Research Article

A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul

Volume: 16 Number: 2 June 15, 2023
TR EN

A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul

Abstract

Through examples from Beykoz, this study questions and investigates informality as a substantial phenomenon in the architectural and spatial formation of mosque buildings in Istanbul's informally developed neighbourhoods. The goal is to provide a new theoretical perspective on this legitimate yet illegal/informal form of socio-spatial practice in relation to the specific dynamics of Istanbul's informal urbanity and architectural production. As for methodology, following a theoretical and historical survey on the informal urbanity and procedures of mosque production in Turkey, the architectural and spatial features of three mosque complexes are analysed, evaluated, and discussed. The data was obtained through site surveys and interviews with the primary actors involved in their constructions. This data was processed into scaled drawings for a comparative analysis of their formal and spatial configurations. The study concentrated on gathering first-hand information from the producers of these mosques and the buildings themselves. The results showed that the builders, who were also the future users, followed an imprecise classical mosque scheme during their building processes. Their participatory and spontaneous construction processes also brought innovation in the spatial and formal organization, employing improvisation. The architectural and spatial aspects of these building complexes also presented considerable problems. Finally, the research aims to contribute new studies for developing new strategies and legal frames, engaging the will and the energy of the users to shape their social and physical environments in the urban context.

Keywords

References

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  5. Arefi, M. (2011b). Order in informal settlements: A case study of Pınar, Istanbul. Built Environment, 37(1), 42–56. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23289770
  6. Asan, H. S. & Ozsoy, A. (2018). The enduring influence of informality in Istanbul: Legalization of informal settlements and urban transformation. Berkeley Planning Journal, 30(1), 60–81. https://doi.org/10.5070/bp330137619
  7. Avcı, S. (1993). Beykoz İlçesi. In N. Akbayar, E. Işın, N. Sakaoğlu, O. Baydar, A. Batur, B. Tanman & S. Koz (Eds.), Dünden bugüne İstanbul ansiklopedisi (pp. 198–199). Türkiye Ekonomik ve Toplumsal Tarih Vakfı.
  8. Baharoglu, D. & Leitmann, J. (1998). Coping strategies for infrastructure: How Turkey’s spontaneous settlements operate in the absence of formal rules. Habitat International, 22(2), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0197-3975(97)00313-5

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architecture

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 15, 2023

Submission Date

April 13, 2022

Acceptance Date

February 24, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 16 Number: 2

APA
Odabaşı, M., & Akyürek, G. (2023). A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul. Kent Akademisi, 16(2), 792-811. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1103094
AMA
1.Odabaşı M, Akyürek G. A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul. Urban Academy. 2023;16(2):792-811. doi:10.35674/kent.1103094
Chicago
Odabaşı, Meryem, and Göksun Akyürek. 2023. “A ‘Classical’ Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul”. Kent Akademisi 16 (2): 792-811. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1103094.
EndNote
Odabaşı M, Akyürek G (June 1, 2023) A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul. Kent Akademisi 16 2 792–811.
IEEE
[1]M. Odabaşı and G. Akyürek, “A ‘Classical’ Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul”, Urban Academy, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 792–811, June 2023, doi: 10.35674/kent.1103094.
ISNAD
Odabaşı, Meryem - Akyürek, Göksun. “A ‘Classical’ Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul”. Kent Akademisi 16/2 (June 1, 2023): 792-811. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1103094.
JAMA
1.Odabaşı M, Akyürek G. A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul. Urban Academy. 2023;16:792–811.
MLA
Odabaşı, Meryem, and Göksun Akyürek. “A ‘Classical’ Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul”. Kent Akademisi, vol. 16, no. 2, June 2023, pp. 792-11, doi:10.35674/kent.1103094.
Vancouver
1.Meryem Odabaşı, Göksun Akyürek. A "Classical" Response to Contemporary Issues: Examples of Informal Mosque Production in Beykoz, Istanbul. Urban Academy. 2023 Jun. 1;16(2):792-811. doi:10.35674/kent.1103094

Cited By

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