Developing a Model For Public Green Areas in Istanbul: Handmade Urbanism as a Participatory Activity Which Integrates School Interiors and Outdoor Spaces

Abstract

The study presented in this paper examines a sample of management models which transform the maintenance of urban public green areas
into an urban activity described as “handmade urbanism,” which encourages primary school students to carry out activities by means of a
shared, planned, scheduled and regionalist method. Based on the example of Razgrad City in Bulgaria, the study investigates the applicability
of the model for primary schools and public green areas in Istanbul. The aim of the study is to explore the potential of education regarding the
sustainability of urban public green areas and the appropriation of urban green spaces to generate environmental consciousness. Besiktas, a
central county in Istanbul, was chosen as the area in which to test the model. An organization model was formed for the schools’ distribution of
120 parks for 23 schools. As a result, a “Green Area Management (GAM) Model” is presented to connect the two major elements of society –
primary schools and urban governance.