PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AT MESA-KORU: TOWARD A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

This case study examines the process of a landscape renovation project of a public housing development in Ankara, Mesa Koru site. The Mesa Koru study discusses and explores new trajectories in the development of sustainable landscape development via a participatory approach. Through focus group discussions, design workshops and personal interviews, groups of residents and property managers were included in plan development. Results show that the community is ready to engage in building a more sustainable model for the future of the site with predictable costs shared by the community members. It is assumed that this new model, which involves a customized participatory design process, designed through collaboration between researchers, designers, and resident and management groups, will be a role model for all other public housing sites in Turkey.