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ÖgeCultural heritage circular governance for the integrated conservation of historic cities: The case of the Medina of Munis(Graduate School, 2024-07-19)Several factors overlap in making urban heritage conservation vulnerable in terms of long-term sustainability. Urban heritage is a non-renewable resource and a common good that is frequently under threat from globalization, development, demographic change, and economy, climate change impacts, and uncontrolled urbanization. The obsolescence of publicly owned buildings having great cultural significance is affecting historic cities/districts, and driving governments to opt for innovative heritage governance policies. Therefore, many initiatives were led in light of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach and the debate around a more sustainable future. However, these already established heritage conservation models are based on a single custodian model of cultural heritage management and financing. Several integrated conservation strategies achieved in a European context have long been the dominant governance models for cultural heritage assets. The Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation Program (ITUC) at ICCROM, is one example of integrated heritage conservation attempts. Open Heritage project (European Commission, Horizon 2020), The global cultural districts network, GCDN, the Historic Districts initiative, and COMUS (Community-Led Urban Strategies) are several other integrated conservation approaches led at a European level. These conservation principles have been evaluated as vulnerable and ineffective for long-term sustainability aims. Consequently, an alternative approach to cultural heritage governance has become an inquiry. Building on the principle of the prevalence of circular economy (CE) in the sustainable transition, the EU launched the CE-based Green Deal strategy to respond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU's 2050 target of 0% emissions. The initiative resulted in making the circularity concept go beyond the economic sphere and be adopted in cities helping them attain a long-lasting sustainable future. Thus, in line with the EU Green Deal, culture has been adopted as an entry point to reach Europe's 2050 aim. Consequently, the relation between CE and CH conservation strategies became an Up-to-date concern for local policymakers. This resulted in a shift from a 'governing for culture' approach to a 'governing through culture' approach and the initiation of the circular governance debate in heritage conservation. Pioneers in adopting a similar approach in heritage-led projects are the Regeneration and Optimization of Cultural Heritage in Creative and Knowledge Cities and the Circular Models Leveraging Investments in the Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse (CLIC) project. Within the abovementioned circular governance debate for more integrated heritage conservation, recent follow-ups of the application of the HUL recommendations identified gaps in implementing the approach in developing countries. One such example that is witnessing this gap is the Medina of Tunis. Situated right at the center of Tunisia's capital, and comprising all the features of a traditional Islamic city. It hosts around 700 UNESCO-registered historic monuments, distributed in seven areas, among which the most remarkable is Al-Zaytouna Mosque, situated right at its heart. After the Second World War, the Medina of Tunis was seen by its city managers as a squatter settlement area where residents were living in dangerous and dilapidated conditions. They had even seen it as an eyesore and an obstacle to their ambitious plans to beautify the newly annexed French city (la Ville Nouvelle). However, efforts made by the government alongside non-governmental organizations like the Association of Safeguarding of the Medina (ASM), contributed to sustaining its urban scenery over decades. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and it is still interwoven into the city until presently. However, the conservation policies for the Medina of Tunis need to deepen the relation between vertical governance in heritage institutions and the emergence of a collective democratization spirit in the place-making process. Despite improvements in the way heritage items have been reused in the Medina of Tunis, experts' perception witnesses that historic fabric is being lost in a hustle of lack of coordination and in the absence of a holistic view for heritage conservation. The following study assumes that a circular governance-based decision-making framework could be developed and applied to the integrated conservation approach for the Medina of Tunis historic city. It mainly aimed at defining a circular governance-based decision-making framework for the integrated conservation of historic cities/districts adopting the Medina of Tunis historic city as a test case. This aim was fulfilled through a multi-layered method, where the 'Theoretical model-building method, and 'the inductive category' Method were applied to define the theoretical framework for the integrated conservation of historic cities based on the circular governance approach. The first step for the development of the decision-making framework is achieved by defining five main indicators for circular governance of heritage assets. Then, the 'Expert Interview' method was