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%0 Thesis
%A Isik, Pelin
%T Rethinking public space through play theory: a study of social and spatial dynamics in Aachen and Diyarbakır
%I Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
%V Dissertation
%C Aachen
%M RWTH-2025-10352
%P 1 Online-Ressource : Illustrationen
%D 2025
%Z Veröffentlicht auf dem Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University
%Z Dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, 2025
%X Public spaces are integral to urban life, serving as essential connectors between individuals, ide-as, and cultures within the urban fabric. These spaces play a crucial role in fostering meaningful social interactions, nurturing a sense of community, and promoting inclusive engagement among diverse groups. Play theory conceptualizes play as an intrinsic aspect of human experience, extending beyond childhood and leisure activities. It positions play as a central mode of interaction that shapes social relations and encourages creative exploration. By framing play as a medium through which individuals can challenge existing social structures and roles, it becomes a tool for personal and social transformation. Play allows individuals to transcend conventional ways of thinking and behaving, offering opportunities for reinterpreting cultural expectations, and generating new forms of social engagement. In this framework, play catalyses the reimagining of public spaces, transforming them into dynamic environments where unexpected interactions occur, and where social norms are actively negotiated and redefined. This study applies play theory to public space analysis, offering a fresh perspective on how spontaneous, unplanned activities contribute to the evolution of these spaces. The research focuses on the cities of Aachen, Germany, and Diyarbakır, Turkey, selected for their distinct socio-cultural and administrative characteristics. In Aachen, the study examines three central public spaces—Frankenberger Park, Moltkepark, and Neumarkt—as well as the Driescher Hof neigh-bourhood, located on the city's periphery. In Diyarbakır, the research focuses on Dağ Kapı Square and the parks surrounding the Diyarbakır Walls. Each of these spaces is shaped by unique power dynamics, where patterns of social behaviour, cultural norms, and spatial arrangements influence how people interact with and use these areas. These dynamics contribute to the distinct social interactions and meanings that emerge within each space. The study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore these dynamics, including participatory observation, behaviour mapping, questionnaires with users, expert interviews, and an analysis of cultural and social factors. This comprehensive approach provides a deeper understanding of how social norms, gender roles, and power relations shape the use and design of public spaces. It highlights how playful activities within these spaces can challenge the established order, offering opportunities for more inclusive, participatory, and dynamic interactions. The re-search posits that integrating play into urban design can foster greater user engagement and create spaces that are more responsive to the diverse needs of the community. By centering play as a transformative force in public space design, this study offers a new paradigm that prioritizes inclusivity, spontaneity, and active citizen participation. It highlights how play can reshape urban environments by fostering social interaction, encouraging creative exploration, and challenging conventional boundaries between work, leisure, public, and private life. Public spaces should not only be sites of observation but also environments where individuals actively engage, adapt, and claim ownership. This research demonstrates that integrating play into urban life can cultivate dynamic, evolving spaces that respond to the everyday needs of di-verse communities. By embracing play as a core element of public space, cities can foster deeper social connections, support cultural expression, and create more inclusive, engaging, and sustainable urban environments.
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)11
%9 Dissertation / PhD Thesis
%R 10.18154/RWTH-2025-10352
%U https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/1022914