Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the Istanbul informal housing settlement and its processes, structures and pattern language as a modern settlement typology in generative urban design theory. It explains the generative urban design theory. Generative design theories are relatively young, but generatively built environments have a long history. The book discusses the generative structures, patterns and processes in Karanfilköy and Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It analyses the Nikos Salingaros' arithmetic function to measure the degrees of life and complexity of buildings in Karanfilkoy, Fatih Sultan Mehmet and in test cases for construct validity. The book evaluates the generative development processes in Karanfilkoy and Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Generative urban design processes are step-by-step, incremental development processes that adapt to existing conditions and unfold over time. It contains the generative urban design theory and its implications for Istanbul informal housing.