adopted. Therein, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based coded, formalized survey was conducted to draw upon the cross-matching relationships between the defined circular governance indicators. Novelty applies not only to the AHP to formulate an expert opinion-based decision-making framework for the integrated conservation of historic cities/regions but also the methods adopted for selecting the circular governance indicators and sub-indicators necessary for the prioritization protocol. Finally, to support the agreement around the elaborated results, a case study encompassing an assessment of the conservation status of the Medina of Tunis was led. The results showed that when comparing the opinions of case-dependent and case-independent experts on decision-making concerning the circular governance indicators, the main prioritized indicator of circular governance is knowledge and data exchange. This stands for the importance of knowledge and data exchange for heritage-led urban regeneration and the effect of accurate redistribution of cultural activities in historic city centers via ICT tools and data sharing. After analyzing the AHP-based experts' opinion, a second Expert interview was conducted with case-related professionals. This survey led to putting forward a circular governance-based assessment of the heritage conservation for the Medina of Tunis. Therefore, it ended by defining the challenges and opportunities in the test case. The deficit in funding resources and the state subsidies, the lack of cooperation and coordination between the heritage conservation actors, the lacunas in the application texts for heritage conservation legislation, and the need for holistic long-term sustainability-based regeneration policies are among the most important problems repeatedly claimed by the experts. In light of the heritage conservation assessment (case study) and the in-depth expert interview results, a decision-making framework for a circular governance-based integrated conservation for the Medina of Tunis was suggested. Building on the results of the AHP-based surveys, recommendations inherent to the decision-making concerning the circular governance-based integrated conservation were listed and cross-matched to their respective indicators from the defined framework. Then a correlation is established between the problems of heritage conservation in the test case and the given recommendations for decision-making. Consequently, for the integrated conservation of the Medina of Tunis to be more circular-governance focused, the suggested policy instrument adopts five different phases, i.e. the Knowledge & Smart City, the City of Art & Culture, the Inclusive & Sustainable City, the Environment-Friendly City, and lastly the Secure City. All the phases of the recommended decision-making framework are interwoven following a circular process breaking with the conventional hierarchical systems for governing heritage assets. Since in the case of the Medina of Tunis, more importance has been given to knowledge and data exchange and the cultural circle, the main guidelines of the suggested instrument consider further focusing on smart technologies and data sharing particularly in tourism and cultural activities by strengthening the capacity to innovate through information and communication technology (ICT). Besides, for the Medina of Tunis to be more culture-focused, it is suggested to emphasize the city branding by determining themes for creative placemaking (vibrant nightlife), developing potential cultural events (ephemeral urbanism), and the performing of art/music centers, bookstore, and museums. This, however, does not deny the importance of each defined phase for the completion of the governance circle and the proactiveness of all the factors embedded in the decision-making framework. To end, the defined decision-making guideline calls for the interaction of at least more than two phases to solve each detected problem in the test case. This, once more, proves the correctness of the hypothesis defined at the beginning of the research, i.e., a circularity-based decision-making framework can be developed and applied to the integrated conservation approach for the Medina of Tunis historic city. In summation, circularity is more looked upon as a tool for limiting the impact of climate change only. The need for an integrative approach in heritage conservation is overlooked when it comes to applying a circular approach. Even though an application of the circular approach to heritage cities saw more appeal, there are still some cautions towards the monumental values of the built heritage. This study, however, contributed to showing that according to experts' opinion, a circular governance approach, inclusive of both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, is applicable for better-integrated conservation of historic cities. To end although circular governance is by definition a reflexive governance intended as a 'self-critical governance that analyses and monitors its own results' through continuous feedback processes, assessing the effectiveness of circular approach implementation for decisions on historic city conservation is currently an approach open for debate. To assess the overall effectiveness of the suggested decision-making chain for the integrated conservation of the Medina of Tunis, long-term monitoring of the suggested approach (and the indicators/sub-indicators included therein) is already in place for long-term assessment of the framework.
