wiki by June 12, 2019.
  • Other group members will be able to comment on the definitions until June 30, 2019
  • Each group will also report on their process to come to a set of shared definitions of key landscape democracy concepts on the wiki documentation until July 12, 2019

Concepts and definitions

Author 1: Maria Augusta Kroetz

  • The Landscape Idea:

The idea of ​​landscape defined by Cosgrove can be translated, into few words, as the relation between society and space. The term "landscape" acquires several meanings depending on its conception within a given language and depending on the historical period, however, Cosgrove indicates some important constants for the understanding of the concept, being: a) the understanding of landscape as a scientific visual concept - the author emphasizes the importance of the exact and scientific definition of the term landscape so that it can be used as an objective vocabulary without falling into metaphysical reveries. b) the relationship between society and space is translated into the landscape - Cosgrove identifies several historical moments in which the concepts and forms of landscape have changed depending, for example, on the type of government that was in power in that particular place. c) the geographic and cultural specificity of the term landscape - the author, in a very broad but objective definition, manages to rescue the innumerable variants of the term landscape that undergo cultural and geographical differences.

  • The pedagogy of the Oppressed

The pedagogy of the oppressed is aimed at the humanization of us all. Paulo Freire develops a methodology of mass liberation based on the awareness of the oppressed in the current society. Freire begins with an analysis of current society and divides it into two groups: the oppressed and the oppressors. Some key concepts give substance to his methodology, being: a) class consciousness - the oppressed must understand their place of oppressed in society and recognize the oppressor. b) the pedagogy of the oppressed must be thought and acted upon by the oppressed - a pedagogy that comes from "above" will never be a means of liberation for the oppressed. c) the need to change the status quo - the oppressed can not seek their liberation in order to become an oppressor, the means of this type of work must be equality and "re-humanization" of all.

  • Story Telling

Storytelling theory can be understood, generally, as a way of approaching the public. In urban planning it is an instrument that can be used to increase the sense of belonging of the people to that urban reality. It can be used as an instrument on the part of "urban planning technicians" as a kind of fable for a more efficient approach to the group in question and also as an instrument that the public can use to reaffirm the urban reality in which they are inserted.

Author 2: Ferhat Türkoglu

  • The Powerful, The Powerless and the Experts

It is a clash between two types of education. On the on hand the knowledge of expertise which is considered by law as ‘official’ and on the other hand knowledge of experience. Through an extreme example it is shown how relatively powerless individual figures and groups are when facing bureaucracy of states. But it is certainly not just a national issue or a question of wealth of a country. It is a question of an era in which mankind is living. Based on experts like Daniel Bell the preindustrial society ‘evolved’ into an industrial and then into a post-industrial society. That means the coordination of men and machines moved into a knowledge-based society, in which the socio-culture and the socio-economy is managed politically. In case of ‘economic democracy’ all three eras represent a party of interests. The landscape itself depends on participatory knowledge of the future. To achieve this goal democracy must reform the dominating knowledge of today.

  • Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sustainable Happiness

The well-being, security and personal identity of a city’s population is based on environmental costs. In this era mankind is consuming non-renewable resources in a rate that affects the next generation extremely. These long-term consequences increase simultaneously with technologies and daily habits. If we want to stop this cycle of non-sustainability, we must change both the environment and the people who live alongside with it. Information is the key for education and public awareness. The result is a transformation of an individual life based on the current situation of a city. Enabling, resilience and impelling are the three guiding forms which structure an evolving sustainable city.

  • Los Angeles River 3.0

The metropolitan city Los Angeles is mainly known for its Californian lifestyle, warm weather and concrete landscape based on a grid infrastructure. The river formed and changed the face of the city through centuries. The potential of its surrounding open space areas is immense which is now enjoyed by different activities by the citizens. The concept is simple and effective. If you change the landscape, mankind adapts. This is also a part of landscape democracy. Not only planners, citizens and politics affect landscape, the landscape affects its surroundings, too. In case of the ‘Greenway’-concept of LA River, the idea itself gave people well-being and socio-culture. A place in which they can identify themselves. Major investments are going to be achieved which help the restoration of the ecosystem as well. Connectivity is the result of this landscape-human combination.

Author 3: Göksen Ezgi Boz

  • Why landscape is beautiful?

Landscape expresses different meanings for many people. It does not occur as an appearance such as colors, but also social sides support this concept/idea. An understanding of a landscape is influenced by our life experiences. Therefore, the perception of a beautiful or soothing is perspective oriented and subjective.

