From dystopia to utopia: Kocaeli

Özet

The aim of this study is to discuss and evaluate a dystopia future scenario for year 2049 in Körfez Bay Region of Kocaeli Province. Industrial identity of Kocaeli has accelerated in the first years of 20th centu-ry. Urban image of the city has long been shaped by unplanned development, unauthorized buildings, and shanty houses. Especially morphological deformi-ties between industry and housing zones gave way to environmental and health problems. These ongoing urban problems shape a precursor character for a 2049 dystopic future.In this context 2012-2013 spring term Architectural Design Studio of Kocae-li University- Architectural and Design Faculty has selected “Utopia” as design theme in research&design and intellectual inquiry basis. Definition of the “2049 Dystopic Future Scenario” was given as; İzmit city completely collapsed, histor-ical layers are still under the surface, İzmit City Center is nothing more than a ruined wasteland, high levels of water pollution in Körfez Bay area and Sapanca Lake, emptied industry complexes baring no social or cultural meaning. The de-sign problem has been formulated as; “developing scenarios for designing livable cities” Groundbreaking utopian thinkers and new life systems designers were thor-oughly analyzed and tracked down in the design studio process. The students participating in the studio passed through various idea generating phases and evolved towards building new architectural design projects which imagine a brand new world.