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ÖgeKamu konut yatırımlarının ekonomik ve mekânsal etkisi (TOKİ örneği)(Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, 2024-07-31)Konut piyasasını makroekonomik ve mikroekonomik açıdan önemli etkiler yaratması, arz ve talep olgusu ile değişik ve çok çeşitli özelliklere sahip olması nedenleriyle heterojen mal ve hizmetlerden oluşan bir piyasa olarak tanımlayabiliriz. Gayrimenkul ve konut piyasaları ülkeler, bölgeler ve bireyler için önemlidir. Konut piyasalarının karmaşıklıkları göz önüne alındığında, kamu kaynaklı toplu konut çalışmalarının geniş bir yelpazede farklı modeller kullanması şaşırtıcı değildir. Ülkemizde kentler arasında yaşanan göçler, afet riski, konut stokunun niteliği ve hane halkı oranınında küçülme olması gibi farklı nedenlerden dolayı konut ihtiyacı artmaktadır. Ayrıca, nitelikli, dayanıklı, ulaşılabilir, ekonomik olarak uygun, sosyal ve teknik hizmetleri sağlanmış konut ve konut çevrelerine de ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Dünyadaki örneklere benzer biçimde, ülkemizde de konut gereksinimini çözebilmek için kamu eliyle ya da desteğiyle en çok rağbet gören uygulama toplu konut şeklindeki üretim modeli olmuştur. 2002 yılı sonrasında kendisine yüklenen ekonmik ve hukuksal yetkilerle konut politikalarının şekillenmesinde en önemli aktör konumuna gelmiş olan TOKİ, 17 Mart 1984 tarihinde konut ile kentleşme problemlerine ilişkin çözüm üretmesi amacıyla özerk bir kamu kuruluşu olarak kurulmuştur. Neoliberal ekonomi programı kapsamında oluşturulan konut politikaları planlama süreci, tasarım, yapım süreci ve bunlarla ilgili mevzuat ile kentsel mekânı şekillendirmektedir. 2003 yılı itibariyle yerel yönetimlerin yetkisinde olması gereken kentleşme, kentsel mekânın geliştirilmesi gibi görevlerin TOKİ eliyle merkezi yönetimin üstlenmesi önemli bir politika değişikliğidir. Literatürde, kamu tarafından gerçekleştirilen ekonomik faaliyetlere yönelik kamu ve büyüme konulu tartışmalar genel olarak, kamusal yatırımlar ile ekonomik büyüme arasındaki ilişki üzerine odaklanan çalışmalar olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Barro (1991), kamu tüketim harcamalarının ekonomik büyüme ile ters yönlü bir ilişki içerisinde olduğunu belirtirken, Alexiou (2009) ise, ekonomik büyüme üzerinde kamu harcamalarının pozitif etkilerinin önemli düzeyde olduğunu belirtmektedir. Kamu yatırımlarının etkisi sonucu bölgenin ve kentin kalkınması, gelişimi olmakta ve bu durum kentlerin çekim merkezi olmasını sağlamaktadır. Kentsel alanlarda altyapı ve teknik donatılara, ulaşım ve haberleşme hizmetlerine, eğitim ve sağlık gibi sosyal donatılara erişim olanağı kentin yaşam kalitesinin artmasını sağlayacağından, bu durumun kentlerdeki göçün azalmasına da etki etmesi muhtemeldir. Bölgesel kalkınma, fiziksel sermaye, beşeri sermaye ve iş ortamı arasındaki etkileşime bağlıdır. Hangi faktörlerin bölgelerin daha üretken ve rekabetçi hale gelmesiyle sonuçlanacağını ayırt etmek, bölgelerin gelecekteki refahını sağlamak, yatırımları çekmek ve istihdamı sağlamak için çok önemlidir. Eğitim düzeyi önemli bir kolaylaştırıcı faktördür. Altyapıya yapılan kamu yatırımlarının bölgesel büyüme üzerinde olumlu bir etkisi varken eğitim düzeyi yüksek olduğunda bu durum daha güçlüdür. Bölgesel performanstaki belirleyici faktörlerin, politika oluşturma ve uygulamaya yönelik sektörler arası bir yaklaşımın önemini vurgulayarak karşılıklı olarak birbirini güçlendirdiği görülmektedir. Ayrıca beşeri sermayeye ve altyapıya yapılan yatırımın etkilerinin ortaya çıkmasının yaklaşık üç ila beş yıl olduğu belirtilmektedir (Url.1). Kamu yatırımlarının değerlendirilmesinde ekonomik analizlerin yanında, fiziksel, sosyal ve çevresel etkileri ile birlikte mekânsal boyutun da dikkate alınması gerekmektedir (Amidu ve diğ., 2016). Bu doğrultuda, her proje, politika, program, plan vb. süreçlerin bazı etkileri vardır. Bir eylem varsa, bu eylemin bazı sonuçlarının olacağı beklenmektedir. Bu sonuçlar etkiler olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Etkiler olumlu ya da negatif etkiler şeklinde ortaya çıkabilir, araştırmacılar bu açıdan gözlemler, analiz ederek değerlendirmekte ve sonuçları yorumlamaktadır. Kentlerin büyümesi ile konut ve altyapı gereksinimi, inşaat sektörünün faaliyetleri için talep artışı yaratmaktadır. İnşaat yatırımlarının kültürel, ekonomik, sosyal ve fiziksel boyutları ile kentlerin gelişimine katkı sunduğunu gösteren araştırmalar mevcuttur. Konut üretimi aynı zamanda inşaat sektörü ve konut piyasası başlıkları altında yer almaktadır. Konutun üretimi, hem kamu hem özel sektör aracılığıyla yapılabilmekte olup, nitelik ve yapım biçimleri ülkelerin politikalarına göre şekillenmektedir. İnsan yaşamında en geniş ve yoğun kullanılan konut, farklı disiplinlerin de araştırma konularından birisidir. Bu çalışmada, kamu konut yatırımı olarak konut üretiminin illerdeki ekonomik ve mekânsal etkisinin 2002 yılından sonraki süreçte TOKİ üzerinden incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu çalışma ile, Türkiye'nin özellikle 2004-2018 döneminde kamu eliyle yürütülen konut ve konut yerleşimleri politikaları doğrultusunda uygulamaya geçen kamu kaynaklı büyük konut yatırımlarının iller üzerindeki etkisi makro, mezo ve mikro seviyede analiz edilerek, ekonomik ve mekânsal etkilerinin anlaşılması hedeflenmektedir. Araştırma örneklemi, 