Chapter 2: Visioning

Chapter 2

Attempt to Enrich the Vision and Represent the Chamber

The contents in Mimarlık are observed as they are presented with a flexible range of instruments; the collection of articles form many dialogues towards different target audiences and are written for different intentions. In this part, within the examples we frame how these dynamics combine together under mutual aims.

chapter 2: visioning aim: constructive suggestion

Mimarlık editorial mirrors the chamber professionals’ comments and reviews upon the debated issues. The suggestions are mostly included in project reviews, theoretical columns and conclusions in the reports, the authors often present their foresights, precaution advises, feasible solutions for the problems or vision expressions through case study references.

For instance, in the previous chapter we mentioned an article about industrialization, the chamber suggests and offers solutions to prevent the pointed problem of foregin dependency; “The change in this reverse functioning mechanism can be achieved with the decision of national forces to establish and develop a real industrialization based on machinery, making machinery industry. However, such an industrialization can survive on its own. The market of international financial capital can be avoided. As a consequence industrialization in economics and social aspects can be fused with the national structure.”. 20

Secondly, since we present the reported urban strategy issues of Istanbul from the perspective of the chamber branch, here we introduce the same article to clarify how the magazine contributes to fix the problematic situation of Istanbul. The magazine is in the role of becoming the voice of Istanbul professionals in the chamber. In their report in issue 8, they explain the possible solutions and precautions that could save the difficult situation of urban renewal planning that the city encounters. Here are the solutions’ titles; 21 1/ Political precautions 2/ Providing Public Support 3/ Taking advantage of present opportunities 4/ Planning precautions 5/ Emergent precautions

Likewise, in the city planning report about Mersin, Mimarlik reflects the suggestions on improving the administrative qualifications of the municipalities. These comments can be seen as powerful guides to fix the unqualified actions that are observed in the executive groups of authorities. Here are some strong suggestions mentioned; “-The technical staff of the municipality should once again be regulated, an architect and an engineer should be appointed by the ministry. -An independent ‘directorate of reconstruction’ must be established independent from the ‘municipality directorate science’ and an architect should be brought to this directorate. -City road, water, sewerage and electricity network projects should be done immediately, developments should be planned. -There should be a competition project for the filled port area and the region should be developed. -Green areas in the city should be protected. -Limitations on floor height should be regulated. -In addition if the municipality continues its incorrect attitude, the freelance architects will go on strike, not to draw projects against the municipality in Mersin.” 22

20 the Chamber of Architects, “Planning and Industrialization”, Mimarlik, 1972, issue 109 21 the Chamber of Architects Istanbul Branch, “Urban Renewal of Istanbul Report”, Mimarlik, 1964, issue 8 22 the Chamber of Architects, “Events and Reflections”, Mimarlik, 1971, issue 97

In the meantime, Mimarlık is an important source for the architecture and construction sector during that period in terms of keeping updated of recent technological trends. Many trends and new modalities are presented and instructed in the articles.

For instance, in the article of Mustafa Gurbuz, he informs the latest trend of rapid construction by applying prefabricated housing units. 23 He explains that for the prefabrication many factories operate in France, the Netherlands and other countries, and new factories are established in the United German Republic, Argentina and Africa. Gurbuz includes in the article a general explanation of what this ready construction method is, the description of construction elements and the efficiency of this manufacturing. As understood, during that time this rapid innovation can help the problem of social housing and as mentioned all countries that want to deal with the slums and residential problems also include element factories in the future economic plan circuits. Therefore while the nation deals with the demand of social housing, Mimarlik tries to inform the construction executors that there are emerging technologies for faster results.