  • Consensus Design

In this article, the author highlights better ways to make ethical decisions. He compares the democratic voting system vs. consensual approach. In democracies, the system usually is influenced by the demands of the majority, while the minority’s requests are disregarded. The author defines compromising as a crucial step to reach collective decisions and consensus. According to him, we can get a more comprehensive solution with equitable, productive and conscious actions. Reaching an agreement, deciding what is best for our civilization should be on the top of the list for everyone. Limited thinking and old ways should change, and our communities should be able to expand to a more flexible structure. With empathy and ...., we can transform our collective consciousness.

  • Cinematic Landscape

Image of the landscape creates a sense of belonging and allows us to establish a relationship with the place. It reflects the identity of the space very beautifully and performs an instrumental role in the transmission of the story. The author gives more details of the cinematic landscapes in the movie called "Beasts of the Southern Wild." The film reveals the story of today`s environmental realities from the perspective of a six years old girl. Even though the story is based on fiction, the movie excellently focuses on valid issues such as environment, racial, and gender.

Author 4: Rahnuma Ahmad Tahiti

  • Design for Ecological Democracy - Everyday future (Designing)

-To achieve ecological democracy in a landscape it is important to observe people’s everyday life. Taking notes of their experiences, of what they do on a daily basis, their priorities, behavioral pattern in different spaces, can help much more while designing landscapes or urban spaces than the traditional design process. What’s also important maybe is to incorporate past into visions for future, as memory, tradition, values are something integrated into people’s lives, for example, destruction of a neighborhood wash basin after an earthquake which was close to their heart. (The design process for restoring washbasins can start from the remnant of the past). Moreover, we cannot ignore the critical parts of the neighborhoods, the problem makers, rather we need to see how to deal with the problems and integrate these into the new design areas. Something which really inspired me was how the writer establishes the importance of behavior mapping of people in an area before designing. Unlike traditional ways where designers aspire to achieve something utopian by just designing areas and then expect people to use these areas, here the writer tells us that it's important to take into consideration the opinions of every user group and accommodate them in the same picture. Lastly, something great can come up from the everyday features of a neighborhood, which is the sum of their use pattern in different corners of the neighborhood, and which can be used for their inspiring visionary future.

-So to sum up, in the design process, there are two fundamentally important steps, what people 'do' and what they 'need'. This can be done by reviewing past research, listening to people, by observing how people interact with each other and with their landscape. So for people-centric design and to truly benefit people, there is the need of the amalgamation of both research skills and then the shaping up of the space, which complements the everyday activities of the people in the city.

  • Design for Ecological Democracy - Sacredness (Community and Identity)

-The places people are attached to, have special significance to them and carry meanings. These values, attachments, connections are built over a period of time.

-The buildings and landscapes that belong to a particular community reinforce the everyday pattern of that community’s life. These places shape their sense of community values and use pattern. Therefore the loss of these essential memorable places would reorder or destroy their everyday social process, which is vital for the community’s collectiveness.

-The collective sense of sacredness in a community can inspire people to achieve preservation of a particular landscape and its virtues, which might not have been possible in other scenarios.

-When collective wellbeing of people is the prior concern, the design of an area would benefit the whole urban neighborhood. Community goal would be prioritized rather than commercial gain.

-Different landscape elements like mountains, orchards or a shallow creek might have certain associated feelings with it like a childhood memory, or a strong emotion of faith, nurture or care. These elements also carry different values according to different cultures. This language of the landscape can be used to transcend/incorporate the emotion of the communities in the design of the city.

-Since sacredness is associated with design building on goodwill and goodness, prioritizing heart but also unifying the scientific ground, and everything that is organic, nonviolent or beautiful; a gestalt can be achieved which is soul touching and inspiring for the inhabitants of a city.

  • Image of the city (Mapping the Terrain)

Designing a city goes beyond architecture, art or any traditional working process. If the observer's eyes can find coherency, balance, and clarity while taking a walk in the city that will probably to an extent prove the success of the city's design. My takeaway from this book would be the emotional process the writer goes through to find the image of a city. It's the perception of the users which is at the end important for him, as these are the people who take hundreds of walks through the city's streets to and front for years. His ways of finding clarity, legibility, simplicity, continuity, etc. and how the joints, nodes, paths, and landmarks of the cities should be analyzed is something that every enthusiast of urban design should study. If nothing, at least to know how to observe informally a city's nooks and streets from a closer angle.

