User-Initiated Interventions in Rural Mass Housing: A Typological Study in Günyurdu Village
Abstract
In rural contexts, mass housing projects implemented following disasters or infrastructural developments, such as dam construction, often fail to accommodate the socio-cultural and spatial dynamics of rural life. This study examines the current status of 2006 TOKİ mass housing located in Günyurdu Village, Pazaryeri District, Bilecik, Türkiye, aiming to explore user-driven spatial interventions in response to standardized housing. Utilizing a post-occupancy evaluation framework and a mixed-methods approach, the research conducted visual analyses and observations to identify user-led modifications. Findings reveal that 42 of the 45 units underwent 204 distinct interventions, classified as: façade modifications, structural additions, exterior space alterations, roof adjustments, and spatial-functional changes. These interventions reflect residents’ efforts to align the built environment with their evolving needs, demonstrating the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all designs in rural settings. The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable rural development by offering insights into user-centered design and advocating for context-sensitive housing production strategies.
Keywords
Rural mass housing, physical interventions, post occupancy evaluation, TOKİ, Türkiye
Ethical Statement
The article complies with national and international research and publication ethics. Ethics committee approval was not required for the study.
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