Urban identity of izmir through modernity

Ref.: 234
Área temática: 02 Integridad funcional de los paisajes urbanos históricos
Fecha de recepción: 14/11/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

METE, Hande * (Turquía) - Yasar University

ABSTRACT

This paper aimes to represent the changes in architecture of housing and the evaluation of the character of the urban identity of Izmir through modernist approach. Izmir as being the third biggest city of Turkey, is considered as one of the ancient cities worldwide. Starting with the formation of the Turkish Republic the abrubt development of the cities has brought many negative spatial values within their historical urban landscapes. The citizans had started to search for a urban identity in different perspectives regarding the new organizations that came with the new born republic. The interaction between the new state of economical, political, social and the cultural values and the city itself, creat the city dynamics and the reflections of this vivacity brings a cultural chaos both in social order and architecture. Providing the continuity of the cultural and urban values is an essential matter, in order to create a healthy housing enviroment. At this piont the important issue was and still is to provide the consistence between the modern urban development and the traditional existence.

City of Izmir which is chosen as a case study under the scope of this paper, has an unique historical background comparing to Ottoman Istanbul or the republican Ankara which designates a distinctive architectural style. Depending on the variety of national and the religious characters of the people that constitutes the society of Izmir, a special architectural style has been developed through the Ottoman era. As time passed, ancient Izmir had been shaped in a different manner, regarding its ancient character and the historical urban landscape of Izmir has started to transform into an Ottoman city. Ancient ruins and areas have started to be used for different purposes, for example the ancient agora of the city was used as an Ottoman cemetery through centuries. By the foundation of the Turkish Republic, many diversities have occured both in social order and the architecture. The ancient character, followed by the colorful Ottoman multicultural identity suddenly had transformed into a modern city regarding the western canons. The transitions between these periods are prominent and examining the housing examples within the historical urban landscape can be considered as the best way to identify the transformation and changes that occured while forming Izmir's city identity and the architectural texture.

This paper aimes to analyze the architectural development within the historical landscape through the late ottoman and the modern era regarding remarkable housing examples. It is the utilization of the cultural values that enable the differentation of Izmir architecture in the global context. Unfortunately, many negative issues have been emerged through the transitions and especially within the period that started with modernisation. Modern Izmir has brought many problems including architectural facts. Depending on the abrubt changes that occured in society and economy, economical benifits had caused Izmir to loose many of its valuable vestiges. It is the responsibility of the new generation architects and people coming from other disciplines to adjust to harmony between the old and the new and create solutions in order to live in a better enviroment. In the case of Izmir, urban identity of the city is directy related with the historical urban landscape issue which depends on the prevailing values that concern the architectural developments within the remarkable housing examples. Addition to the chronologiclly reviewed housing examples, the current urban situation will be discussed through the paper. The present local and national legal applications of the authorities will be the medium displayed within the content of this paper. There will be critiques for the current system and proposals for the future responsibilities to balance the correct city image for Izmir in order to attract more tourists.

What is the problem in the case of Izmir that even it is a valuable ancient city, it can not be considered as a tourism center ? and what was the reason that Izmir could not succseeded for expo 2015 ?

Answers for such question will be also be given within the content of this paper.


REFERENCES

Ballice, G. (2005). Consideration of urban identity in the city of Izmir with particular reference to Housing Units. Ege Mimarlik, special issue for XXIInd World Congress of the UIA stanbul 2005, p.26- 29.

Ballice, G. (2006). Izmir'de 20. yy. The Analysis of Changes and Transformations of the Housing architecture of Izmir in 20th Century. Unpublished Ph.d. Thesis. Izmir: DEU Faculty of Architecture.


Coskunoglu. H. (2006). " Architect Melih Pekel", Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis. Istanbul: ITU Faculty of Architecture,

BALLICE, G., METE, H., (2007). "Izmir'de 20 yy. Konut Mimarisi ve Kent Kimlii" "Urban Identitiy, and Housing in Izmir through 29th century" , First National IAPS_CSBE Kent, Housing and Culture Symposium, Istanbul, presented paper at Bahçeehir University, stanbul, Turkey, December 2007.

BIBLIOGRAFÍA

Ballice, G. (2005). Consideration of urban identity in the city of Izmir with particular reference to Housing Units. Ege Mimarlik, special issue for XXIInd World Congress of the UIA stanbul 2005, p.26-29.

Ballice, G. (2006). Izmir'de 20. yy. The Analysis of Changes and Transformations of the Housing architecture of Izmir in 20th Century. Unpublished Ph.d. Thesis. Izmir: DEU Faculty of Architecture.


Coskunoglu. H. (2006). " Architect Melih Pekel", Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis. Istanbul: ITU Faculty of Architecture,

BALLICE, G., METE, H., (2007). "Izmir'de 20 yy. Konut Mimarisi ve Kent Kimlii" "Urban Identitiy, and Housing in Izmir through 29th century" , First National IAPS_CSBE Kent, Housing and Culture Symposium, Istanbul, presented paper at Bahçeehir University, stanbul, Turkey, December 2007.