PROPOSAL FOR ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH: ‘COLLIDING CULTURES’

Imperfection and Urbanization; culture in a time of change (Why Istanbul?)

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Culture, traditionally associated with human behavior  embodies a set of particular symbols that hold significance to a group of individuals. However, through globalization, cities have become a place where different cultures are forced to co-exist; resulting in culture becoming a tool for national identity.

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Cape Town and Istanbul, both diverse and eclectic cities,  relate to the Latin term Lemin, meaning threshold. Victor Turner coined the term Liminality to describe individuals in modern society, who have been exposed to more than one culture. These cities are liminal sites; hybrid and multicultural epicenters. With this in mind, we believe that this tour will allow us to establish an on-going relationship, based on on-going collaborative research with the Istanbul Technical University among others.

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This relationship will be used to create a knowledge commons between our two cities, creating a virtual network database which will provide the opportunity to cross boundaries in the architectural academic realm. This tour will also serve as a compelling and significant prelude to lessons which can be learnt as Cape Town prepares to host the 2014 World Design Capital Initiative.

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As young and aspiring designers, this experience will be invaluable to both current and future students, stimulating broader discussions around global design. Incubating a nation of diverse and creative designers cannot be achieved by looking only at our own community for inspiration, therefore, the in-depth analysis of Istanbul will provide a fundamental resource in understanding the urban framework of the city as well as the tangible and intangible qualities of making a culturally rich city.