Sokak Otları Urban Weeds
"Sokak Otları" (Urban Weeds) is a documentation project that examines the growth patterns of ruderal plants within various urban environments subjected to ecological disturbances. The work encompasses a range of urban spaces, including derelict structures, unoccupied parking areas, cracks in roadways, and railway corridors. Bayraktar scrutinizes the formation and application of categories such as "invasive" and "native," considering their anthropogenic and ecological influences.
The investigation entails a historical analysis of the plants, tracing their migration and distribution patterns, which are closely tied to human movements and environmental shifts. The work documents the ability of these plants to adapt and propagate in response to anthropogenic activities and alterations in their habitats. The research also details the interactions between these ruderal species and urban infrastructures, illustrating the plants’ capacity to endure and proliferate in urban settings that are typically unfavorable to natural vegetation.
Workshop
“Creative Field Mapping of Urban Plant Ecologies”, Global Humanities Summer School (Global Plant Lives), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, 2026
Research
2019 Berlin Senate Residency Program (supported by DEPO & nGbK), ZK/U, Berlin
2018-19 The Istanbul Biennial Production and Research Programme
Publication
Murata, Ayako. Green Watcher [緑をみる人]. Tokyo: Raichosha, 2025. 384 pp. ISBN 978-4-8441-3808-2
Press
Istanbul Ruderalleri: Sokak Otlari, Port, Sayi 2, 2019
Kente yayilan bitkiler: Sokak otlari, Yesil Gazete, Yasemin Ulgen ile Roportaj, 13.10.2018
Kentin Dogasinin Pesinde: Sokak otlari, Merve Akbas, Yeni Safak Pazar Eki, 30.12.2018
Broadcast
Botanitopya: Sokak Otlari ve Onlarin Kent Ekolojisindeki Yeri, Benan Kapucu / Acik Radyo, 23.02.2020
Mekan ve Insan (55): Kerem Ozan Bayraktar ile sokak otlari, Melis Oguz / Medyascope, 22.04.2019
Biofilia, Nurhan Keleer / Acik Radyo, 07.02.2019
Gecenin Icinden, TRT Radyo Ankara, 08.09.2020
Gecenin Icinden, TRT Radyo Istanbul, 28.04.2020
Seminar & Talk
“Instagram Anlatılarında Doga Algisi: Kent Bitkileri”, Turkiye Cevre Calismalari Kongresi, Ankara, 28.06.2024
“Acik Seminer - Ortak Yasam Uzerine Arastirmalar: Dagitik Yasam”, Cevrimici Seminer, Organizasyon: Murat Alat, Istanbul Ozel Saint-Joseph Fransiz Lisesi & Pose, Istanbul, 16.05.2020
“Sokak otlari”, Istanbul Universitesi Peyzaj Mimarligi Bolumu, Istanbul, 21.03.2019