2004-2018 dönemi için makro düzeyde Türkiye'nin 81 ilini, mezo düzeyde Türkiye il gruplarına kent nüfusları üzerinden Zipf Kanunu kapsamında çerçevesinde belirlenen büyükşehir olmayan iller arasında seçilen 14 ili, mikro seviyede Erzincan Merkez ilçe üzerinde yapılan çalışmaları kapsamaktadır. Bu tez çalışmasında, makro düzeyde 81 ilde TOKİ konut yatırımının ekonomik ve mekânsal etkisi panel veri ile regresyon analizi yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Çalışmadaki bazı bulgulara göre, kamu yatırımlarının analize dahil edilen illerin gayri safi yurtiçi hâsılalarının üzerinde anlamlı etkileri olduğu, TOKİ'nin ise etkisinin olmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Mezo düzeyde yapılan analiz sonucundaki araştırma bulguları, kamu konut yatırımı olarak TOKİ'nin kentlerin ekonomik kalkınmasına bir etkisi olmadığını göstermektedir. Mikro seviyede ise, TOKİ'nin incelenen bölge olan Erzincan Merkez ilçesinde sadece deprem, afet ya da sosyal konut uygulaması sağladığı, ekonomik anlamda doğrudan etkisinin olmadığı ve mekânsal olarak da kentin gelişimine olumlu olduğu kadar olumsuz etkiler de yarattığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
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ÖgeA decolonial analysis of urban and regional planning education in the global south(Graduate School, 2024-11-04)Through a mixed-methods approach, this thesis compares how the higher education institutions in the Global South conceptualize and act on the decolonization of urban planning education. The main research question is: How do scholars in the Global South perceive and conceptualize the decolonization of urban planning education? The questions to investigate the issues further are as follows: What obstacles and limitations hinder the decolonizing efforts from succeeding in urban planning education? What methodologies do the Global South scholars use to decolonize the urban planning education curriculum in their contexts? What decolonizing methodologies can Turkish planning schools create to encourage local knowledge generation and resist the domination of Eurocentric norms? To answer this question, 17 scholars from 11 countries in the Global South and six former and current members of the Turkish Planning Schools' Association were interviewed. Additionally, all published documents by the association were analyzed. The thesis followed a Constructivist Grounded theory (CGT) methodology as its primary approach and supported it with additional quantitative analyses of the collected documents. Interestingly, the Global South categorization and the inclusion of Türkiye were also received with surprise by many. CGT theoretical coding also revealed differences in conceptualizing and approaching the decolonization phenomenon. The Global South scholars' narration and approach showed a more optimistic and critical arc toward urban planning education and practice, starting with contemplation, continuing with expressing concern about the future of the profession, but then concluding with a new reality of constructing practices and insurgent actions. However, Türkiye followed a more hesitant arc, starting with hesitation, continuing with contemplation with little critical engagement, and ending with a narrative of absence. Significantly few scholars addressed the need to generate local knowledge and radical curriculum change. Instead, they were concerned about the lack of resources across universities and departments regarding place, equipment, and teaching faculty. The results showed several overlaps between countries in terms of challenges and issues regarding education and urban planning practice. The categorical findings of this thesis show that in all interviewed institutions, there are problems concerning how planners are trained and equipped to address issues such as population increase, climate change, land ownership and housing, sustainable and affordable transport, and urban poverty.
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ÖgeGeography of social networks: The case of creative industries in Tomtom Neighborhood(Graduate School, 2023-11-27)The emergence of the "creative industries" paradigm represents a recent and noteworthy advancement within urban studies. These sectors have garnered pervasive global attention, functioning across national, regional, and urban scales. Their prominence is attributable to their instrumental role in shaping urban policies and fueling economic expansion. Beyond their mere economic contributions, creative industries have garnered recognition for their capacity to yield social and cultural dividends. Their impact on shaping urban identities and prominence contributes to the augmentation of social cohesion, spurring innovation, and nurturing a sense of place. The flourishing of creative industries necessitates an environment conducive to their growth, characterized by spatial proximity and robust interconnections that facilitate the exchange of information. As a result, the evolution of creative industries becomes intrinsically linked to the spatial dynamics of urban territories, often characterized by inclinations toward agglomeration and clustering. This phenomenon leads to the concentration of creative industries within specific locales, fostering collaborative networks and the reciprocal sharing of resources. This clustering emerges as pivotal to the success of creative industries, promoting the dissemination