Browsing by Author "Kesim, Berk"

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Exploring transdisciplinary interaction in higher education: urbanism through informal learning environment
(EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD, 2025) Kesim, Berk; Bengu, Elif; 0000-0001-8772-4084; 0000-0001-9817-7207; AGÜ; Bengu, Elif
PurposeThis study aims to explore interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary interactions around sustainability, focusing on the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). By using the city as an informal learning space, it presents a case study to raise SDG awareness, promote interdisciplinarity, foster critical thinking and empower students.Design/methodology/approachUsing qualitative content analysis, this study explores students' interdisciplinary engagements. The research centers on student-created Logbooks, combining field data for analysis via open coding.FindingsThe informal setting facilitates transdisciplinary interaction and enriches interdisciplinary skills while retaining individuals' disciplinary tendencies.Research limitations/implicationsFactors like local geographical conditions and participant numbers could lead to minor variations in future course applications. Although initial problem topics and discussions are confined to local urban geography, they might diversify during implementation.Practical implicationsThe Logbook serves as a guide for local urban issues and embodies interdisciplinary outcomes. It can be enhanced with maps and problem zoning.Social implicationsDemonstrates effective SDG integration into higher education.Originality/valueThis study spotlights interdisciplinary learning within an unconventional context - urbanism - bridging student gaps. Supported by a paradigm shift from sustainability to unsustainability, it underscores the significance of critical engagement with SDGs.
Urban pornography: Anti-places of modern architectural heritage in Turkey
(Docomomo, 2021) Kesim, Berk; Yöney, Nilüfer Baturayoğlu; AGÜ, Mimarlık Fakültesi, Mimarlık Bölümü; Kesim, Berk
Places are distinctive yet sometimes architecture may degrade them by design: Rebuilding the same architectural entity may not always reproduce the authentic place and its attributes but instead create anti-places in the urban environment, which may absorb and deprive the surrounding settings by creating sameness. The term pornography here has no erotic connotations but describes an image-oriented anti-design attitude, the way architects may create anti-places by copying, pasting, overemphasizing, and thus, objectifying certain place attributes. The urban-scape exposed by architectural design and deprived of its dignity is urban pornography. The paper focuses on two examples from Turkey: The Turkish Monopoly Liquor and Cognac Factory (Mecidiyeköy, Istanbul; Rob Mallet-Stevens, 1930), now rebuilt as Mecidiyeköy Towers (EAA, Istanbul, 2010-2017) and the Sait Bey and Semih Rüstem villas (Atatürk Street, Adana; Semih Rüstem Temel, 1932), now rebuilt as Semih Rüstem Commercial Center (MArS Architects, Istanbul, 2006-2012), both with a more than 10-fold increase in built area. The reconstruction in both cases was based on a declaration of being unfit in terms of function and technology beyond the obvious urban pressure of increasing the built-up area. Although both listed, the reconstructions did not preserve any characteristics or original architectural elements except for the general form and parts of the authentic names. Ultimately, the paper identifies this eradication of character and the creation of anti-places upon the case studies, perhaps the greatest threat against modern architectural heritage in urban areas. © of the edition, docomomo International © of the images, their authors and © of the texts, their authors.