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@PHDTHESIS{Isik:1022914,
author = {Isik, Pelin},
othercontributors = {Reicher, Christa and Lohrberg, Frank},
title = {{R}ethinking public space through play theory: a study of
social and spatial dynamics in {A}achen and {D}iyarbakır},
school = {Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen},
type = {Dissertation},
address = {Aachen},
publisher = {RWTH Aachen University},
reportid = {RWTH-2025-10352},
pages = {1 Online-Ressource : Illustrationen},
year = {2025},
note = {Veröffentlicht auf dem Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen
University; Dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische
Hochschule Aachen, 2025},
abstract = {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.},
cin = {212410},
ddc = {710},
cid = {$I:(DE-82)212410_20190501$},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)11},
doi = {10.18154/RWTH-2025-10352},
url = {https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/1022914},
}
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