Step 5: Reflection

The idea of ​​landscape as the relation between society and space with three key points for understanding it: a scientific visual concept, the relationship between society and space is translated into the landscape and the geographic and cultural specificity of the term landscape. Following this kind of thinking, we can conclude that there’s a strong relationship between landscape and community. In this direct relation, landscape should be a common ground shaped by collective consciousness and experience. That’s why in heart of every city's design, the collective voice of the public should be heard. Their well being, their diversified spiritual, ethical values, attachments, their preferences, use patterns, what they like and do not like, should be the foremost concern. Gathering experience through different situations of landscape changes means questioning and reforming the current planning methods, furthermore information is a tool for education and public awareness. Together they promote adaptation to environmental development. The idea of a participation process of landscape design based then on humanizating all and giving the people the voice they deserve in the real conflicts of the cities. Also, the role of the urbanist is to make an approachable design with the active participation of all the stakeholders, provings methods that can be understood by all. A landscape fails when the commercial gain is prioritized over collective community gain and achieves its goal when there’s an active participation of all towards the common good.

Step 6: Revised manifestoes

  • please look again at your initial manifestoes and update them with any new aspects/prespectives you have taken up during this seminar
  • Ferhat Türkoglu: My point of view about Landscape Democracy changed substantially. At the beginning of the LED course i thought democracy is mainly about communication among affected parties, like politics, experts and citizens, and the result might affect the landscape positively or negatively. Now i truly think it is matter of current circumstances of our environment . Changes in landscape are inevitable and every era of human mindset is reacting differently to environmenal problems. But between all these centuries of planning and creating one thing is in common. In each and every environmental issue there is someone who takes the lead. Every communication, participation and demonstration starts with a community who reacts to the changes. So my opinion is that Leadership plays an important role for landscape democracy.

    Ferhat Türkoglu: My point of view about Landscape Democracy changed substantially. At the beginning of the LED course i thought democracy is mainly about communication among affected parties, like politics, experts and citizens, and the result might affect the landscape positively or negatively. Now i truly think it is matter of current circumstances of our environment . Changes in landscape are inevitable and every era of human mindset is reacting differently to environmenal problems. But between all these centuries of planning and creating one thing is in common. In each and every environmental issue there is someone who takes the lead. Every communication, participation and demonstration starts with a community who reacts to the changes. So my opinion is that Leadership plays an important role for landscape democracy.

  • Maria Kroetz: In this semester I learned that the landscape is a social and visual pehonemon that suround us. This phenomenon can be acted in a way with the participation and with the means to achieve the wellness of every actor involved with this process. A democratic landscape is a process willing to achieve the common good.

    Maria Kroetz: In this semester I learned that the landscape is a social and visual pehonemon that suround us. This phenomenon can be acted in a way with the participation and with the means to achieve the wellness of every actor involved with this process. A democratic landscape is a process willing to achieve the common good.

  • Goksen's updated manifesto

    Goksen's updated manifesto

Assignment 2 - Your Landscape Symbols

  • You can read more details about this assignment here

Landscape Symbols Author 1: Ferhat Türkoglu

  • A forgotten tree surrounded and repressed by buildings at the top of a hill with a bride view over Lissabon. A hidden spot, seen by everyone but visited mainly by locals. The tree just survived the density of the urban sprawl for decades and still it emits an aura to all of its visitors. Power, strength and patience are just a few words which describe this lonely tree. On this picture even the smallest aspect which is also in the background can have the biggest impact after understanding its meaning. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 38.717639, -9.154222

    A forgotten tree surrounded and repressed by buildings at the top of a hill with a bride view over Lissabon. A hidden spot, seen by everyone but visited mainly by locals. The tree just survived the density of the urban sprawl for decades and still it emits an aura to all of its visitors. Power, strength and patience are just a few words which describe this lonely tree. On this picture even the smallest aspect which is also in the background can have the biggest impact after understanding its meaning. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 38.717639, -9.154222

  • Eco-friendly Mobility in Praia de Faro. Full of cars, extremely dense and concrete, wherever you look. This is basically explaining what you can find on this settlement behind a beautiful beach. In this case the image is filled with automobiles which can be understood as the landscape symbol, but again the smallest fact has the biggest meaning. A girl, who is a student has a more eco-friendly way of moving from one place to another. You can only imagine how this settlement would look like, if the people switch into more green methods. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 36.998687, -7.980361

    Eco-friendly Mobility in Praia de Faro. Full of cars, extremely dense and concrete, wherever you look. This is basically explaining what you can find on this settlement behind a beautiful beach. In this case the image is filled with automobiles which can be understood as the landscape symbol, but again the smallest fact has the biggest meaning. A girl, who is a student has a more eco-friendly way of moving from one place to another. You can only imagine how this settlement would look like, if the people switch into more green methods. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 36.998687, -7.980361

