Archive & Observations

Writing & Research Updates

Explorations at the intersection of urban data science, spatial planning, and algorithmic geography. A ledger of ongoing projects and theoretical inquiries.

12 min read

The Ghost in the Machine: Navigating Synthetic Urbanism

As generative AI begins to influence urban design, we must question the provenance of the data that builds our digital twins. This essay examines the risk of recursive bias in metropolitan simulations and the necessity for human-centric ground-truthing in high-stakes planning environments.

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08 min read

Topographic Layers and Socio-Economic Friction

Using GIS-based mobility data to map the invisible barriers within the modern megacity. How physical topography and infrastructure legacy create pockets of isolation that standard economic models often fail to capture.

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15 min read

The Cartographic Ledger: A New Methodology

Proposing a shift from static maps to dynamic ledgers, systems that record every transactional shift in the urban fabric. A deep dive into the technical requirements for building truly reactive planning dashboards.

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06 min read

Notes on Algorithmic Governance

Brief observations on the implementation of automated zoning laws in Northern European cities. The balance between efficiency and the preservation of historical character.

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Özgün BaLaban

Data scientist and urban researcher focusing on the synthesis of geography, design, and computational sociology.

© Özgün Balaban. The Cartographic Ledger.

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