of knowledge, ideation, and expertise, thus catalyzing heightened innovation and productivity. To grasp comprehensively the import of creative industries in the context of urban development, a comprehensive exploration into the underlying social and cultural catalysts propelling their expansion is imperative. The emergence of social networks within creative industries serves as a linchpin for their triumph, facilitating partnerships, knowledge diffusion, and resource exchange. Organic and informal networks often spontaneously emerge through interactions within creative clusters, although their measurement and analysis pose challenges. Nevertheless, these networks exert a pivotal influence in shaping the dynamics of creative industries and the urban milieu they inhabit. The "creative industries" framework has become a cornerstone of contemporary urban development strategies. The efficacy of these industries hinges on the intricate interplay between spatial and social dynamics within urban contexts, necessitating an environment that fosters spatial proximity, robust interconnections, and the transfer of knowledge. Consequently, unraveling the intricate interrelationship between creative industries, urban development, and the socio-cultural matrix is paramount for urban scholars, planners, and policymakers dedicated to advancing sustainable and inclusive urban progress. The global prominence of creative industries has assumed heightened significance since the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development deliberations in 2004. This momentum has been further accentuated by UNESCO's establishment of the Creative Cities Network during the same year. The central mission of this network is to fortify creative industries at local and international levels through city collaborations and the exchange of insights and experiences. Istanbul's accession to this network in 2017, leveraging its rich cultural heritage, burgeoning design sector, the craft industry, and networks of creative production, presents a promising opportunity for the city to actively participate in burgeoning global networks actively, thereby reinforcing Turkey's ongoing process of globalization. However, current examinations of Istanbul's creative industries have yet to yield a comprehensive network structure encompassing the entirety of the urban expanse. The research endeavors to delve into the structural dynamics of these sectors and the intricate nexus of relationships binding their constituents. A pivotal focal point of analysis rests within the interactions among professionals within creative industries, emphasizing their social affiliations and networks. This investigative inquiry is facilitated through social network analysis, further enriched by integrating geographic data into social network visualizations through software platforms. Through this analytical framework, the research extends its examination to encompass the spatial distribution of these networks. The case study centered upon the Tomtom neighborhood assumes the role of a pivotal axis, encompassing in-depth interviews with a spectrum of creative practitioners spanning disciplines such as architecture, ceramics, fashion design, antiquities, and fine arts. The research further engages with the multifaceted challenges the creative industries encounter in their pursuit of sustainable growth and development. The meticulous examination of the profound impact wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic upon these creative sectors is of particular significance, a facet thoroughly scrutinized during the comprehensive field study. The ramifications of the pandemic on the creative industries have catalyzed a substantial focus on assessing the industry's capacity for resilience and adaptability in the face of unprecedented challenges. The thesis is structured across six chapters, each contributing to an enriched comprehension of the subject matter. Chapter 1 serves as a cornerstone by introducing the research questions, methodology, and hypotheses. This chapter lays the groundwork for the entire thesis, delineating a roadmap that guides the subsequent chapters toward deeper insights. Chapter 2 encompasses an exhaustive review of pertinent literature, centering around creative industries and their interrelationship with social networks. This section establishes a theoretical framework by dissecting definitions of creative industries and categorizations of networks within this domain. Furthermore, it delves into the intricate interplay between geography and networks within creative industries. Following the comprehensive literature review, this chapter explores Istanbul's identity as a "City of Design." It scrutinizes the global interpretations of creative cities and evaluates Istanbul's role within the creative cities network. Chapter 3 meticulously outlines the methodology employed to delineate the geographic extent of social networks and construct social network visualizations. This chapter concurrently introduces the case study of the Beyoğlu district and its focal point, the Tomtom neighborhood. This section not only provides a background of the locale but also assesses its evolving dynamics and developmental trajectory. This chapter systematically dissects the neighborhood's intrinsic significance within Istanbul's creative industries ecosystem by employing primary and secondary sources. Chapter 4 constitutes a pivotal