Suna kıraç street ethnobiology

Suna kıraç street ethnobiology //Urban Coexistence & Cat Shelters 

_by Sude Gedikoğlu & Pelinsu Özyiğit

This study presents an ethnobiological analysis of the symbiotic relationship between street cats and local residents in Suna Kıraç Dead-End Street, Şişli. The project documents how urban voids are claimed by non-human inhabitants and how the community organizes this "shared habitat" through informal social networks.

The research maps the typology of cat shelters, the zones of interaction between humans and cats, and the seasonal challenges faced by the community (such as odors, wasps, and weather conditions). Focusing on the area around Yakamoz Dormitories, the project treats this informal "care network" not merely as a random occurrence, but as a form of spontaneous urban design and social organization managed via digital tools (WhatsApp groups).

• The morphological analysis of the street reveals the intersection points of cats and humans. The mapping distinguishes between 'Normal Interaction Zones' and feeding/shelter-focused 'High Interaction Zones.' The current shelter solutions are vernacular structures created from waste materials and discarded furniture.

• The sustainability of care in the neighborhood is maintained through a resident WhatsApp group. This social diagram defines the roles within the community: 'The Caregiver,' 'The Complainer,' 'The Problem Solver,' and passive observers. Iconic neighborhood cats, such as Dombik and Kalpli, sit at the center of this social network.

• In-depth interviews with local residents (Mrs. Yasemin and Mrs. Banu) reveal the evolution of the shelters. The shift from wooden structures—built to protect against winter winds—to plastic boxes in the summer due to smell and wasp issues, highlights a user-centered, adaptive, and vernacular design process driven by seasonal needs.

     

The street is not defined solely by its physical boundaries but by its actors. The project categorizes the residents based on their level of interaction with the site and the animals. This cast of characters ranges from 'Active Sustainers' (The Caregiver, The Elder Feeder) who maintain the shelters, to 'Antagonists' (The Complainer) who view the animals as a nuisance, and 'Passive Observers' (Hotel workers) who witness the daily cycle without interfering.

In-depth interviews with key local actors (Mrs. Yasemin and Mrs. Banu) reveal the evolution of the shelters based on trial and error. The residents initially commissioned wooden shelters made from leftover materials to protect cats from the north wind. However, due to issues with smell, wasps, and neighbor complaints in the summer, they transitioned to plastic boxes. This narrative highlights how environmental factors and social friction directly dictate the material and form of these informal urban structures.