- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,601
| TYPE | Infrastructure |
| BUILDER | Turkiye |
| CLIENT | Turkiye |
| SITE LOCATION | Turkiye |
| SECTOR | Facility |
| PROJECT NAME | Public Housing and Urban Renewal Scheme |
| PROJECT COST | 600,000,000.00 |
| COMPLETION DATE | 16/03/2026 |
| PROJECT INFORMATION | This project establishes a targeted public housing and urban renewal program in the metropolitan areas of İzmir, Kayseri, and Diyarbakır, designed to address housing affordability, urban fragmentation, and declining public space quality. The initiative aligns with Türkiye’s broader objectives of social cohesion, sustainable development, and resilient urban growth, while responding to the distinct geographic, cultural, and economic conditions of each city. The program adopts a pedestrian-centered urban model inspired by the post-1992 Barcelona urban renewal framework, emphasizing human-scale development, integrated public space, mixed-use neighborhoods, and strong civic identity. Rather than isolated housing blocks, the project prioritizes the creation of complete urban districts where housing, commerce, public services, and cultural life coexist within walkable distances. II. Budget Allocation and Financial Structure The total allocation of ₺0.6 billion will be distributed as follows: İzmir: ₺220 million Kayseri: ₺170 million Diyarbakır: ₺210 million Funding will be directed toward land acquisition where necessary, construction of public housing units, development of pedestrian infrastructure, public squares and green corridors, and the rehabilitation of existing urban fabric. Municipal co-financing and in-kind contributions, such as publicly owned land and infrastructure integration, will be leveraged to maximize impact without exceeding the central allocation. Housing will be constructed using mid-rise typologies ranging from four to seven stories, avoiding high-density towers in favor of perimeter blocks and courtyard-centered buildings. This approach ensures both density efficiency and social interaction while maintaining a human-scale urban environment. Each residential block will be designed around shared internal courtyards that provide natural light, ventilation, and communal green space. Ground floors will be reserved for social uses such as neighborhood clinics, childcare facilities, cooperatives, and small-scale retail, reinforcing street-level vitality. Locally sourced materials to reduce costs and support regional economies Seismic-resilient structural systems exceeding national safety standards Passive climate design, including shading, cross-ventilation, and thermal mass A minimum of 40 percent of units will be designated for low-income households, with the remainder allocated to middle-income families under regulated pricing, ensuring socioeconomic diversity rather than concentrated poverty. Central to the project is the transformation of selected districts into pedestrian-first environments. Vehicular traffic will be deliberately limited, with streets designed primarily for walking, cycling, and public transit access. Key features include: Narrowed roadways and shared-street designs that naturally slow traffic Continuous shaded sidewalks lined with trees and arcades Car-free interior blocks connected by pedestrian corridors Integrated bicycle networks linking housing areas to transit nodes Parking will be consolidated into underground or peripheral facilities, freeing surface space for public life. This model mirrors Barcelona’s superblock concept, adapted to Turkish urban patterns and cultural practices. Urban renewal efforts will focus not on demolition-led redevelopment, but on selective rehabilitation and reintegration. Existing structures of historical or cultural value will be preserved and repurposed for community use, particularly in Diyarbakır’s older districts and İzmir’s inner neighborhoods. Each project area will include: A central public square designed for markets, gatherings, and civic events Linear green corridors connecting housing clusters to schools, mosques, and transit Cultural facilities such as libraries, workshops, and youth centers These spaces are intended to function as daily social infrastructure rather than symbolic landmarks, reinforcing community ownership and long-term maintenance. İzmir will emphasize coastal-adjacent renewal and transit-oriented housing, integrating tram and ferry access with dense, walkable neighborhoods that reduce car dependency. Kayseri will focus on structured expansion zones, using grid-based layouts and shaded pedestrian axes to counter climatic extremes while reinforcing commercial activity at street level. Diyarbakır will prioritize post-conflict urban stabilization, combining new housing with rehabilitation of existing neighborhoods to strengthen social cohesion and restore civic trust. The project will be implemented with phased construction allowing early occupancy and continuous evaluation. Local design councils, including architects, planners, and community representatives, will ensure that developments remain context-sensitive and publicly accountable. By completion, the initiative will deliver: Approximately 6,000 new or rehabilitated housing units Pedestrian-centered neighborhoods serving over 25,000 residents Reduced urban sprawl and transportation emissions Stronger social integration and improved quality of urban life This project represents a shift in Turkish public housing policy from quantity-driven construction toward urban quality, dignity, and long-term resilience, embedding European best practices within a distinctly Turkish civic framework. |