  • Scenery-destroying trash-bins are keeping Praia do Guincho clean. Phenomenal cliffs in the background which are in fact the most western part of Europe, a beautiful beach which has the potential to attract visitors from all over the world and the topography on the right which invites everyone to discover its land. But again the smallest, unimportant and maybe not even beautiful object in this case affects this image. Trash bins are used to store trash and keep its surrounding clean. This paradise would look different without them. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 38.730041, -9.473261

    Scenery-destroying trash-bins are keeping Praia do Guincho clean. Phenomenal cliffs in the background which are in fact the most western part of Europe, a beautiful beach which has the potential to attract visitors from all over the world and the topography on the right which invites everyone to discover its land. But again the smallest, unimportant and maybe not even beautiful object in this case affects this image. Trash bins are used to store trash and keep its surrounding clean. This paradise would look different without them. source: Türkoglu, F. (2019), 38.730041, -9.473261

Landscape Symbols Author 2: Rahnuma Ahmad Tahiti

  • Lake Side Square, Zurich, Switzerland. The activity of people in the urban open space with music, food & sightseeing. To me the liberty to enjoy this urban open space with the lake in the front and this scenic beauty, this experience in itself means democracy, and landscape democracy, so to say. 47.3663535,8.5445599

    Lake Side Square, Zurich, Switzerland. The activity of people in the urban open space with music, food & sightseeing. To me the liberty to enjoy this urban open space with the lake in the front and this scenic beauty, this experience in itself means democracy, and landscape democracy, so to say. 47.3663535,8.5445599

  • Do not touch the flowers. Location: Khagrachari, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A sneak peek into a garden enthusiast's house, in the height of some 1800 feet in a small indigenous village in Khagrachari. The signboard 'do not touch flowers' might make passersby curious and it also explains the thoughtful arrangements of the flowers and lush green plants near the walking routes. It gave me a window to the owner's mind.23.4115976,92.2712831

    Do not touch the flowers. Location: Khagrachari, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A sneak peek into a garden enthusiast's house, in the height of some 1800 feet in a small indigenous village in Khagrachari. The signboard 'do not touch flowers' might make passersby curious and it also explains the thoughtful arrangements of the flowers and lush green plants near the walking routes. It gave me a window to the owner's mind.23.4115976,92.2712831

  • Martyr Monument. Location: University Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Built in the commemoration of the martyrs killed during the language movement of 21st Feb 1952. The monument symbolizes the importance of Bengali language for the public, as language is one of the basic rights of people. The place stands as a witness of the history as on this exact place the movement took place. It is at the same time a social, cultural and political symbol. 23.7266351,90.3953682

    Martyr Monument. Location: University Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Built in the commemoration of the martyrs killed during the language movement of 21st Feb 1952. The monument symbolizes the importance of Bengali language for the public, as language is one of the basic rights of people. The place stands as a witness of the history as on this exact place the movement took place. It is at the same time a social, cultural and political symbol. 23.7266351,90.3953682

Landscape Symbols Author 3: Göksen Ezgi Boz

  • Taksim square represents history. It is a famous place symbolizing the birth of the modern Turkish Republic. Also it’s an important landmark and serves to citizens and tourists as city compass. The city’s heartbeats can be heard from there because it connects people who comes from different taste of politic, religion and philosophies. 41.036876, 28.985157

    Taksim square represents history. It is a famous place symbolizing the birth of the modern Turkish Republic. Also it’s an important landmark and serves to citizens and tourists as city compass. The city’s heartbeats can be heard from there because it connects people who comes from different taste of politic, religion and philosophies. 41.036876, 28.985157

  • The Gezi Park is located next to the historical Taksim Square in Beyoglu which is one of the busiest intersections in Istanbul. The park is small but has enough green space to sit down and relax.It provides a comfortable setting for people who need to be away from the chaos of the outside world. It is like a secret garden where people can quietly revitalize. After the protests in 2013, Gezi Park became a more powerful symbol for inhabitants. 41.038871, 28.987050

    The Gezi Park is located next to the historical Taksim Square in Beyoglu which is one of the busiest intersections in Istanbul. The park is small but has enough green space to sit down and relax.It provides a comfortable setting for people who need to be away from the chaos of the outside world. It is like a secret garden where people can quietly revitalize. After the protests in 2013, Gezi Park became a more powerful symbol for inhabitants. 41.038871, 28.987050

  • Istiklal is a historical, commercial and vivid open space in Istanbul. It welcomes thousands of people on their way in the morning and night as well as many tourists dwelling the city. It’s represent social communication and openness. The heart of the city beats here people from all walks of life exist peacefully. 41.035452, 28.982104

    Istiklal is a historical, commercial and vivid open space in Istanbul. It welcomes thousands of people on their way in the morning and night as well as many tourists dwelling the city. It’s represent social communication and openness. The heart of the city beats here people from all walks of life exist peacefully. 41.035452, 28.982104

Landscape Symbols Author 4: Maria Augusta Kroetz

  • This is the tower of an aqueduct in a suburban area of the city of Bologna, Corticella. In this district this tower, after a process of restructuring the neighborhood to increase the feeling of belonging to it, has acquired a role of territorial demarcation and meeting point of the citizens of Corticella.

