An evaluation of urban vacant space through the temporary use approach: A case study of Kadıköy, Yeldeği̇rmeni̇

In the globalized world, open public spaces of today's urban area depict a problematic picture due to the rapid and unplanned urbanization, where the communication is mainly conducted through the technological means and the understanding of the public area is shifted to different directions. Within this picture, the definition of the urban space changes and vacancies appear. A problematic structure or on the contrary the economical opportunity of the vacancies are starting to be seen as promotable potential for the city and the urbanists by the uprising communion. This study investigates the possibility and the necessity of regaining the vacant spaces by temporary uses which could be an alternative solution towards resolving the issues by replenishing the urban liveliness. At this point, due to the vast scope of the vacant spaces, the investigation is concentrated on the urban open/outer, non-constructed spaces, through an approach at an urban block level. A field study is conducted in Yeldegirmeni neighborhood of Kadıköy district in Istanbul, which is a metropolis exhibiting heavy consequences of urbanization, due to its openness to the alteration and the occurrence of vacant spaces with the notion of revaluing the possible incidents. The study concentrates on gaining the vacant spaces as a reserve and resolution of the problems within the suppressing structure of the urban area. It is aimed to bring a systematic solution to the existing problems of the neighborhood by exploring the potentials of temporary uses and to increase the public communication and the urban liveliness.