Hatay Historical Center Urban Design

Year2024

LocationHatay, Turkey

ClientMinistry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change

StatusOngoing

TypologyUrban Design

TeamAli Önalp, Burak Yardımcı, Berk Günay, Doğan Elen, Halil İbrahim Bayındır, Melis Üsküner, Sedanur Kambolat, Yeşim Demir

Antakya is an ancient city that has hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, standing out with its strategic location and cultural diversity. Founded around 300 BC by the Seleucids, the city became a significant center of trade and culture during the Roman era. Its proximity to the Orontes River and the Mediterranean positioned Antakya as a key junction between eastern and western trade routes.

Maintaining its cosmopolitan character during the Ottoman period, Antakya entered a phase of modernization with the establishment of the Republic. The illumination of Kurtuluş Street in the 1950s and subsequent infrastructure developments symbolized this transformation. Despite all these layers of change, Antakya continues to preserve its historical identity while remaining a cultural and economic hub in the region.

In the redevelopment of the plots along Kurtuluş Street, the historical fabric of Antakya was preserved by taking inspiration from the French urban plan. This plan, shaped through analysis of existing structures and environmental conditions, aimed to create a modern living environment with respect for historical heritage. Building heights were limited to two stories to maintain the traditional architectural scale.

A30 Current State 1
A30 Proposed Design 1
A30 Current State 2
A30 Proposed Design 2

Plan Diagram

Plan Typology 1

Plan Typology 2

Plan Typology 3

Stairs Typology 1

Stairs Typology 2

Stairs Typology 3

Window Typology 1

Window Typology 2

Window Typology 3

Window Typology 4

Window Typology 5

Window Typology 6

Window Typology 7

Roof Typology

Street Typology

Current Protected Areas
Roman Period Urban Settlement
Excavations and Remains
Water Traces
Regions/Neighborhoods 1
Regions/Neighborhoods 2
Current Cadastral Maps
French Maps
Current Building Traces
Conservation Zoning Plan
Conservation Zoning Ground Floor Plan
Image 1
Image 2

The new plan introduced both residential and commercial units within the parcels, while perimeter structures were allocated for commercial use. This approach transformed Kurtuluş Street from a simple transit route into a vibrant axis of social and economic interaction.

A29.3 Current State 1
A29.3 Proposed Design 1
A29.3 Current State 2
A29.3 Proposed Design 2
A29.3 Current State 3
A29.3 Proposed Design 3

Special attention was given to preserving registered heritage buildings, while newly designed structures were integrated in harmony with historical values. Courtyard houses with steps and terraces reflected traditional Antakya architecture, strengthening the city’s spatial identity. Additionally, cul-de-sacs were preserved in their original form as outlined in the French plan, ensuring the continuity of the city’s characteristic urban texture.

Plot A30
Plot A29.3
Plot A29.2
Plot A29.1
All Plots

This holistic planning approach offers a balanced transformation that both protects Antakya’s historical and cultural heritage and meets the demands of contemporary urban life. The renewal of Kurtuluş Street serves as a bridge between the city’s past and future, enabling a harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity.