The impacts of temporary structures on the implementation of zoning plans: The case of Trabzon / Ortahi̇sar

Urban space is shaped not only by the projections of plans on paper but also by the temporary solutions that emerge in practice to fill implementation gaps. Alongside the long-term decisions of 20–25 years envisioned by plans, muvakkat (temporary) structures may occupy the urban fabric as short-term responses independent of planning decisions. Although zoning programs regulate plan implementation within the framework of Law No. 3194, delays in execution encourage temporary construction. These structures temporarily preserve property rights while creating unforeseen pressures on infrastructure and transportation systems. This study was conducted through a multi-method approach that combines the spatial analysis of MAKS data related to temporary building permits issued in Ortahisar between 2015 and 2023, field observations carried out in Ortahisar district as of 2025, and expert interviews to determine whether the observed situation is specific to Ortahisar or reflects a general condition. The research conducted in Trabzon Ortahisar reveals that temporary structures undermine the integrity of urban plans, often lose their provisional nature by turning into long-term uses, cause contradictions in terms of financial and social equity, and expose legal gaps within the current regulations. The study proposes strengthening zoning programs and inspection mechanisms, restricting temporary construction in public areas, detailing temporary uses in plan notes, adopting environmental protection measures, clarifying regulations, and establishing transparent permit procedures. In this way, it offers a roadmap for managing the tension between long-term planning visions and short-term temporary building permissions.