Retooling the architecture

Ankara Dikmen Valley

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This project primarily describes the urban transformation process of Dikmen Valley, one of Ankara’s critical regions. Through analysis, I show how change took place over the years. Dikmen Valley of the 1930s gradually came into view with all its natural beauty. However, since the 1970s, construction in the valley has accelerated due to the increasing population and the need for urbanization. Construction increased further in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the loss of green areas in Dikmen Valley, which transformed into a concrete-heavy landscape. By 2005, the valley had become an entirely urban area. In this process, we can observe visually how the valley loses its natural state and becomes more concrete. The booklet, which contains essential information on this subject, attempts to answer how urban transformation projects can be carried out more sustainably and what should be considered.

 

My conclusions are that decisions should be made together with people living in urban transformation areas, local identity should be preserved, sustainable living spaces should be built, social justice should not be forgotten, long-term planning should be done, construction should be done together with people living in urban transformation areas to increase the workforce, small-scale buildings should be built, and the local economy must be protected.