    This is the tower of an aqueduct in a suburban area of the city of Bologna, Corticella. In this district this tower, after a process of restructuring the neighborhood to increase the feeling of belonging to it, has acquired a role of territorial demarcation and meeting point of the citizens of Corticella.

  • Labas is a Political collective of Bologna that has occupied an old barrack in the city center that wasn't being used. Now this collective organizes political and cultural manifestations every week and promotes a space of discussions and cultural appropriation. This picture was taken during a movie's premiere that has takes place on the old barrack occupied by Labas.

    Labas is a Political collective of Bologna that has occupied an old barrack in the city center that wasn't being used. Now this collective organizes political and cultural manifestations every week and promotes a space of discussions and cultural appropriation. This picture was taken during a movie's premiere that has takes place on the old barrack occupied by Labas.

  • The Two Towers of Bologna have a historic role of demarcation of the landscape. In the past was used as a symbol of power and territory and now it has changed it's meaning to an meeting point and a touristic attraction of the city.

    The Two Towers of Bologna have a historic role of demarcation of the landscape. In the past was used as a symbol of power and territory and now it has changed it's meaning to an meeting point and a touristic attraction of the city.

Assignment 3 - Role Play on Landscape Democracy "movers and shakers"

  • You can read more details about this assignment here

Assignment 4 - Your Landscape Democracy Challenge

  • You can read more details about this assignment here
  • Each group member will specify a landscape democracy challenge in his/her environment

Landscape Democracy Challenge 1

  • Ferhat Türkoglu: Colonizing a barrier peninsula
  • Location: Praia de Faro, a part of the city Faro, in the central part of the Algarve, south of Portugal. I have chosen this case because Praia de Faro is a threatened paradise in Portugal. Facing natural hazards and anthropogenic overexploitation the peninsula is in a dilemma of landscape democracy. "Everyone knows but nobody cares". Those five words decribe the situation of the settlement very clear. (Google Maps, 2019)

    Location: Praia de Faro, a part of the city Faro, in the central part of the Algarve, south of Portugal. I have chosen this case because Praia de Faro is a threatened paradise in Portugal. Facing natural hazards and anthropogenic overexploitation the peninsula is in a dilemma of landscape democracy. "Everyone knows but nobody cares". Those five words decribe the situation of the settlement very clear. (Google Maps, 2019)

  • Living next to the ocean sounds heavenly, but in this case the buildings were constructed on the dunes. Two thirds of the settlements territory lies on the dune, which had to be destroyed for the sake of man-made living. That basically means the citizens of this area are completely unprotected against flooding hazards, storms and erosion (Türkoglu, 2019)

    Living next to the ocean sounds heavenly, but in this case the buildings were constructed on the dunes. Two thirds of the settlements territory lies on the dune, which had to be destroyed for the sake of man-made living. That basically means the citizens of this area are completely unprotected against flooding hazards, storms and erosion (Türkoglu, 2019)

  • For the settlement on Praia de Faro and for strengthening up the infrastructure on the peninsula, concrete was used to cover up the whole territory until both borders. In case of a storm and overwashes, there is no possibility to protect the streets and the buildings because of the high degree of sealing. (Türkoglu, 2019)

    For the settlement on Praia de Faro and for strengthening up the infrastructure on the peninsula, concrete was used to cover up the whole territory until both borders. In case of a storm and overwashes, there is no possibility to protect the streets and the buildings because of the high degree of sealing. (Türkoglu, 2019)

  • Five parties are responsible for this disastrous development of Praia de Faro. Politics and the slow procedure of decision making, planners who made wrong decisions in creating tourism oriented plans in the past, the native portuguese with their second residences which are offered to tourists and students for money making, the tourists who are overcrowding the settlement and leave trash and pollution everywhere and the fishermen community who is still occupying the dunes with no attempt to live sustainable. (Türkoglu, 2019)