[Facade Machine] “Construction by Prefabrication”, issue 26

23 Mustafa Gurbuz, “Construction by Prefabrication”, Mimarlik, 1965, issue 26

chapter 2: visioning aim: criticism

As the urban planning executors often neglect their criticism, we interpret this intention is performed very objectively and rationally to catch their glance. In the reference from the previous chapter, the chamber points out the unrecognized results of a constructed underpass in İstanbul, and explains these errors done by the executors that conflicts with the city’s original urban plan in force. With these critics through Mimarlik, the chamber intends to reach the authorities to make them understand how their unplanned and unorganized investments ruin the urban development efforts and even worsen the situation. They explain as the following;

“The Chamber of Architects Istanbul Branch has decided to announce to the public, through the Mimarlık, the monuments of the chaos we are in, in order to reveal this situation against the public. We present for your information about the purpose, application principles and application of the two sub-passages that are applied with this kind of application.

1/ As seen in the site plan, the underpass that is still being constructed is on one side of the future road according to the city plan in force. For this reason, the building will be on it in the future and it will not be possible to use it as a passage. 2/ The intersection of vehicle traffic could not be prevented because the order being applied was incorrect. Hence, traffic will stop from time to time and pedestrians will try to cross the road when the car traffic stops and disrupt the situation. 3/ Since the pedestrian traffic is not well organized, especially where the underpass exits are located, the public transportation will not meet the need during the scheduled hours when the passengers are waiting and the public will generally flood to the traffic routes. 4/ Since sufficient studies and projects have not been done, the ground has to be filled and the bridge has to be raised. So the cost has increased. In the future, many more disadvantages such as disruption of traffic, rainwater flooding to the underpass and air drafts will also occur over time.” 24

24 the Chamber of Architects Istanbul Branch, “Unplanned Investments in the Planned Development Period: Underpasses”, Mimarlik, 1964, issue 12

Plan of the Karakoy underpass that is contrary with the urban planning in force “Unplanned Investments in the Planned Development Period: Underpasses”, issue 12

[Which Project is going to be applied?] “Unplanned Investments in the Planned Development Period: Underpasses”, issue 12

chapter 2: visioning aim: discourse

Not usually seen in the architectural magazines, Mimarlik shows its unique interaction with its audience by publishing the response letters and opinion stances while representing the chamber. In issue 24, an urban implementation issue is expanded with the request of Darica county residents. 25 According to the article, a decent bay named Balyanoz was actually preserved for touristic urban attraction point, recently the bay was re-appointed as a private shipyard place. The residents in the county are upset with this change and apply to the Chamber of Architects to inform them on the subject. By publishing this article, the chamber together with the Master Planning commission, states their opinion and explains that they do not approve this status change. The bay is devoted for tourism according to the planning laws in force, therefore shipyard facilities are not legally allowed to be built on this site.

When observed from this direct dialogue of the magazine and the county residents, we can comment that Mimarlik seems to be well integrated with the society; does not serve only for the sector professionals but also the citizens such as Darica residents who want to be informed for their worries considering their homeland. On the other hand, by informing the audience of the preserved laws of master planning, after the clarification of Mimarlik the land-use debate is closed to any implementation.

Furthermore, the interaction is also seen in the encouraging section for a campaign during the early 70s. The campaign is called “Let’s hold on to our own strength”, it aims to gather reaction upon the foreign implementations that could damage the urban environment and could lead to more unwanted incidents. 26

25 the Chamber of Architects Istanbul Branch, “The Issue of Balyanoz Bay”, Mimarlik, 1965, issue 24 26 Mimarlik editorial, “Let’s hold on to our own strength”, Mimarlik, 1972, issue 109

Balyanoz Bay, Darica “The Issue of Balyanoz Bay”, issue 24

[campaign: let’s hold on to our own strength]

[ citizen letter: “..I will have a legal situation with Yasar Holding inc.; but they can not practice in Turkey of foreign project offices; I respectfully ask the announcement to be made for the Holding.]

[Cesme Holiday Village is being constructed to the Danish ‘Scandinavian Planning and Development Association’ Firm]

citizen letter: “..I will have a legal situation with Yasar Holding inc.; but they can not practice in Turkey of foreign project offices; I respectfully ask the announcement to be made for the Holding.]

[foreign companies made 5 billion profits] [only foreign investors are allowed to join the national bid] [here is another foreign feasibility report for a national region]

[After the Opera Junction, the Kizilay Palace is also being built by Italians]