1. | Front Matter Pages I - V |
ARTICLE | |
2. | Categorising urban games from a sustainability perspective Burcu Yaşlak, Aliye Ahu Gülümser doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.84115 Pages 435 - 445 In recent years, games have emerged as a significant focal point in urban studies. This paper examines urban games through the lens of sustainability. The exploration of urban games from a sustainability perspective is compelling due to the historical coexistence of these two subjects, yet their interrelationship remains unexplored. By reviewing literature and online platforms for existing games, we compiled a database of 173 urban games. We categorized their principal characteristics by location, number of players, target group, benefit to the target group, three sustainability pillars, and related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In conclusion, when findings from both urban planning and sustainability perspectives are combined, it becomes evident that these games emphasize the role of individuals in society with regard to sustainability, underscoring their responsibilities. Ultimately, public participation stands out as a key focus. |
3. | A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study on the effectiveness of trees on pedestrian level wind environment in urban areas Parinaz Badamchizadeh, Paria Saadatjoo, Mahyar Kazemian doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.22308 Pages 446 - 461 The present study aims to investigate the role of vegetation in regulating pedestrian-level wind on Imam Street. Imam Street is one of the main streets of Tabriz city, and the wind speed at pedestrian level has made pedestrians feel uncomfortable, especially in the cold season. The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical research, in which numerical simulation was carried out to simulate wind flow for the current state and different proposed states using Dlubal RWIND 2.02 software. To this end, the effects of height, distance, and arrangement of vegetation (along with tree benches) (as the independent variables) on pedestrian-level wind speed (as the dependent variable) were investigated, and the relationships between the variables were examined using Spearman's correlation. The findings indicated that planting trees with a height of 6 meters, spaced at a distance of 3 meters according to density pattern 1, can enhance wind comfort on Imam Street by reducing the wind speed at the pedestrian level by 60%. The results showed that the use of vegetation compatible with the climate, at a given distance and according to a proper pattern, can significantly reduce wind speed. The surrounding tree benches direct the airflow towards the street and moderate the wind speed at the pedestrian level. |
4. | Analysis of user-related risks in fire-safe building design Hüsniye Sueda Yıldırım, Erkan Avlar doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.73669 Pages 462 - 478 Fire safety encompasses protection from fire, limitation of the spread of fire and smoke, fire suppression, and the provision of rapid and safe means of escape. Human behavior plays a crucial role in ensuring an effective evacuation. It is well-established that users’ physiology, psychology, and behaviors during emergencies impact building usage conditions. Fire safety in buildings may not be fully achieved solely through meeting fire-safe design regulations and legal requirements; instead, a comprehensive approach that offers solutions tailored to user characteristics is necessary. Therefore, adapting fire safety measures in buildings to align with building- and user-specific attributes is deemed essential for facilitating timely and safe evacuations. In this study, risks associated with different users in direct interaction with the building’s function are identified and analyzed within the context of fire-safe building design. Userrelated risks are determined through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis and are evaluated in conjunction with fire incidents that occurred previously. According to the analysis results, the identified user-related risks for fire-safe building design are categorized into three groups: Risks associated with individual, social, and situational characteristics. Determining the risks associated with users who need to be evacuated during building fires is considered crucial for comprehending user characteristics, response times, and behavior patterns, as well as for developing effective evacuation strategies. It is argued that preventive measures addressing these risks could help avert or minimize casualties during fires. |
5. | Meta-analysis review of the literature on urban housing production from an Actor-network theory perspective Ayşegül Baghal, Candan Çınar Çıtak doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.54670 Pages 479 - 492 Urban areas are dynamic and complex systems. In the built environment, reshaping and reconstructing urban spaces for a sustainable future raises not only physical and spatial challenges but also issues around stakeholder relations. Urban area production, consumption, use, and management processes involve complex interactions between heterogeneous assets. In recent years, understanding inter-stakeholder networks has been crucial for urban growth and transformation decision-making mechanisms. Urban transformation is a complex and multifaceted process that requires comprehensive and integrated methods involving stakeholders and addressing economic, social, and environmental aspects. Scientific approaches are necessary for dealing with cities' complex, dynamic growth due to social and physical factors. This article evaluates actor-network theory (ANT), one of many approaches to resolving social relations, as a conceptual framework for its ability to unravel the entire network of relationships between actors, objects, and things involved in housing production processes in urban studies. The primary objective of the study is to construct a framework for decision-making models by analyzing housing production systems, both locally and globally, from the perspective of actor-network theory. This is achieved by analyzing stakeholder network relationships through meta-analyses of literature and ANT-based case studies, considering political, sociological, and historical differences. For developing decision-making models, articles reviewed in the meta-analysis framework are classified into four categories: (1) policies and strategies; (2) stakeholders and actors; (3) approaches and tools; and (4) potentials and risks. The study findings are expected to contribute to the development of decision-making models for urban transformation practices. |
6. | Evaluation of opaque and transparent facade component options for energy efficiency and carbon emissions in office buildings Ebru Ünver Karaer, Gül Koçlar Oral doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.60963 Pages 493 - 512 Energy-efficient buildings can be defined as buildings that use energy in the most efficient way throughout their life cycle. In this context, the building envelope is the most important component in separating the indoor and outdoor environments in terms of energy efficiency at the building scale. The properties of the building envelope can significantly improve the energy performance of buildings by reducing energy consumption and, therefore, operational carbon emissions. In addition, the building envelope has a significant impact on the embodied carbon emissions of a building. Consequently, the negative environmental impact of buildings can be reduced, and economic benefits can be achieved by reducing operating costs. The building envelope, especially in office buildings that are used for the entire day and contain spaces that require comfort due to the activities performed, should be carefully considered during the architectural design phase. It is obvious that designing building envelopes according to the space type, the activities to be carried out in the space, and the characteristics of the occupants will help to reduce artificial energy consumption, as well as operational and embodied carbon emissions. In this context, a study was carried out with Building Information Modelling (BIM) to determine the optimum building envelope options, combining both opaque and transparent components, that can provide thermal comfort to occupants while minimizing artificial energy consumption, as well as operational and embodied carbon emissions, in new office buildings. This study presents the results of calculations of energy consumption, operational and embodied carbon emissions for new office buildings in Erzurum, Türkiye, and provides recommendations to guide energy-efficient facade design at the architectural project phase. |
