SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS IN TURKEY Zübeyde Özlem Parlak Biçer* *Faculty of Architecture, Erciyes University, Turkey parlakoz@yahoo.com, parlako@erciyes.edu.tr ABSTRACT With the scientific and technological developments in today s world, architecture is closely associated with new building and spatial organizations like science and technology organizations. These science and technology organizations make significant contributions to architecture, especially on higher viability, environmental sensitivity, and sustainable environment. The science and technology organizations, which are becoming increasingly widespread in the world, are also very popular in Turkey. This paper is briefly giving information about science and technology organizations and introducing the main science and technology organizations in Turkey. Keywords: Science, Technology, Organization, Development. INTRODUCTION Although science and technology seems to be a solution for poor economies, indeed, it is increasing the socioeconomic levels between developed and undeveloped countries. Science and technology may be responsible from prosperity of developed and destitution of undeveloped countries (Özgen, 1996). Definition and Varieties of Science and Technology Organizations Science and technology organizations have systems, which support new ideas and inventions, prepare suitable working conditions and bring enterprising together in a comfortable site (EGÝAD, 1994). Also, science and technology organizations set up and develop science and technology dependent industrial enterprises and give technical, administrative, financial, commercial and juridical supports to them. Science and technology organizations, founded by cooperation 29
Zübeyde Özlem Parlak Biçer of universities, industry and government, work for new technology transformation to industry, so the technology developed in specialized organizations may be commercial (Cebeci, 1997). Science and technology organizations are founded in various formations due to their aim and function: Science Parks: These parks are in close relationship with universities and concentrate on scientific researches and technological developments (Ay, et al., 1997). Technology Parks: These centers study on development and applicability of industrial technologies (Ay & Özbay, 1997). Enterprise Foundation Centers: The aim of these centers is to found new enterprises and improve the perspective and capacity of them. Technology Development Centers: By technology based new enterprises, these centers support the technological development (Güleç, 1994). Technopolises: Technopolises are the places where new technology is developed by cooperation between public and private sector and also these places are commercial centers for new technology (Özgen, 1996). Technoparks: Techno parks are centers where new technology-based enterprises are founded, small and medium-sized enterprises find new technologies and where big enterprises can improve their products (Ay & Özbay, 1997). Research Parks: These parks are the places where prototype productions are done. Research units of enterprises cooperate with a university or a research institute and start studies on science based technology (Güçlü, 1991). Science and Technology Organizations in World After the Second World War, the importance of science and technology was realized (Özgen, 1995). Science and technology organizations were first seen in 1951. Firms, which were working on various researches, settled in Silicone Valley in California-USA to found a research park. This park was followed by similar examples like Akademgodorok Science Town in Siberia-Soviet Union (1957), Sophia-Antipolis in Nice-France (1970) and Cambridge Science Park in Herriot Watt-England. These first centers were founded spontaneously. The number of science and technology organizations was little at the beginning, but this number gradually increased. The number of science-technology based spatial organizations in world reached approximately to one thousand in 1996 (Cebeci, 1997). Each one of these organizations has its own function but according to architecture, these organizations are also new building zones and urban areas. 30
1st International CIB Endorsed METU Postgraduate Conference Built Environment & Information Technologies, Ankara, 2006 Science and Technology Organizations in Turkey Foundation studies for science and technology organizations were started in late 1980 s in Turkey. The aims of these organizations were: high technological product development, new and small enterprise foundation and increasing employment (Kaymakçalan, 1997). Turkey recognized the importance of science and technology development policies later than other developed countries. Foundations like TÜBÝTAK have great contributions to these policies. In a study named Science-technology policy of Turkey, TÜBÝTAK emphasized the aim of Turkey s national science and technology policy as to improve the political capacity of science and technology in Turkey (TÜBÝTAK, 1997). During the first years of science and technology policy in Turkey, not only the necessity for science and technology organizations but also finding an appropriate model for science and technology organizations became important (Güçlü, 1991). First five science and technology organizations were founded in Ýstanbul Technical University (ÝTÜ), Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), Ege University, Anadolu University and Marmara Research Center (MAM) in TÜBÝTAK. Four organizations were founded with contributions of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Small and Medium Industry Development Organization (KOSGEB). TÜBÝTAK - Marmara Research Center founded a science and technology organization by its own resources. METU - TEK (Middle East Technical University Techno Park) is the first science and technology organization in Turkey, which was founded in August 1987. The aim of METU - TEK was to develop and increase university s functional capacity by using university s own resources. Therefore, units like Ýþ ve Yenilik Merkezi (Work and Novelty Center), Bilim-Teknoloji Parký (Science-Technology Park), and Üniversite-Sanayi Köprüsü (University-Industry Bridge) were founded as parts of METU-TEK (METU, 1996). TÜBÝTAK - MAM was founded in 1990 in Gebze. The aim of this center is to found and give technological support to new small and medium-sized industrial enterprises, which use modern technology and have respect to environment (Ay & Özbay, 1997). After the physical planning studies, the master plan of TÜBÝTAK-MAM was completed in 1995. Ýzmir Teknopark Anonim Þirketi - ÝTAÞ (Ýzmir Technopark Joint Stock Company) was founded as a share company between Iscar Group (Israel Techno Park Company) and 86 partnerships (Gün, 1988). The aim of ÝTAÞ is to develop national industry. It has a technology center, which can organize the cooperation between universities and industry (Ay & Özbay, 1997). 31
