LİVENARCH VIII, Trabzon, Turkey, 27 September - 29 November 2023, vol.3, pp.911-928
This paper is focused on examining the relationship between urban
memory and the concept of urban destruction. Also the legitimacy of
the parameters that effect the choice of targets of urban destruction,
which are already a part of urban memory, is questioned. In this respect
the concepts of urban memory and urban destruction are discussed
through literature review. Also, the motives of urban destruction are
classified. These motives are examined through striking cases, which are
sensational urban destruction cases that took place in the last two
decades. For each case, the architectural record chart of the
destructed building or urban area is prepared. This chart includes
information about the building date, architect, function, demolition
date, demolition reason and architectural value of the example. Also
the discussions took place in the architectural environment about each
case are mentioned. The costs of the destruction phase and whether
the targeted goals are achieved or not are also discussed for each
example. Finally, the outcomes of urban destruction which is focused on
a specific architectural period or the places of a specific social group
on the loss of urban memory and urban identity (this situation is
described as [de]generation with the intention of [re]generation) are
evaluated.