Özet:

Abstract In this study, contributions of urban design to urban planning and relations between urban design and urban planning have been examined. Especially, problems like difficulties in reflecting planning decisions of flexible planning approach to urban places, inequalities since the flexible planning system is based on appreciation, and also possible political pressures within this system, increase the importance of urban design as public policies within flexible planning approach. In this context, the importance of urban design as public policies within flexible planning approach has been the subject of this study. First of all, a literature review has been done on planning approaches and systems. Planning systems that are shaped by judicial system, political, economic, and cultural constitutions of the countries, are basically classified in two groups; flexible (project-based) and strict (plan-based) planning. There are several problems faced in both planning approaches. Planning decisions within the plans prepared with strict planning approach are most of the time insufficient in responding to the needs of the cities’ dynamic, variable and transformative constitutions. Flexible planning systems, on the other hand, are not legally binding and also insufficient in applying the planning decisions. The problems of both systems would be solved by making those systems coming closer to each other. At this point urban design discipline step which takes on the task as an interface between architecture, urban planning, and other relevant disciplines. Integration of urban design as public policies with urban planning would provide flexibility in strict planning approach and certainty in flexible planning approach. Vienna which has been chosen as the most livable city in the world for the last 10 years, is a city that uses a German planning system. The difference of German Family within planning systems is that even if it is strict planning approach it includes flexibility. In other words, it is a system in which two planning approaches come closer. Although contributions of planning systems to livability is another subject of study, it can be claimed that this situation is not a coincidence. It can be said that including both approaches of planning in the same system would have positive effects on the livability and quality of places. Then, the effects of urban design as public policies on flexible planning approach have been investigated. What kind of contributions would be provided to the cities by including urban design policies within urban development plans have been searched. Capital cities of two countries that have the same planning approach applied in different ways have been the issue of this research. In this context, urban development plans of the capital city of North Ireland, Belfast, and the capital city of North Cyprus, Nicosia have been investigated through urban design policies within the plans, and their reflections on urban places have been illustrated. Through the literature review, a matrix has been generated with urban design dimensions and principles. The matrix has been used for comparing urban development plans of Nicosia and Belfast in terms of planning policies related with urban design. As a result of the comparison, it has been understood that there are few policies related with urban design in Nicosia Master Plan (urban development plan) and they are advisory and uncertain policies. So that it can easily be observed that the city has no legibility, imageability, sense of closure in its urban places and also devoid of place perception. Belfast’s development plan, on the other hand, includes four policies related to urban design with various detailed items reflecting local properties. The policies are applied through guidelines which are prepared according to the concerns of those policies. The reflections of those policies can be observed in Belfast city’s residential areas and commercial corridors. Continuity, harmony of variety, wide pavements, and landscape elements provide more livable and quality urban places compared to Nicosia. The comparison of the two cities has proved and highlighted the importance of integrating urban design into local urban development plans as public policies. In conclusion, it has been said that urban design as public policies would provide spatial, environmental, social, functional, and economic contributions to planning especially to flexible planning with uncertain and not legally binding policies. In line with all arguments and searches, it has been proposed that North Cyprus’s flexible planning system should become stricter to be more successful in generating high-quality urban places. Government should share planning responsibilities with local administration, and local administration should be able to make their own local urban development plans within a legislative framework.

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