Zübeyde Özlem Parlak Biçer Anadolu Teknoloji Araþtýrma Parký Anonim Þirketi - ATAP (Anadolu Technology Research Park Joint Stock Company), which takes place in UNIDO support program, was founded in 1990 by 17 partnerships and the first part of master plan was finished in 1991. Anadolu University and Eskiþehir Sanayi Odasý - ESO (Eskiþehir Chamber of Industry and State Planning Organization) are the main partners of ATAP (Ay et al., 1997). Ýstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Küçük Orta Boy Sanayi Geliþtirme Birimi-ÝTÜ- KOSGEB Teknoloji Geliþtirme Merkezi (Ýstanbul Technical University-Small and Medium Industry Development Organization-Technology Development Center) was founded in 1991 and it is similar to METU-TEK (Ay & Özbay, 1997). In addition to these large foundations, various universities are trying to found new science and technology organizations. The science and technology organizations in Turkey are planned foundations. Foundation studies for new science and technology organizations are increasing in recent years. In Turkey, a science and technology organization is usually founded in a city which has a large university and a developed industry. METU- TEK, ÝTÜ-KOSGEB, ATAÞ, Çukurova, Erciyes and Selçuk science and technology organizations are founded in university campuses. TÜBÝTAK-MAM is founded in an industrial area and ÝTAÞ is founded in Alaçatý/Ýzmir where has natural environmental advantages. In Turkey, buildings for science and technology organizations are usually planned like public buildings and usually have one or two floors. Building structures are frequently reinforced concrete carcass systems and materials and details are usually poor. CONCLUSION Region characteristics of science and technology organizations in Turkey (Parlak, 1998); 1. Regions which have a developed industry and a university are preferred; 2. Regions, which have small and medium sized enterprises, are preferred; 3. Economic and industrial developed states are preferred; 4. States, which have markets for industrial products, are preferred; 5. Regions, which have, perfect communication systems between industry, university and commerce centers are preferred; 6. Industrial developed regions like South and West Anatolia are preferred. Middle Anatolia which has a potential for industrial development is preferred; 32
1st International CIB Endorsed METU Postgraduate Conference Built Environment & Information Technologies, Ankara, 2006 7. Regions that have natural, geographic, topographic, microclimatic and communication advantages. Settlement characteristics of science and technology organizations in Turkey (Parlak, 1998); 1. Other buildings in university campus affect the settlement characteristics of science and technology organizations; 2. Science and technology organizations think future when they settle in an area; 3. Science and technology organizations do not prefer to be a part of university campus; 4. Green environment is very important for Science and technology organizations; 5. Science and technology organizations usually have Research-Development laboratories near their own buildings. In conclusion, science and technology organizations, which are places for science and technology development, are new architectural formations and life units of future. Therefore, Turkey is giving big importance to science and technology organizations. REFERENCES AY, M., ÖZBAY, M. (1997), Dünyada ve Türkiye de Teknoparklar, Mühendis ve Makine Dergisi, TMMOB Makine Mühendisleri Odasý, (vol. 38) p. 445. CEBECÝ, Ö. (1997), Sanayi Teknoparklardan Nasýl Yararlanabilir, in Proceedings of Ýstanbul Sanayi Odasý Eðitim Seminerleri, Ýstanbul. EGÝAD (1994), 21. Yüzyýl Yaþam Tarzý Ýçinde Modern Teknoloji Parklarý ve Ýncubatörler, EGÝAD, Ýzmir. GÜÇLÜ, A. (1991), Teknoparklar ve Savunma Sanayinin Geliþtirilmesindeki Rolleri, Ankara Milli Savunma Bakanlýðý, unpublished Speciality Thesis, Ankara. GÜLEÇ, K. (1994), Türkiye ve Dünyadaki Teknolojik Geliþmeler, DPT, Ankara. GÜN, S. (1988), Ýzmir Teknopark Anonim Þirketi (ÝTAÞ), Petkim Dergisi, p. 62. KAYMAKÇALAN, Ö. (1997), Teknoloji Geliþtirme ve Transfer Aracý Olarak Teknoparklar; Dünya ve Türkiye den Örnekler, MAM Teknopark Projesi. ODTÜ (1996), Orta Doðu Teknik Üniversitesi Teknokenti, Ankara, Brochure. ÖZGEN, L. (1995), Sistemik Üretim Ýþbirliði Olarak Teknopolis, in Proceedings of 5. Ulusal Bölge Bilimi/Bölge Planlama Kongresi, Ankara. 33
Zübeyde Özlem Parlak Biçer ÖZGEN, L. (1996), Teknoloji ve Yeni Mekansal Organizasyonlarý, Çukurova Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlýk Fakültesi Dergisi, (vol. 11, no. 2) pp.105-127. PARLAK, Ö. (1998), Mimarlýkta Bilim-Teknoloji Tabanlý Mekansal Organizasyonlar, Çukurova Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, (unpublished Master s Thesis), Adana. TÜBÝTAK (1997), Türkiye nin Bilim ve Teknoloji Politikasý, p.107. TÜBÝTAK - Marmara Research Center (MRC), The Techno Park Project, Ankara, Brochure. http://www.metutech.metu.edu.tr/; METU Teknokent http://www.mam.gov.tr/; TÜBÝTAK Marmara Araþtýrma Merkezi http://www.itas.com.tr/; under construction http://www.atap.com.tr/; Eþkiþehir Teknoloji Geliþtirme Bölgesi http://www.ariteknokent.com.tr/; Arý Teknokent, Bilgi Teknoloji ve Ýnovasyon 34