7. | The differentiated regionality of rural Türkiye: The relationship between population growth/decline trends, population sizes and spatial distribution of settlements at village/sub-village level in Türkiye Özdemir Sönmez doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.46144 Pages 513 - 525 This study examines the dynamics and regional differentiation of rural areas in Türkiye, focusing on the relationship between population growth/decline trends, population sizes, and the spatial distribution of settlements at the village and sub-village/hamlet level. To this end, it uses data from the Address-Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) and Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics regions level 2 (NUTS-2) to identify and analyze the rural population change trends in Türkiye's NUTS-2 regions. The study categorizes 41,944 rural settlements with populations under 5,000 into three groups based on population size: below 500 (Group 1), between 501–2,000 (Group 2), and between 2,001–5,000 (Group 3). It classifies all these settlements as "decreasing," "stable," or "increasing" in population. To visualize the relationship between these variables, the study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and discusses the factors influencing population trends. The main findings indicate a decreasing trend in the rural population, with the highest rate of population loss occurring in settlements with populations below 500. In contrast, settlements with populations over 500 show relatively less population loss, and a significant portion of them are experiencing growth. This research provides a detailed spatial analysis of rural population trends in Türkiye, making a significant contribution to the literature. It offers insights for policymakers to address regional disparities and support sustainable rural development. |
8. | An investigation of the self-construction experience in architect’s education Ömür Kararmaz doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.86658 Pages 526 - 538 This research examines architectural education through the lens of architecture students' selfconstruction experiences within design studios. In the context of architectural education, “selfconstruction” refers to the process by which students establish their professional identity, develop their understanding of design, and shape their perspective within the discipline, alongside their personal perception and worldview. The study advocates that architectural design education significantly impacts students' personal development, framing it as a self-construction process. The aim of this research is to gather feedback on students' educational experiences within the studio environment. Accordingly, the focus is on “the architect’s education,” placing the individual at the center of a lifelong learning journey rather than on architectural education. To explore students' self-construction and transformation experiences, a case study was conducted with 50 senior-year architecture students from Yıldız Technical University, who have more extensive and complex educational experiences compared to early-year students. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, with responses analyzed both contextually and thematically. The evaluated student statements suggest that studio environments offer students the potential to develop a range of abilities. While studio challenges may initially serve as hurdles, they can eventually positively influence both professional and personal growth. The findings indicate that architectural education, particularly studio experiences, plays a significant role in students' personal development, with students expressing an awareness of their own change and transformation. Highlighting students' self-construction experiences and their reflections on shifts in worldview and personal growth can provide valuable methodological insights for developing new approaches and tools in architectural design education. |
9. | The importance of figural and verbal sketches in creativity within the architectural design studio Ziba Sami, Yasemen Say Özer doi: 10.14744/megaron.2025.88120 Pages 539 - 549 Architectural education has a significant history with Sketch, which has consistently held a prominent position in design. This study investigates the various types of sketches used in the design studio and their impact on architectural education. Sketches, including figural and verbal techniques, are essential for advancing students in design studios. Knowing sketches and their use in the design process can significantly increase students' creativity in the design studio. The research explores how figural and verbal sketches influenced creativity within the design studios. A sample of 107 students was selected from the 2022 Spring Semester and 2023 Fall Semester at Architecture Design 1 at Yildiz Technical University. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking and questionnaires were used in this methodology. The data was examined using SPSS version 26, and data analysis t-test, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney U statistical tests were applied. Our research results demonstrate the effectiveness of figural (drawing, diagram, and modeling) and verbal (textual expression and dialogue) sketches in students' design process. These tools also affect students' creative thinking in various design stages. Furthermore, figural and verbal sketches are used in different project stages to develop innovative ideas and thinking and identify fresh solutions and problem-solving during the design problem. |
10. | Integration of psychoacoustic parameters into acoustic design: The impact of architectural design factors on the indoor soundscape of airport terminal buildings Kadir Kürşad Ayık, Mehmet Nuri Ilgürel doi: 10.14744/megaron.2024.69009 Pages 550 - 561 This research examines the complex relationship between architectural design factors and psychoacoustic parameters in airport terminal buildings. Architectural design elements such as surface properties and dimensional aspects, as well as factors such as spatial layouts, were evaluated to investigate how design decisions impact the sound environment and, consequently, passenger comfort. A variety of methods, including on-site measurements, binaural sound recordings, questionnaires, auralizations, and listening tests, were used to analyze and improve the sound environment of airport terminal buildings. Results indicate that differences in loudness values are related to the architectural form, surface properties, and configuration of the circulation paths. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the change in the height of the building affects the sharpness value, and roughness is directly related to the absorbency of surface materials, independent of volume. Essentially, this research underscores the pivotal role of integrating psychoacoustic parameters such as loudness, roughness, and sharpness into the acoustic design framework of airport terminal buildings. Such integration enhances our understanding of the relationship between architectural design and indoor soundscape, as well as informs design decisions aimed at optimizing acoustic comfort in airport facilities. |