phase, engaging in-depth interviews, graphical representations, and cartographic depictions to illuminate the interplay between social networks and the geographical fabric of creative industries within the Tomtom neighborhood. Addressing the core research questions of the study, "How do social networks spread geographically?" and "Is there a geographical trace of social networks?" – this chapter adds depth to the analytical discourse. In Chapter 5, the focus shifts to policy developments for the Tomtom neighborhood. It identifies crucial aspects such as ownership, sustainable financial support, and resilience that are integral to the holistic growth of the neighborhood. The concluding chapter encapsulates the findings in a comprehensive overview, acknowledging the study's limitations and furnishing recommendations for future research trajectories. Ultimately, the thesis reiterates its hypothesis, asserting that social networks exert discernible effects on the spatial configuration of creative industries in Istanbul while also acknowledging the reciprocal dynamic – the influence of the geographical distribution of creative industries on their respective social networks. In summation, by harmonizing social network analysis with geospatial location data and integrating it within a comprehensive framework of interviews with creative professionals, this study bestows a comprehensive understanding of the spatial manifestation of social networks within the realm of Istanbul's creative industries. The insights engendered by this study possess the potential to catalyze the formulation of policies aimed at nurturing the burgeoning and sustainable trajectory of Istanbul's creative industries.
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ÖgeRe-thinking the cities in the digital era: An urban living lab concept(Graduate School, 2025-12-25)Urban technologies and smart city applications have ushered in a new era in urban planning, characterized by a transformation in the structure and functioning of cities due to the unprecedented flow and distribution of information. As cities continue to experience rapid urbanization and confront complex challenges, it is imperative to adopt innovative approaches that can effectively manage urban transformation while promoting inclusivity and sustainability. In this regard, urban living labs (ULLs) have emerged as dynamic and transformative platforms that offer promising solutions for addressing urban governance and landscape transformation challenges. The concept of ULLs represents a paradigm shift in urban planning and governance, emphasizing the importance of participatory processes, co-creation, and the integration of diverse stakeholders. These living labs provide a collaborative space where urban actors, including citizens, researchers, policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations, can come together to collectively work on urban projects, test innovative ideas, and find sustainable solutions. By fostering collaboration and experimentation, ULLs have the potential to reshape the way cities are governed and transform the urban landscape. In the Turkish context, with its prominent urbanization and rapid development, the exploration of ULLs and their potential to address urban governance and landscape transformation challenges holds particular significance. Turkiye, with its diverse urban landscape and complex governance structures, offers a unique setting to study the dynamics and effectiveness of ULLs in driving sustainable urban development. As cities in Turkiye grapple with issues such as the pressure of mega projects, intense urbanization, and the need to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis, the role of ULLs becomes even more crucial. These labs provide an opportunity to address the poor quality of urban systems, the loss of landscape value, and the fragmented management of landscapes by various units. The exploration of ULLs in the Turkish context can shed light on how these platforms can effectively engage local governments, researchers, communities, and other stakeholders in finding innovative and sustainable solutions to complex urban challenges. The unique characteristics of Turkiye's urban landscape and governance systems present an excellent opportunity for examining the dynamics of ULLs and their potential impact on urban governance. By studying the Turkish case, we can gain valuable insights into the functioning, successes, and limitations of ULLs in addressing urban governance and landscape transformation challenges. This research aims to contribute to the existing knowledge on urban governance and ULLs by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the Turkish case, with a specific focus on Istanbul. Istanbul, as a global economic and technological center, faces significant urban challenges, including the pressure of mega projects, intense urbanization, and the need to combat climate change and adapt to global crises. These challenges have resulted in the degradation of green systems, loss of landscape value, and the fragmentation of landscape management responsibilities among different units. The focus of this thesis is to explore and analyze key aspects of urban planning and governance in the context of a new era characterized by innovation, transformation, and the emergence of urban living labs (ULLs). The thesis is divided into four sections (new planning perspective, new actor