VIRTUAL Barcelona Livable Cities
Abstract
Urban planning is a tool used to address issues within settlements, shaping policies and prioritizing public welfare. This study examines responsibilities in urban planning and the public’s role proposing a new, humane and inclusive model guided by the principles of strategic spatial planning, by addressing the limitations of traditional methods within current urban issues and emphasizing the need for alternative approaches. This article reinterprets the concepts of community, NGOs, public cooperation, stakeholder partnerships, urban planning, and public interest. By creating an organisation centred around responsibility, authority, and stakeholder engagement, it proposes a new governance DNA. This DNA not only provides a new framework for the public good but also provides a collaborative roadmap for achieving it. Our proposed model views collaboration as the cornerstone of a healthy society and sustainable urban life.
Derived from the post-disaster recovery efforts in Antakya city center, affected by the impacts of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, was our foundation. The disaster created a gap in governance and it enabled a unique opportunity to develop and implement a new framework. Initial voluntary efforts evolved into official policy as plans gained government approval. The model placed collaboration at its core, bringing together over 1,000 professionals from public, private, and non-governmental organizations through local, national and international collaboration, across 40 workshops, to support humane urban recovery. In just eight months, 99% of proposed projects have been implemented, demonstrating the model’s efficacy in rebuilding sustainable, resilient and humane urban spaces.
Mehmet is an architect, entrepreneur, civil society leader, and composer. With a background in architecture, he is pursuing an Executive MSc in Cities at LSE. He founded the Türkiye Design Council to empower design ecosystems and led the Hatay Revitalisation Plan after the 2023 earthquake. He is now launching the Global Humane Urbanism Support Organisation, focused on humane urban recovery. Mehmet contributed to Istanbul Airport’s development as a Board Member of IGA and Kalyon Holding. His company, Kalyon Cities, is active in real estate in Türkiye and the UK.
Born in Istanbul in 1973, Cem Yılmaz graduated from Istanbul Technical University’s Urban and Regional Planning program in 1996. He completed a master’s degree at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2002 and earned a Metro AG Management Academy Certificate from Boğaziçi University. A former Commercial Director at MDC Turkey, he co-founded KEYM Urban Renewal Center Inc. in 2011. He led Turkey’s first urban transformation master plan and internationally significant projects in Uzbekistan. From June 2021 to March 2023, he served as a Board Member at GYODER (Real Estate Investors Association) and has been the Vice Chairman of the Board since March 2023.
Born in Ereğli in 1965, Bünyamin Derman graduated with a master’s degree from the Department of Architecture at Yıldız Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture in 1990. Between 1988 and 1996, he taught at the same university, and from 1999 to 2004, he gave lectures in architectural design studios at Istanbul Kültür University. In 1995, he founded db Architecture and Consultancy Ltd. Co. with Dilek Topuz Derman where he continues to work from. Since the early 1990s, he has participated in numerous national and international competitions, winning two equivalent awards, eight first prizes, and several other awards and honourable mentions. He has also served on juries for various competitions.
Efsun began her education in the field of urban and regional planning at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2012. After completing her master’s degree at Istanbul Technical University. Currently she is pursuing her Ph.D. at the same university. At the same time, she has gained expertise in planning processes, reporting, data collection and analysis, research methods, and both technical and theoretical knowledge through various work experiences and projects, at KEYM.
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Wednesday 16th July, 2025