Urban acupuncture as a strategic method to improve cities in terms of blue-green infrastructure

Abstract

In developing cities, the growth of building areas leads to changes in the urban fabric and a decrease or threat to the availability of open spaces, a basic necessity for living. Urban form greatly influences individuals' way of life and is therefore related to ecological, economic, and social issues. In contemporary cities, urban expansion occurs through the development of public spaces, both on the periphery and within the interior. To address the overdevelopment and degradation of public spaces by building stock, research into sustainable and circular space production and development of models is necessary. The complexity of cities' growth impacts the design of open spaces, affecting the quality of life. With an increase in complex parameters, open space design becomes increasingly important in maintaining or improving the quality of open spaces in the face of infrastructure changes and complex relationships. The concept of urban acupuncture was first put forward in the 1960s and has since been applied in various physical forms. The potential for its use in improving cities is widely recognized, especially in light of the numerous actors and problems that exist in urban environments and make it difficult to implement large-scale improvement projects. The approach of urban acupuncture offers a solution-oriented, immediate intervention method to address these challenges. This research aims to explore the full potential of urban acupuncture as an innovative and strategic method for enhancing cities. The focus is on investigating the benefits of combining urban acupuncture with landscape design to improve both the blue-green infrastructure and social context of cities. The study aims to analyze the improvement potential of blue-green infrastructure in urban areas through the use of the acupuncture method. Urban acupuncture offers a unique opportunity to tackle the complex challenges of modern cities. It provides a means of implementing small-scale, targeted interventions that can have a positive impact on the larger urban environment. By examining the relationship between urban acupuncture and landscape design, this research seeks to demonstrate the positive impact that this approach can have on cities and their residents. The goal is to advance our understanding of the role that urban acupuncture can play in creating more livable, sustainable, and resilient urban environments. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, relevant topics such as urban acupuncture, blue-green infrastructure, and social context were analyzed conceptually. In the second phase, case studies were conducted and evaluated. The literature review conducted in the first phase helped to determine the criteria used to select and evaluate the case studies within the context of the subject.