Urban Sketching 101

Participants, in small groups, act as a municipality’s Social Services Budget Committee, allocating a limited budget to real-life inspired scenario cards. Faced with events like sudden floods or urgent shelter renovations, teams debate priorities, trade-offs, and social consequences before deciding. The tabletop simulation makes the allocation–equity–impact balance tangible while surfacing ethical dilemmas and stakeholder perspectives. An expert from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality closes with a debrief, interpreting potential outcomes and offering improvement tips.

Note: Participants are expected to bring their own materials for this workshop.

Facilitators: 

Aysun Altındağ, Illustrator, Children's Book Author, Industrial Designer, Lecturer, Urbansketcher, Istanbul Bilgi University. 

Burcu Aslan Okat, Research Assistant, Kocaeli University.

Location: Creative Hub, C9

Participant Materials List

Suggested materials:

-Watercolors or colored pencils

-A water brush or a regular brush with a container for water

-A notebook or paper in a size that allows comfortable work; a hardboard (e.g., duralite) to support the paper if needed

-Drawing tools such as pencils, colored pencils, ink pens, and an eraser

Participants may select from the materials listed above or bring other supplies that best suit their own style.