Today, I had the pleasure of giving a seminar to the graduation project students (Jury A) at Istanbul Technical University, Department of Architecture. It was inspiring to discuss strategies for ecology and coexistence in my hometown, Famagusta. Wishing all these future architects the best as they develop their proposals for this semester’s challenge: BEYOND THE…
Tag: Ecocity
Famagusta’s Voices: Advocating for Peace Amid Division
One island and half a century of division. Four people, born at different times in the same city and into different universes, share the same pain: the division of our island, our city, and involuntary relocations. We also share the same passions: a love for the sea, the smell of orange blossoms, and a dedication…
Praxis of Urban Peacebuilding in Famagusta Cyprus
Bogac, C. (2023). Praxis of urban peacebuilding in Famagusta Cyprus . Journal of Urban Research and Development, 4(01), 5–15. Retrieved from https://ojs.emu.edu.tr/index.php/jurd/article/view/447 Abstract Urban design and development have experienced significant changes, shifting away from traditional top-down decision-making methods. This shift has emphasized the importance of community engagement and participatory design, particularly in contested cities. Famagusta, a city…
Guest lecture on the vision of an eco polis
I was a guest lecturer today at the German University in Cairo. I would like to thank Dr. Covarino for inviting me to share my insights on ecocity and find a chance to negotiate the ecological and sustainability dimensions of tourist cities. Two amazing studios in parallel coordinated by Dr. Silvia Covarino in Egypt and…
“If the Varosha is re-opened, people should touch their homes, breath there…”
The new initiative of the government regarding to the Closed Varosha excited the Famagustians. Environmental Psychologist Ceren Boğaç from the Famagusta Ecocity Project spoke to the Cyprus Post about the traumas created by Closed Varosha and the project. Boğaç said if Varosha is re-opened, the first thing that people should do after all those…
Urban peace building with community
Yesterday I was together with a group of International Relations and Global Politics students from the American University of Rome, who were in Cyprus for a study visit with their professors Irene Caratelli and Cecilia Sottilotta. I am happy to share the FamagustaEcocityProject‘s vision for an integrated and sustainable city, as well as our approach for…
Building a peaceful co-existince together
How can we empower the voice of the people for the unification of Cyprus? How can we show two communities that unlike the “deadlock”, something different, something sustainable can be done in this island? We talked about our inspirations, strategies and will to build a peaceful co-existince together in Cyprus with Raphaelle Vivent from news…
Review on Cypriot Cities on EL PAIS
Interesting review on Cypriot cities, especially with a special focus on Famagusta and Eastern Mediterranean University through the narrative of our respectful rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam (3:30’). And final remarks from me (3:53’) on the sustainable future of the Cyprus: Famagusta Ecocity Project. Thanks to EL PAIS!
Stories for Peace
We shared two ‘peace’ stories with the editor in chief of http://www.coastalseekers.com Amelia and her partner Josh. This inspiring couple created an online platform for travel video/ bloggers to share their stories. There are many ways for peace making; art, architecture, storytelling, permaculture, economy and many more. Our first story came from art in which…
Cyprus: The Trapped Treasures of a Divided Island
»Source: Euronews “Good morning everybody, welcome to this amazing walking and talking tour of the wonderful city of Famagusta,” says archaeologist and art historian guide Anna Marangou. As always, she and her fellow guide Orhan have words in Greek and Turkish to welcome their party. Their bi-communal efforts was one of the examples recognized by the Stelios…
How a ghost town embodies the Cypriot divide
»Source: Al Jazeera As political negotiations continue, one group is pushing to revitalise the long-abandoned district of Varosha. by Megan O’Toole Famagusta, Cyprus – Four decades ago, time froze in the coastal Cypriot district of Varosha. Eggs were still boiling on hot stovetops. Children’s toys remained strewn across living-room floors. Clothes were left on their hangers inside…
Peace making, Freedom, Equality and The Famagusta Ecocity Project
European Parliament definitely needs such brave and ambitious people! I had an amazing day with Berta Herrero talking about the current situation in the island and arround, peace making, freedom, equality, diversity, democracy and of course The Famagusta Ecocity Project. The Meditteranean spirit bounds people beyond the countries; it must be the sea…
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