The Taksim Square and its surrounding area, which holds a significant place in the social, environmental, cultural, and political memory of Istanbul's historical development, is crucial for Turkey as a square.
The decisions about what will be done in this valuable area of Istanbul have often been made by political decision-makers and investor groups without involving other urban actors (residents, professional organizations, civil society organizations, universities, etc.) and without asking for their input or consultation. This approach has led to significant injustices and mistakes.
It is essential for the establishment of democracy in society that valuable actions are supported by new ideas and projects. This is the primary duty of architects and architecture students towards their profession and themselves. Generating alternatives, discussing, and being civilized and enlightened are responsibilities.
It is evident that this duty primarily belongs to the youth. With this idea in mind, the Istanbul Association of Freelance Architects invites architecture students to engage in discussion, idea generation, and active participation in these processes by opening a design competition among students. In this context, a competition among students has been decided upon.
Thus, the importance of discussing the project needs to be emphasized.
In light of the experiences during the protests, the aim and expectations of this competition, initiated by the Istanbul Association of Freelance Architects, are to open a discussion on what can or cannot be done in this park area and its surroundings.
The goal is to produce public space and place.
Participants will be expected to produce models regarding the stakeholders of the project, define the balances among them in detail, and create patterns related to the relationships. Contestants will decide whether these connections are real or fictional. Participants are expected to demonstrate that the ideas they produce encompass not only physical space usage but also political decision-making, space production, and creating scenarios for social use.
1st Prize: 5000 TL (Five Thousand Turkish Liras)
2nd Prize: 4000 TL (Four Thousand Turkish Liras)
3rd Prize: 3000 TL (Three Thousand Turkish Liras)
1st Honorable Mention: 2000 TL (Two Thousand Turkish Liras)
2nd Honorable Mention: 2000 TL (Two Thousand Turkish Liras)
3rd Honorable Mention: 2000 TL (Two Thousand Turkish Liras)
4th Honorable Mention: 2000 TL (Two Thousand Turkish Liras)
5th Honorable Mention: 2000 TL (Two Thousand Turkish Liras)