    Five parties are responsible for this disastrous development of Praia de Faro. Politics and the slow procedure of decision making, planners who made wrong decisions in creating tourism oriented plans in the past, the native portuguese with their second residences which are offered to tourists and students for money making, the tourists who are overcrowding the settlement and leave trash and pollution everywhere and the fishermen community who is still occupying the dunes with no attempt to live sustainable. (Türkoglu, 2019)

Your references:

Landscape Democracy Challenge 2

  • The effect of Rampal powerplant on the Sundarbans Forest
  • Sundarbans is the largest uninterrupted single tract mangrove forest in the world, located in southwestern part of Bangladesh. It is the largest source of forest produce in Bangladesh. It has 4 protected wildlife sanctuaries declared by UNESCO. The Sundarbans hosts a large variety of animals, especially the critically threatened Bengal tigers. It provides natural protection to life and properties of the coastal population in Cyclone-prone Bangladesh. A joint Indian-Bangladesh power plant venture by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Co. Ltd called Rampal power plant is going to be built on over 1834 acres of land, only 14 km from the Sundarbans. Which poses high threat on the Mangroves, the marine animals living there and nearby human communities who live in the proximity of the mangroves. I have taken this challenge since I believe this is one of the major landscape challenges Bangladesh now faces.

    Sundarbans is the largest uninterrupted single tract mangrove forest in the world, located in southwestern part of Bangladesh. It is the largest source of forest produce in Bangladesh. It has 4 protected wildlife sanctuaries declared by UNESCO. The Sundarbans hosts a large variety of animals, especially the critically threatened Bengal tigers. It provides natural protection to life and properties of the coastal population in Cyclone-prone Bangladesh. A joint Indian-Bangladesh power plant venture by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Co. Ltd called Rampal power plant is going to be built on over 1834 acres of land, only 14 km from the Sundarbans. Which poses high threat on the Mangroves, the marine animals living there and nearby human communities who live in the proximity of the mangroves. I have taken this challenge since I believe this is one of the major landscape challenges Bangladesh now faces.

  • The Rampal power plant is going to be built on over 1834 acres of land, only 14 km from the Sundarbans. As per the conditions set by Department of Energy of Bangladesh for such projects, they must be outside a 25 km radius from the borders of an ecologically sensitive area,and this project undoubtedly violates the condition. The power plants are going to alter the critical water balance in the Sundarban region, polluting the surrounding water and air, and increasing the risk of oil and coal spills.

    The Rampal power plant is going to be built on over 1834 acres of land, only 14 km from the Sundarbans. As per the conditions set by Department of Energy of Bangladesh for such projects, they must be outside a 25 km radius from the borders of an ecologically sensitive area,and this project undoubtedly violates the condition. The power plants are going to alter the critical water balance in the Sundarban region, polluting the surrounding water and air, and increasing the risk of oil and coal spills.

  • Moreover, according to the proposal the plant will draw water from a nearby river Passur taking up to 219,600 cubic metres of water everyday. The concern of the Activists is that this will impact the local water supplies as this means the plant will discharge treated wastewater back into the river.The pollutants introduced into the water supply will harm the mangroves, the marine animals living there, and nearby human communities who use the water body for fishing and agriculture. There is also the possibility of oil spill from the Power Plant. Once in 2014 an Oil tanker spilled some 75000 gallons in the vulnerable ecosystem and the local communities had no tools or support from the Government to fight the toxic spill with. Apart from the drastic environmental impact on the Mangrove Forest, the power plant construction also impedes the agricultural system existing in the proposed site area. This means halt of production of tons of paddy, fish and variety vegetables on a yearly basis, which is a huge loss.

    Moreover, according to the proposal the plant will draw water from a nearby river Passur taking up to 219,600 cubic metres of water everyday. The concern of the Activists is that this will impact the local water supplies as this means the plant will discharge treated wastewater back into the river.The pollutants introduced into the water supply will harm the mangroves, the marine animals living there, and nearby human communities who use the water body for fishing and agriculture. There is also the possibility of oil spill from the Power Plant. Once in 2014 an Oil tanker spilled some 75000 gallons in the vulnerable ecosystem and the local communities had no tools or support from the Government to fight the toxic spill with. Apart from the drastic environmental impact on the Mangrove Forest, the power plant construction also impedes the agricultural system existing in the proposed site area. This means halt of production of tons of paddy, fish and variety vegetables on a yearly basis, which is a huge loss.

