Place of cemeteries in development plan, need analysis for new cemetery areas and cemetery information system: Istanbul example

The cemeteries are the reinforced areas where most of the green areas are located after the forest areas in the urban texture of Istanbul. Although cemeteries seem like areas that do not attract much attention in everyday life, they require special planning and design. When designing the cemetery area, it is necessary to design with functional features as well as symbolic, social, cultural, environmental and recreational dimensions. Due to the social, demographic and economic changes that have taken place in Istanbul in recent years, the cemeteries have become an urban problematic area. But this problem is not yet seen as a planning and design problem. Cemeteries, which are always located on the background in urban designs and plans, are also lacking in maintenance, operation, protection and technical support. Unfortunately; It is also clear that there are no comprehensive academic studies that can shed light on the possible solutions of the problems related to the planning and needs analysis of cemeteries located in Istanbul. Recent developments have removed the boundaries of public services and made it develop into a more technological structure. This change has also improved people's expectations for public services. Therefore, the municipalities have invested in technology for the purpose of introducing themselves and improving their services, revealing the possibility of intelligent urbanism. In this projection, "Cemetery Information System" (MEBİS) has started to be a part of e-municipality concept. In this study, the place of cemeteries located in Istanbul, the location of the constructed cemeteries was examined and the need analysis for the new cemetery area was made. Taking into consideration the population growth rate, mortality rates and the needs analysis, it is proposed that the new graveyard areas should be included in the zoning plans in the direction of increase. In addition, the concept of Cemetery Information System has been explained by using national and international examples and the benefits of the Cemetery Information System, which was made by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, have been explained.