Suburbs

Oğuzhan Tunçay, Gülsu Ersoy, Efser Nisa Yıldız

In this project, we wanted to show how lands we call “middle of nowhere” turn into suburbs, places to live.  In order to do that, we went to Kayaşsehir, located in BaşakşehirBasaksehir. Başsakşsehir’s population increased with the mass housing, which started in 1995.   More than half of the population in Başakşehir Basaksehir resides in these houses built after 1995.  Areas such as Bahçceşsehir, Onurkent, and Kayabaşısi have been important significant to Başsakhşsehir’s growth and becoming a district.  

In some cities and districts, the population overflow in some regions without the opportunity to prepare the necessary infrastructure.  Thus, the need for materials increases, such as food, a place to live, thea fresh air.  Because as the population increases, the area we can have as a person decreases.  This situation mostly ends with unplanned urbanization to catch up with the population increase.  We wanted to research how this sprawl affects not just humans but the world itself. 

We went to Başakşehir Basaksehir on Monday on a sunny day without knowing exactly what to shoot or where to shoot it, which was a huge mistake we realized when we arrived.  MainlyMostly because it was very different than what we imagined it to be.  First, we met in Şişli as a common point and set off.  It took approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Başakşehir by public transportation.  Our first impression was how it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.  However, when I think about it now, the best way to describe the area would probably be “under construction” or “incomplete.” Some parts of it feel like suburbs, and some parts still feel like a little village.  There is construction everywhere you turn your head.  I think that is why it does not feel like a place with a soul.  While visiting the region, we saw that there are neighborhood names such as Başakşehir 1st stage, Başakşehir 2nd stage, 14th region, 15th region, 17th region, etc.  ThisIt shows how soulless even the names of these neighborhoods are and that they do not have a memorycarry any memories; even, and even if there is a memory attached, this shows that it is not remembered.  When we go to Karaköy or Beşiktaş, iIt feels like every building, every stone, pebble, has its history and memory.  In Başakşehir, iIf you do not have an individual experience, there is no memory of what you look at and see.  Other than that, in this society where the population is increasing outrageously, we think it is special to find quiet places where you can listen only to your head, even out in the street, especially in Istanbul.  This is precisely why people may prefer to escape the city center’s chaos and reside in places like Başakşehir. Considering the disadvantages and advantages, it is suitable for employees looking for green space because they have children or do not like the hustle and bustle of the center.  However, a university student like us, Başakşehir is a bit far from everything for university students like us. 

Transportation facilities are also limited because it is a new settlement far from the city center.  It takes about 2-3 hours to get to this area, where there are several bus lines and a metro line, by public transport from the areas with the most settlements on the European side.  However, this can change if you have a private car.  Nevertheless,But we must look at the good side, which is considered in urban planning.  During our trip to the region, we saw that stores were placed inside the site settlements where people could meet all kinds of needs.  In addition, there are places such as high school, primary school, and secondary school here.  The hospital facilities in the area are outstandingamazing.  bBecause there was a huge hospital right in the middle of this new residential area of Başakşehir.  The territory of the hospital was so huge that we could not help admiring it.  

The origin of the word site dates back to Ancient Greece.  This self-sufficient community of people forms a city-state.  Of course, the people are building walls around it to protect these city-states.  One of the elements that attracted our attention during our trip was these security measures.  Although there is an area with nothing around it, we have seen sites that have not been left behind by security.  Surrounded by wires or walls, these sites give us an idea of the origin of the word ‘site state.’ 

As a result, we completed our trip and took photos.  The area felt like we were falling into nothingness.  It was a difficult area to reach, far from the city center.  Despite this, it was a region where urbanization was fast and noticeable enough to be seen with the eye.  Examples of this are the ongoing construction and the new shops that are opened according to the needs.  The photos we took also show the effects of these.  In this article, we talked about the slums.   We explained the area we were visiting.  We talked about the transportation opportunities in the region and what the region offers to people.  We found that it is a different concept than the slum concept used in the past.  It was a developing settlement.  We also talked about the connection of this with the population.