7 Iklim 7 Bolge Architectural Competition – Mediterranean Region
Year2017
LocationHatay, Turkey
ClientMinistry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change
StatusCompleted
TypologyResidential, Urban Design
TeamAli Önalp, Burak Yardımcı, Erhan Arslan, Güney Gültekin
This project, which won first prize in the national architectural design competition held for the Dörtyol district of Hatay, was developed as a result of an approach sensitive to the unique social and spatial dynamics of the city.
The project aims to create a human-scale living environment where individuals can feel a sense of belonging and establish social relationships. This approach is inspired by Kurt Lewin’s “life space” theory and is based on the idea of creating spaces where individuals can live integrated with their physical and social environments. Against the fragmented, dense, and profit-driven developments frequently seen in contemporary cities, the main goal of the project is to develop a healthier and more participatory neighborhood layout.
The project site is located at the intersection of two important transportation axes of Dörtyol — Abdi İpekçi Street and Şehit Polis Necati Kesin Boulevard — and is surrounded by urban focal points such as government institutions, schools, parks, and places of worship. In this context, the project is designed to establish a physical and functional unity with the surrounding area.
The main spine of the project is a pedestrian-oriented promenade extending east-west. Along this axis, buildings such as schools, mosques, health, and cultural centers that are part of daily life are lined up. Defined public squares, courtyards, and semi-open spaces surrounding the promenade ensure spatial continuity. The promenade is completed in the north with a larger urban square associated with the mosque and healthcare facilities.
The housing blocks are designed with a fragmented, permeable layout that allows natural light and air circulation, diverging from the classical urban block logic. Wide gaps between the blocks preserve privacy, increase natural lighting, and provide climatic comfort. Transitional spaces supported by courtyard typologies and overhangs create shaded areas suitable for the hot climate, enhancing user comfort.
The approximately 960-meter-long project area is planned to be implemented in four phases from west to east. The first phase starts with the marketplace and core residential areas; the second phase includes the mosque, cultural, and healthcare buildings; the third phase proposes educational buildings and sports areas. In the fourth phase, existing trees are preserved, and urban voids around office buildings and the courthouse are defined.
