Architectures of Emergency in Turkey: Heritage, Displacement and Catastrophe

This book challenges existing political analyses of the state of emergency in Turkey by arguing that it is produced, regulated, distributed, and contested through the built environment in both embodied and symbolic ways. Contributors use empirical critical-spatial research to explore heritage, displacement, and catastrophes, providing nuanced insight into the debate around emergency and recent urban-architectural affairs in Turkey.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book challenges existing political analyses of the state of emergency in Turkey by arguing that such states are not merely predetermined by policy and legislation but are produced, regulated, distributed, and contested through the built environment in both embodied and symbolic ways. Contributors use empirical critical-spatial research carried out in Turkey over the past decade, exploring heritage, displacement, and catastrophes. Contributing to the broader literature on the related concepts of exception, risk, crisis, and uncertainty, the book discusses the ways in which these phenomena shape and are shaped by the built environment, and provides context-specific empirical substance to it by focusing on contemporary Turkey. In so doing, it offers nuanced insight into the debate around emergency as well as into recent urban-architectural affairs in Turkey.

Introduction:
The state of emergency in Turkey has been a subject of intense debate and analysis in recent years. While some scholars argue that it is a necessary tool for the government to maintain stability and security, others argue that it is a violation of human rights and a threat to democracy. This book seeks to challenge these existing interpretations by examining the role of the built environment in shaping the state of emergency.

Chapter 1:
The first chapter explores the historical and political context of the state of emergency in Turkey. It examines the rise of authoritarianism in the country, the erosion of democratic institutions, and the use of emergency powers as a means of suppressing dissent. The chapter also discusses the ways in which the built environment has been used to justify and perpetuate the state of emergency.

Chapter 2:
The second chapter examines the empirical evidence of the impact of the state of emergency on the built environment. It uses critical-spatial research methods to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of displacement, destruction, and reconstruction in different regions of Turkey. The chapter also explores the ways in which the built environment has been used to control and marginalize certain groups and communities.

Chapter 3:
The third chapter examines the ways in which the built environment has been used to contest the state of emergency. It explores the emergence of grassroots movements and urban protests that have challenged the government's authority and demanded greater democratic rights. The chapter also discusses the ways in which the built environment has been used to facilitate these movements and to create spaces of resistance.

Chapter 4:
The fourth chapter examines the broader implications of the book's findings for the study of emergency and the built environment. It discusses the ways in which the book contributes to the broader literature on the related concepts of exception, risk, crisis, and uncertainty. The chapter also explores the ways in which the book can be used to inform policy and practice in the field of urban planning and design.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book argues that the state of emergency in Turkey is not merely predetermined by policy and legislation but is produced, regulated, distributed, and contested through the built environment in both embodied and symbolic ways. The book provides nuanced insight into the debate around emergency as well as into recent urban-architectural affairs in Turkey. By examining the role of the built environment in shaping the state of emergency, this book offers a new perspective on the complex and multifaceted phenomenon of emergency governance.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755645329