Form Follows Numbers: The Dual Axis of Numerical Sovereignty in the Dictation of Urban Space and Architectural Form

Abstract

Amaç – Bu çalışma, modernist “biçim işlevi izler” aksiyomuna karşı, belirli sayısal değerlerin çağdaş kent morfolojisini ve anıtsal mimariyi nasıl dikte ettiğini açıklayan “Biçim Sayıları İzler” (FFN) paradigmasını önermektedir. Yöntem – Sayısal egemenlik, soyut mekânın üretimi ve mimari gösterge-değeri üzerine kurulu karşılaştırmalı çoklu-vaka analiziyle, sayısal metriklerin yapısal ve ekonomik rasyonaliteleri aştığı vakalar egemen ve hegemonik gücün çift ekseninde incelenmektedir. Bulgular – Sayılar; siyasi hafızayı, demografik orantısallığı ve kozmik uyumu somutlaştıran egemen mekânsal göstergeler olarak işler. Türkiye rasyonel-bürokratik ekseni, Doğu Asya ve küresel örnekler ise kültürel-kozmolojik ekseni temsil eder. Sonuç – Sayısal dikte, işlevselciliği tümüyle geçersiz kılmaktan çok, işlevselci pragmatizmin sembolik iletişim uğruna bilinçli olarak aşıldığı özgün bir morfolojik durumdur. Anahtar Kelimeler: Biçim Sayıları İzler (FFN), Sayısal Egemenlik, Mekânsal Gösterge, Anıtsallık, Mekânsallaşma. JEL Kodları: R14, R52, Z13

Keywords

• Biçim Sayıları İzler (FFN)
• Sayısal Egemenlik
• Mekânsal Gösterge
• Anıtsallık
• Mekânsallaşma.

Supporting Institution

The single author conducted all stages of the study (contribution rate 100%).

Ethical Statement

This study did not require ethics committee approval; the relevant information should be confirmed by the author(s). In case of detection of a contrary situation, the Journal of Social Economic Research has no responsibility and all responsibility belongs to the author(s) of the study.

Form Follows Numbers: The Dual Axis of Numerical Sovereignty in the Dictation of Urban Space and Architectural Form

Abstract

Purpose – This study challenges the modernist axiom “form follows function” by introducing “Form Follows Numbers” (FFN), a paradigm that explains how specific numerical values dictate contemporary urban morphology and monumental architecture. Methodology – Drawing on numerical sovereignty, the production of abstract space, and architectural sign-value, the study uses a comparative multiple-case analysis to examine instances in which numerical metrics override structural and economic rationalities, arranging them along a dual axis of sovereign and hegemonic power. Findings – Numbers function as sovereign spatial signifiers that materialise political memory, demographic proportionality, and cosmic harmony. Turkey exemplifies the rational-bureaucratic axis, whereas East Asian and global cases reveal the cultural-cosmological axis. Conclusions – Rather than universally replacing functionalism, the numerical dictation of form is a specialised morphological condition in which functionalist pragmatism is deliberately set aside in favour of symbolic communication. Keywords: Form Follows Numbers (FFN), Numerical Sovereignty, Spatial Signifier, Monumentality, Spatialisation. JEL Codes: R14, R52, Z13

Keywords

• Form Follows Numbers (FFN)
• Numerical Sovereignty
• Spatial Signifier
• Monumentality
• Spatialisation.

Supporting Institution

The single author conducted all stages of the study (contribution rate 100%).

Ethical Statement

This study did not require ethics committee approval; the relevant information should be confirmed by the author(s). In case of detection of a contrary situation, the Journal of Social Economic Research has no responsibility and all responsibility belongs to the author(s) of the study.

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