  • In 2013, a long march took place with 20,000 protesters but it had no response from the Govt.Another long march took place for the same purpose on March 10, 2016. Anu Muhammad, (one of the head march organizers,and one of the most vocal environmentalists who has been protesting against the power plant project), claims "No sensible person will deny that there are many alternative ways for electricity generation. But there is no alternative for the Sundarbans.’ The Bangladesh government continues to deny any potential detrimental effects on the Sundarbans due to the power plants. According to government the project will bring economic prosperity to the area so people will depend less on the Sunderbans. They clearly fail to acknowledge the huge environmental risk the project brings along and the long term threat it poses on the Environment. Sunderbans being such a precious heritage site and home of wildlives have much more importance than this electricity generation project.

    In 2013, a long march took place with 20,000 protesters but it had no response from the Govt.Another long march took place for the same purpose on March 10, 2016. Anu Muhammad, (one of the head march organizers,and one of the most vocal environmentalists who has been protesting against the power plant project), claims "No sensible person will deny that there are many alternative ways for electricity generation. But there is no alternative for the Sundarbans.’ The Bangladesh government continues to deny any potential detrimental effects on the Sundarbans due to the power plants. According to government the project will bring economic prosperity to the area so people will depend less on the Sunderbans. They clearly fail to acknowledge the huge environmental risk the project brings along and the long term threat it poses on the Environment. Sunderbans being such a precious heritage site and home of wildlives have much more importance than this electricity generation project.

References

Landscape Democracy Challenge-Göksen Ezgi Boz

  • Preserving unique productive landscapes and historical identity
  • Istanbul's Yedikule Gardens are located next to Theodosian walls which are part of the historic Istanbul city walls. This special location was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Unlike many agricultural areas in Istanbul which were destroyed by the construction of new roads, residential areas, shopping centers, it was able to protect its agricultural land base for more than 1500 years.

    Istanbul's Yedikule Gardens are located next to Theodosian walls which are part of the historic Istanbul city walls. This special location was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Unlike many agricultural areas in Istanbul which were destroyed by the construction of new roads, residential areas, shopping centers, it was able to protect its agricultural land base for more than 1500 years.

  • In this historic landscape, farmers still use traditional cultivation methods. They produce native fruit and vegetables which are grown for hundreds of generations. Furthermore, these gardens provide a green space in the city and have great importance to fragile green infrastructure.

    In this historic landscape, farmers still use traditional cultivation methods. They produce native fruit and vegetables which are grown for hundreds of generations. Furthermore, these gardens provide a green space in the city and have great importance to fragile green infrastructure.

  • The metropolitan municipality of Istanbul came up with an idea to transform this historical agricultural land to a public park. Unfortunately, the process didn't involve public participation.

    The metropolitan municipality of Istanbul came up with an idea to transform this historical agricultural land to a public park. Unfortunately, the process didn't involve public participation.

  • The residents of Istanbul got together for public protests with the help from civil society organizations and took legal action against this unfair enforcement. Despite the legal protests, the municipality poured rubble and poor quality soil into the land, and destroyed some of the centuries-old farming plots.

    The residents of Istanbul got together for public protests with the help from civil society organizations and took legal action against this unfair enforcement. Despite the legal protests, the municipality poured rubble and poor quality soil into the land, and destroyed some of the centuries-old farming plots.

Your references:

Landscape Democracy Challenge 4

  • Bairro Mossunguê - Spatialized Social Inequality
  • In this district in the city of Curitiba, in the region of Paraná, in Brasil, two very different social realities coexist, High Standard Residence and the Favelas, without any kind of neighborhood relation and lack of democracy. This reality is shown on because of a real estate speculation made in the 1990s with the help of the government. This urban problem can be seen with extreme gravity because it creates isolation islands of different social classes that do not coexist with each other.The creation of walls of separation between these different classes is a spatialization of the social inequality and also the unwillingness of some agents involved in this urban process to mix different realities and mitigate ghettoization and non-democratic processes in the city.

    In this district in the city of Curitiba, in the region of Paraná, in Brasil, two very different social realities coexist, High Standard Residence and the Favelas, without any kind of neighborhood relation and lack of democracy. This reality is shown on because of a real estate speculation made in the 1990s with the help of the government. This urban problem can be seen with extreme gravity because it creates isolation islands of different social classes that do not coexist with each other.The creation of walls of separation between these different classes is a spatialization of the social inequality and also the unwillingness of some agents involved in this urban process to mix different realities and mitigate ghettoization and non-democratic processes in the city.

  • Conceived to be a workers' district of the Industrial City of Curitiba (CIC), it has become an extensive vertical condominium for the upper middle class.The objective was to create housing for workers, with independent infrastructure. The initial zoning was conceived with buildings with few floors and commercial shops on the ground floor, imagined as a high-density zone, harmonizing residents, visitors and commerce. It should have been developed with high density housing with urban apparatus for living, such as squares, and little movement in the streets.But the occupancy laws were gradually changed until they reached a format that allows isolated high standard housing skyscrapers without any life on the streets.

