A Comparative Study of Tactical Urbanism Practices Applied in Lost Spaces
Abstract
Today, cities, as dynamic, complex, and fragmented spaces, present various urban problems. Projects proposed through traditional planning approaches are inadequate in solving urban problems because they are resistant to change, have slow-moving processes, and are difficult and costly to remove when they fail to meet user needs. Therefore, tactical urbanism, one of the emerging new planning approaches, emerges as an approach that advocates site-specific and pinpointed methods, emphasizes low cost and low risk, and incorporates flexible and rapid interventions that adapt to change. This study aims to propose solutions for areas defined as "lost space" by utilizing these practices. The issue of reclaiming lost space, an urban problem to which tactical urbanism provides applications, has gained importance due to the density, congestion, and waste of urban land in today's cities. It is also clear that these areas pose problems such as pollution, neglect, urban disconnection, insecurity, and idleness. This study examines lost spaces through a comparative analysis of national and international examples using the tactical urbanism approach. The study determined that tactical urbanism practices are implemented globally at many different scales and functions, and that stakeholder diversity is equally high. The study concluded that tactical urbanism practices are an effective solution for lost spaces. Furthermore, the Kadıköy examples were found to be successful compared to their international counterparts due to their low cost and diversity in terms of participation. However, they were found to be inadequate in terms of functional diversity and flexible spatial production methods.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Adams, E. (n.d.). Council of gardeners: Green guerillas. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.greenguerillas.org/council-of-gardeners
- ArchDaily. (2021). Open-air library / Karo Architekten. https://www.archdaily.com/39417/open-air-library-karo-architekten
- Arkitera. (2020). Kalamış Parkı kolektif dönüşüm projesi. https://www.arkitera.com/proje/kalamis-parki-kolektif-donusum-projesi/
- Aydın, A. (2019). Anomalous /guerrilla gardening as a local participation method. Idealkent, 10(27), 714–732. https://doi.org/10.31198/IDEALKENT.591666
- Berger, A. (2006). Drosscape: Wasting land urban America. Princeton Architectural Press. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/yildiz/detail.action?docID=3387358
- BMW Guggenheim Lab. (n.d.). What is the lab. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from http://www.bmwguggenheimlab.org/what-is-the-lab
- Bowman, A., & Pagano, M. A. (2004). Terra incognita: Vacant land and urban strategies. Georgetown University Press. https://books.google.com/books?id=ZblEWrbwa_EC
- Boz, G. E. (2016). An evaluation of urban vacant space through the temporary use approach: A case study of Kadiköy, yeldeğirmeni [Master’s thesis, Istanbul Technical University]. https://polen.itu.edu.tr/bitstreams/4b942ecc-879a-4cec-a28f-3b18f9d82805/download
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Architectural Design
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
April 19, 2026
Submission Date
August 18, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 2