New Hatay Mobilization: Work Continues on the City’s Revival
In Hatay, which suffered great destruction in the February 6 earthquakes, design and planning work for the revival of the city center is continuing. In the process voluntarily undertaken by the Türkiye Design Foundation, experts from Türkiye and from cities around the world are coming together to work on projects for Hatay’s future.
As part of the work carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the city’s master plan, the design of the city center and architectural projects are being prepared. At the heart of the work is not only constructing new buildings, but restoring Hatay while preserving its urban identity and cultural memory.
Preserving Hatay’s Urban Memory Is a Priority
At a workshop held in Antakya, architects, urban planners and experts from different disciplines came together to evaluate the work under way. One of the main topics of the meeting was preserving Hatay’s spirit and its inherited urban fabric in the new planning process.
The expectations of earthquake survivors were also addressed as an important part of the process. Residents attending the workshop put their questions to the experts about how new housing will relate to existing living areas, the location of homes and workplaces, the future of lightly damaged buildings and the resettlement process.
The work aims to protect the existing ownership rights of rights holders and to adopt an in-place transformation approach wherever possible.
Mehmet Kalyoncu: We Are Working With the Best
Mehmet Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Board of the Türkiye Design Foundation, highlighted the international experience of the design and architecture teams taking part in the project. Noting that experts from cities such as London, Madrid and New York are also contributing to the process, Kalyoncu stated that creating a safe, high-quality city is one of the core goals.
Stating that implementation of the project will be undertaken by the state, Kalyoncu also emphasized the importance of planning cities not only through decisions taken at the center, but by taking citizens’ needs and expectations into account.
The Türkiye Design Foundation’s work for Hatay is planned to continue for a few more months, after which a comprehensive roadmap will be presented.
The Goal: A Better Antakya
The project prepared for the revival of Hatay aims not merely to recreate the existing city as it was, but to build a safer, more livable and sustainable city.
Key elements of the planning approach include enabling earthquake-affected residents to continue their lives without relocating wherever possible, revitalizing the old city center and creating new commercial areas. It also aims to create new employment areas and to reduce traffic in the city through transportation improvements.
Increasing green and public spaces, creating areas for socializing and interaction, developing shared-use spaces and reducing building density are also among the project’s core goals.
Plans include reconsidering development around the Asi (Orontes) River and stream beds, opening up the stream beds and creating new spaces where the city can breathe. The project also aims to increase the amount of green space per person and expand the capacity of open areas that can be used in emergencies.
The work carried out by the Türkiye Design Foundation and the experts contributing to the project aims to create a new approach to urban planning that preserves Hatay’s connection with its past while also meeting the needs of the future.