Platform [Ground Zero]: Unveiling the Hidden Dynamics of Urban Inquiry — 04.12.2024

Modern urban geography seeks to explore a broad spectrum of social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges and phenomena related to cities. Yet, what is frequently overlooked are the values that extend beyond urban structures, social systems, and economic or cultural interactions. These values, constrained by political, economic, and social boundaries, are often neglected, and in some cases, they are inverted into counter-values or suffer cultural denial as a result of restrictive policies and societal norms.

The lack of an inquisitive approach within urban planning and management—which should be rooted in social frameworks and human-centric values—is significantly influenced by these boundaries. This oversight has led to the marginalization of critical issues such as urban militarization, the impact of war on cities, modern slavery, violence and collective denial, social alienation, polarization, discrimination, and cultural fragmentation. The core question is not just the absence of addressing these issues, but why there is a persistent disregard for questioning and examining them, a matter that warrants deeper analysis.

This research shifts focus from commonly saturated urban questions and structures that yield no novel insights. Instead, it emphasizes the process of observing and understanding urban issues through the dynamic interplay between society, the city, and urban planners. This interaction is seen as a crucial starting point for fostering dialogue and facilitating critical examination.