Design thinking shapes the future of İstanbul’s neighbourhoods
Social impact and urban design programme ‘Tak Kartal’
The Purpose
Kartal, an industrial area in İstanbul, hopes to revitalize its former industrial sites and other underused areas. The project, Tasarım Atolyesi Kartal (TAK Kartal), is a creative innovation space for residents, designers, volunteers, students and supporters to collaboratively create ideas and products for the public good.
The Challenge
The challenge of the project is to engage Kartal’s residents, many of whom have little experience of working in groups. The goal is to develop a new relationship between citizens and local government through innovative, mobile spaces and a participatory approach.
Social Impact Design has been instrumental in the project’s success, using human-centered design principles to develop tangible solutions based on the needs of the community
The Solution
TAK Kartal includes various spaces provided by the municipality of Kartal, such as studios and mobile design ateliers. It also features portable modular units that serve as meeting points for neighbours. The project has recruited five full-time designers to work on it over two years and offers thirteen design, research, and participation programs developed with contributions from residents and designers.
The Impact
One of the notable programs is “Corner Borders,” which regenerates abandoned places in Kartal with input from residents and designers. The winning projects are funded and implemented by the municipality, leading to positive transformations in the city. TAK Kartal has also initiated a “Shock Corners Borders” program, creating rapid design projects that benefit the community. The project has increased awareness and familiarity with its participatory approach, fostering a new relationship between citizens and local government. Social Impact Design has been instrumental in the project’s success, using human-centred design principles to develop tangible solutions based on the needs of the community. Design thinking may be applied more broadly in the future.
Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022
Images Courtesy © City of İstanbul
