The changing meaning of urban open spaces through the pandemic process: workshop experiences

Covid 19 epidemic has been effective since the beginning of 2020 and is one of the most widespread pandemics with its global spread rate and area. In the historical process, pandemics have had a substantial impact on the city and urbanization, and in this context, urban transformations have been associated with pandemics. The emergence and spread of pandemics are directly related to urban conditions under the headings of collective life, architecture and urban planning, infrastructure services, settlement, and population density. The rapidly implemented measures for controlling the pandemic affected different parts of the society in psychological, social, physical, and economic terms at different levels, and the powersociety relationship is questioned. The use of public spaces has been restricted, cultural and social life has decreased considerably due to the risk of transmission of the virus. While the pandemic has affected our lives at different layers, it has changed our perception of space, architecture, urban space, and landscape. Living in the residences located in the densely populated area in the city center and those living in the residences located on the periphery and having their common areas or gardens have experienced the quarantine process differently. The location, typology, size, open and semi-open spaces of the house have differentiated the experience. As part of the "The Use of Indoor and Outdoor Space during the lockdown in Pandemic" research project, the concepts related to the changing use of outdoor space during the pandemic have been discussed at workshops. In the research, our aim is to determine the density of using open areas regarding various activities of people during the pandemic process and to understand the alterations made and their reasons in using the space. The use and transformation of open spaces and surroundings were examined in multiple layers through users' perceptions and relationships. In addition, we created an online workshop and survey series with undergraduate and graduate students from various design disciplines to demonstrate the transformation of space. The suggestions on open space and its surroundings' experiences and needs were discussed through the workshops. The importance of having a residential garden and balcony was emphasized during the pandemic process, and also have open areas such as parks, urban forests, open sports fields, walking track, sea/lakeside, children's gardens, children's playgrounds within walking distance was emphasized. The analysis highlighted the importance and necessity of open spaces. Additionally, workshops have looked beyond physical boundaries and reconsidered our living environments. However, we do not yet know whether Covid 19 will cause a systemic transformation in our city life.