The City of Van: Difference between revisions

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Landscape Planning as a Rural Development Instrument for The City of Van,Turkey, by Emel Baylan

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<googlemap version="0.9" lat="38.508415" lon="43.384323" type="satellite" zoom="11" width="300" height="250"> </googlemap>

Rationale: Why is this case study interesting?

Please summarise:- e.g. Design Innovation? Planning Exemplar? Theoretical Insights? Lessons learned from its failure? [It doesn’t have to have been successful]

Think about it from the view of another educator/student in a different country. Why should I use this case study in my teaching/education?

"Landscape planning" is a less dealed and sometimes missing instrument in rural development activities, especially in developing regions/countries.In these areas, "development" demands and criterias are generally being tried to be met in short terms without considering many aspects of "sustainability".As a result, desired "development" is becoming more unfeasible, more challenging. Additionally, increasing demands and requirements of communities making this challenge more complex, nearly in most of the developing countries and regions. Therefore,landscape planning activities those may have both short term results and long term effects should be integrated in rural development activities.

In this context, according to the natural and cultural features of the area, main landscape planning activities which can contribute to the development of Van City will be determined,

This case study may contribute to the similar efforts in rural landscapes. Also, it may contribute the knowledge on "landscape planning-rural development" connection.

Author's perspective

What theoretical or professional perspective do you bring to the case study? Please answer from your personal perspective.

Landscape planning may contribute to the rural development activities;

by contributing to the development vision and strategy of the rural landscapes and
by improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Landscape and/or urban context

Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

Van is a city in the eastern part of Turkey, near the border of Iran. It is located at an elevation of 1750 m. It covers an area of 4080 hectares. Van region features mountainous terrain with harsh winters.Steppe flora is common around the City. Additional to terrestial climate conditions, antropogenic effects, those ongoing for hunderd years, are the most important reasons of deforestration in Van.

The City lies on the eastern shore of Lake Van. Lake Van lies on the lowest part of Lake Van Basin,bordered by high mountains to the south, by plateaus and mountains to the east, and by a complex of volcanic cones to the west. Lake Van is the largest body of water in Turkey and the second largest in the Middle East. Brackish waters of Lake, are unsuitable for either drinking or irrigation.

City takes its name from Lake Van.“Van” is the name of the capital of the Urartian Kingdom that flourished on the Lake's eastern shore between the 10th and 8th centuries BC.

Van was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa, the capital of the powerful Urartu kingdom between the 10th and 8th centuries BC. In succeeding years, Van was under the control of the Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks and Ottomans. Old Van was completely destroyed by the end of World War I (1914-1918) after being occupied by Russian forces.The surrounding area is full of remains from Urantians to Ottomans.

Illustration:

Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses

Cultural/social/political context

Brief explanation of culture, political economy, legal framework

Illustration: Bullet points, image, background notes

History

How did the area/project/plan at the focus of the case study evolve?

Illustration: Table or time line