The Psychological Effects of Transforming Urban Structures and Modern Urbanization

Urban restorations initially began at the turn of the 19th century to reflect corporate identity images. Later, with the end of war eras and the onset of the Industrial Revolution, urban structures required reorganization, much like many other things that had to be transformed (Demirsoy; 2006: 29). Following the 2000s, urban transformation practices gained further momentum due to growing populations.

While cities sometimes transform through conscious, deliberate willpower, they are also forced to transform due to natural disasters. Along with physical effects, urban transformation has brought—and continues to bring—psychological and sociological impacts. As Roberts and Sykes stated, "urban regeneration is a multi-actor process" (Çark, 2006:39-40). If these actors are not involved, transformations do not yield successful or positive results. The toll of negative outcomes profoundly affects human psychology, giving rise to depression, anxiety disorders, and burnout.

The Overlooked Nuances of the Human Psyche

The fine details of human psychology are rarely examined within the concrete, heavy details of a transforming city. The concrete realities of urban planning are often ignored alongside the chaos in traffic brought by disorder, negative thoughts projected onto slopes turned into concrete jungles, and disconnected thinking. As cities turn into modern metropolises, many sacrifices are made due to the exclusion of key actors. In other words, reckless transformations cause serious problems, debates, economic struggles, insecurities, and much more.

With the demands of a rapidly changing world, urban transformation is a reality; while it provides advantages and opportunities, it also brings disadvantages. The abundance of opportunities has triggered migration to cities, and the influx of migration has bloated urban populations. Fast-growing cities have sought to bring modernization along with them. However, the differences between existing urbanites and those uprooted from their lands—the subtle yet tangible distinctions—have been ignored. Those who can no longer live as they did on their own lands face conflicts amidst the city's various dichotomies (sexuality-aggression), causing them to experience and carry psychological issues. In Sigmund Freud's terms, this is a neurosis.

"Neurosis is the contradiction between the repressor and the repressed."

The repressor makes one forget the repressed, pushing it into the unconscious (Sevinç, 2019). In modernization, everything old is forgotten; in its place, a national and official history is written.

As Yavuz Erten points out in his book Karanlık Suretler (Dark Faces), the modern city is the city of neurosis and hysteria. Another consequence of the rising population brought by transformation is the fracturing of relationships. This creates a schizophrenic environment. At the same time, the modern city is the city of loneliness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while transforming and modernizing cities to keep pace with a rapidly developing world yields positive outcomes, it also brings negative consequences. Human psychology, affected by these negative outcomes, gives rise to mental health issues. Alongside individual psychology, it deeply impacts environmental psychology, which encompasses concepts such as "place attachment," "place identity," "privacy," "spatial perception," and "territoriality." These impacts occur when key actors fail to get involved, ultimately killing the advantages of the modern city. To prevent advantages from turning into disadvantages, actors must be actively engaged.

We cannot stop the ongoing transformations in the modern cities we live in, but we can learn how to live with them. If you feel you are struggling during this process and cannot cope on your own, you can overcome these difficulties with professional support.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Watch the movie 'THX 1138': A sci-fi film deeply related to space and environmental psychology.

Review Roberts and Sykes' Principles: They outlined eight core principles to consider regarding the statement, "urban regeneration is a multi-actor process." Reviewing these points can be highly beneficial for professionals involved in the urban transformation process.