Planned development versus unplanned change: The effects on urban planning in Turkey

Abstract

Considering the planning systems introduced by different schools throughout the world, it can be seen that the flexible and participative approaches gained importance when compared to the traditional approaches, and that different implementation types mediating these approaches are being developed in the new order. In the master plan experience of Turkey, where the traditional approach plays dominant role in practice, the local governments are given the authority of making master plan amendments, as well as the right to prepare the plan itself. But, this practice enabled for the sake of public interest has become one of the frequently used planning instruments; it moved away of urban plan and a new challenge resulting in the rent has come to the forefront.Within the scope of this study, Kayseri province becoming prominent during the planned development of Turkey since the declaration of Republic was chosen. Within this context, the amendments made to actual master plan of Kayseri province since 2006 until 2016 were taken into consideration by their subjects, and the maps examining the plan amendments were prepared by using geographical information system. In conclusion, it was determined that the specific micro amendments deteriorated the holistic planning decisions made at the beginning, and that this deterioration mainly focused on the public spaces. It was observed that, independently from the urban plan, the urban development was shaped with the focus on rent and in parallel with the private purposes. This is on the contrary with sustainable urban land management approaches.