An Exploration of Public Open Spaces with Data Driven Approaches: A Case Study of Beyazıt Square

Abstract

Data-driven approaches are widely used to gain insight in urban dynamics and support urban decisions with pervasive adoption of information technologies. In the presented study, the students adopt data data-driven approaches to observe, and analyze public spaces, and make conceptual decisions for urban furniture in the context of the workshop. This workshop is developed within the scope of the Environmental Computing course. It is conducted with 27 students in Beyazıt Square as a case study area. In the scope of the study, open public spaces were observed and analyzed using data-driven approaches. Based on the analysis results, the students were expected to develop urban furniture design that would enhance user experience and activities in the area. This study questions how data-driven approaches aid in exploring public spaces and support design decisions. The objective of the study was to explore user-generated urban dynamics using multiple data and make decisions for urban furniture that augments urban dynamics. The conceptual design process of urban furniture is shaped as results of data-driven approach. The students were introduced to the Public Life Tools developed by the Gehl Institute for site observation. They were divided into particular groups and used relevant digital tracking applications to measure user activities, user profiles, and live traffic in the area. They evaluated the quality of place based on predetermined criteria by Gehl Institute. The phases of the study involve (1) the exploration of digital observation methods, (2) mapping observational, data, urban data, and locative media data in Geographic Information System (GIS), and (3) defining the relationships between the parameters affecting urban dynamics. (4) This was followed by making conceptual design decisions and (5) developing the design of urban furniture considering data analysis results. According to the findings, the use of data-driven observation and analysis methods has been effective in developing user scenarios, determining user profiles, identifying needs, and taking functional decisions in urban furniture design. Based on the students’ evaluation, the data-driven decision-making process was effective in identifying needs, problems, and potentials in the area. As the limitations of the study, the students stated that the use of digital observation methods and the learning process of GIS software were challenging. This study contributes to the field of urban computing through its conducted fieldwork.