    Conceived to be a workers' district of the Industrial City of Curitiba (CIC), it has become an extensive vertical condominium for the upper middle class.The objective was to create housing for workers, with independent infrastructure. The initial zoning was conceived with buildings with few floors and commercial shops on the ground floor, imagined as a high-density zone, harmonizing residents, visitors and commerce. It should have been developed with high density housing with urban apparatus for living, such as squares, and little movement in the streets.But the occupancy laws were gradually changed until they reached a format that allows isolated high standard housing skyscrapers without any life on the streets.

  • Over time were created housing complexes of different social classes very close to each other but without any kind of coexistence. The favelas in this neighborhood work as a deposit of labor that feeds the rich classes nearby but without any type of relation between them if not than the exploited and exploited. For convenience, there are no interests or actors strong enough to include and mix these two realities, creating these inhabitable islands immersed in an atmosphere of fear and prejudice.

    Over time were created housing complexes of different social classes very close to each other but without any kind of coexistence. The favelas in this neighborhood work as a deposit of labor that feeds the rich classes nearby but without any type of relation between them if not than the exploited and exploited. For convenience, there are no interests or actors strong enough to include and mix these two realities, creating these inhabitable islands immersed in an atmosphere of fear and prejudice.

  • The main facilitating agent for this change was the public power. In the early 1970s, large quantities of land were sold in that area to real estate developers. These pressured the government to insulate the transport infrastructure - connector 5 - during the 1980s and 1990s. In the 2000s, with the help of a City Marketing made by the Common and real estate agents, these lands that gained a lot of value during these 30 years of immoral speculation were used for high standard developments, completely changing the destination of the neighborhood and creating islands of housing of different social classes that are separated by large walls and do not coexist with each other. The people in all of this time was never consulted and didn't have any kind of participation in the construction of this part of the city. They were only used by the real state agents to pressure the government in some cases.

    The main facilitating agent for this change was the public power. In the early 1970s, large quantities of land were sold in that area to real estate developers. These pressured the government to insulate the transport infrastructure - connector 5 - during the 1980s and 1990s. In the 2000s, with the help of a City Marketing made by the Common and real estate agents, these lands that gained a lot of value during these 30 years of immoral speculation were used for high standard developments, completely changing the destination of the neighborhood and creating islands of housing of different social classes that are separated by large walls and do not coexist with each other. The people in all of this time was never consulted and didn't have any kind of participation in the construction of this part of the city. They were only used by the real state agents to pressure the government in some cases.

Your references:

  • POLUCHA, R. S. Ecoville: construindo uma cidade para poucos. 2010.166f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Arquitetura e Urbanismo) Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo.
  • MOURA, R. Os Riscos da Cidade-Modelo. In: ACSELRAD, H. (org). Aduração das cidades. Sustentabilidade e risco nas políticas urbanas. Rio de Janeiro: DP&A, 2001.
  • OLIVEIRA, D. Curitiba e o mito da cidade modelo. Curitiba: UFPR, 2000. __________. Urbanização e Industrialização no Paraná. Curitiba: SEED, 2001.

Your Democratic Change Process

  • Bairro Mossunguê-Spatialized Social Inequality
  • The selected challenge

    The selected challenge

  • The selected challenge

    The selected challenge

  • The power map

    The power map

  • The change process

    The change process

  • The main findings

    The main findings

  • The overall reflection

    The overall reflection

Reflection

  • Gathering experience of different situations of landscape changes means questioning and reforming the current planning methods
  • Informing the society is the key for education and public awareness, but to reach this goal human nature has to be retuned
  • Regional identity can be achieved through accepting and adapting to changes of environmental development.
  • ....
  • ....
  • ....

Conclusion

The proposals we have made for the area;

  • Temporalized, meaning that they are designed in such a way as to allow an evolution of the area in agreement with its needs over time.
  • Taking into account the problems and limits presented in the area. This allowed us to propose feasible interventions connected with the actual current situation.
  • We have developed in the proposals is the question of participation, promoting the right of urban planning to all.

We think;

  • Everyone deserves a healthy living place in the city. For sustainable coexistence of the citizens, it's important to come to a common ground.
  • They should be given the place of comfort so they can shape the landscape together with all inclusive decisions.
  • The landscape is evolving, in a negative or positive direction. It is up to the human being to understand what happens to his surrounding environment and to react in the most sustainable way to not threaten the landscape.

Your references

  • ...
  • ...
  • ...


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