The Impact of Globalization on Architecture - Environment Relations: Housing Projects and Design Approaches

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of globalization particularly on culture and the architecture environment relations will be examined in the context of housing projects. Globalization greatly influences society, life styles and practices by the cultural, economic and technological currents that it creates. With the global culture presumably having been created and fed by such currents, individuals and their life styles are changed and transformed. It is natural that our homes are also influenced. Home is one of those places most open to changes because it may provide to its owner - or its user - such feelings as identity, belonging, etc., and is also seen as an investment. Particularly dynamic changes can be expected in large cities that are more open to global flows of life styles, brands and fashion trends. In this study, the aim is to examine the housing relations with the environment (built and unbuilt and natural, social and cultural environment) in new housing projects, particularly those realized and designed in recent years in Istanbul.