definition, new ULL model creation, and success criteria creation), each addressing specific research objectives and analysis processes. In the first section, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine various topics such as innovation, transformation, urban governance, smart cities, and ULLs. This review sets the foundation for understanding the emergence of a new era in urban planning, characterized by experimental governance and the rise of ULLs as transformative platforms. It also highlighted the growing importance of the lab concept as a means to foster innovation and address complex urban challenges. The second section aims to identify new urban actors. In the this chapter, the research is aimed to determine the new actors in a new era in the process of transformation while interviewing two ULLs (Basaksehir Living Lab and Eskisehir Living Lab) in Turkiye. The two labs are compared, and project contents, participant numbers, and their roles are determined through interviews. Through interviews, decision-making, actualization, collaboration, and participation, processes were established. Moreover, analysis shows that the technological transformation process is currently in the digital environment rather than redound on the spatial environment in Turkiye. While ULLs provide opportunities to adapt to technology, they have not become widespread or have not been identified yet to show limitations in cooperation and application. As a result, a new actor definition is proposed while also addressing the shortcomings of the labs in Turkiye. The third section shifts the focus to Istanbul, where a reading and research process is undertaken to propose a new model that addresses the deficiencies in the planning system and addresses the complex landscape transformation challenges faced by the city. The analysis includes a legal and administrative examination of Istanbul's landscape transformation, revealing the complexities and confusion of authority within the city. Istanbul, being an economy and technology center facing intense urbanization and the pressures of mega projects, grapples with issues such as the degradation of green systems and the loss of landscape value. These challenges, along with the global crises of climate change, rapid urbanization, and population growth highlight the need to reconsider urban governance and the role of local government in managing landscape transformation. The research aims to create/recommend a new model that strengthens the collaboration between local governments and ULLs, focusing on Istanbul's specific governance problems. Understanding the intricate governance system requires defining the urban landscape through effective management patterns. The use of ULL indicators becomes crucial in obtaining immediate solutions to technological changes, urban crises, and other pressing problems. This section also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and approaching lab success with a fresh perspective in the Turkish context. The fourth and final section investigates the success criteria of ULLs in Turkiye, with a particular focus on Basaksehir Living Lab, Bodrum Living Lab, and Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA). Through interviews with key stakeholders associated with these labs, the research aims to uncover the factors contributing to their success. The findings highlight distinct characteristics and approaches among the labs, with Basaksehir LL evolving from providing environmental and educational programs to conducting research and user-oriented activities, collaborating with academic partners, and establishing an impact evaluation system. Bodrum LL, on the other hand, focuses on problem-solving initiatives, while IPA acts as an environment provider and engages in concept-driven projects. The conclusions drawn from this analysis emphasize the need for further examination of factors such as openness, user empowerment, and transferability when assessing the success of ULLs. It also acknowledges limitations, including varying participant sizes, preferences, and diverse collaboration dynamics, which should be taken into account in future research and practice. In summary, the research seeks to advance our understanding of ULLs and their potential in addressing urban governance challenges in the Turkish context. By addressing the identified research objectives and conducting comprehensive analysis, it provides valuable insights into the new planning perspective, actor definition, ULL model creation, and success criteria. By investigating the specificities of Istanbul's governance problems and the complexities of landscape transformation, we can propose a new model that strengthens the cooperation between local governments and ULLs. Moreover, the research emphasizes the importance of defining and managing the urban landscape in order to comprehend the intricate governance system and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the exploration of ULLs, the research aims to identify key success criteria, challenges, and opportunities, providing valuable insights for both scholarly research and practical urban governance practices. The findings and recommendations put forward in the dissertation have implications for both scholarly research and practical urban governance, offering opportunities for further exploration and the development of innovative solutions to address urban challenges and achieve the SDGs.