Highlights
Project Name: Revitalization of Hatay
Location: Antakya, Hatay, Turkiye
Size: 76.108 m2
Status: Detailed Design Completed
Client: Turkiye Design Council
Type: Residential, Commercial & Landscape
Typology: City Center Quality Housing
Photo credit: SOUR
Architects: SOUR
Introduction
In February 2023, the historic city of Antakya in Türkiye faced devastation after being struck by two powerful earthquakes. Known for its vibrant culture and architectural heritage, Antakya was left in ruins, displacing thousands of residents and casting a shadow over its future. However, a new chapter of hope is being written as SOUR, a global design studio, leads an innovative project to revive the city. This initiative, guided by a deep understanding of community and culture, aims to restore Antakya while reimagining its urban landscape for future generations.
Community-Centered Urban Regeneration
SOUR’s approach centers on the community, recognizing that any sustainable regeneration must begin with the voices and experiences of local residents. In collaboration with the Türkiye Design Council, SOUR initiated a co-design process grounded in thorough field research and ethnographic interviews in key areas such as Antakya, Samanda?, Serinyol, and Defne Harbiye. The team worked alongside psychologists, anthropologists, and trauma experts to ensure a sensitive, trauma-informed approach. The insights gathered from this research formed the basis of a comprehensive master plan, which was further refined through the input of a diverse co-creation panel.
Shifting Paradigms in Post-Disaster Urban Design
The regeneration project represents a paradigm shift in how cities are rebuilt after disasters. Instead of focusing solely on physical infrastructure, SOUR places emphasis on the emotional and social needs of the community. The design is rooted in empathy, aiming to create spaces where healing, resilience, and human dignity are prioritized. Through this approach, SOUR is setting a new standard for urban design in post-disaster contexts, offering a blueprint that can be applied in other cities facing similar challenges.
Project Details and Collaboration
The “Revitalization of Hatay” project covers a total area of 76,108 square meters and has reached the detailed design stage. In collaboration with the Türkiye Design Council, SOUR’s multidisciplinary team, led by Inanc Eray and Pinar Guvenc, has been responsible for designing a plan that integrates residential, commercial, and landscape elements. The project also brings together an impressive array of collaborators, from structural and mechanical engineers to landscape architects and community experts, ensuring a holistic and well-rounded approach.
Conclusion
The revival of Antakya is more than a construction project—it’s a model for how community involvement, empathy, and expert collaboration can guide urban regeneration. SOUR’s work in Türkiye exemplifies a new way of thinking about cities in the wake of disaster, where design is not only about rebuilding but about fostering resilience, healing, and a sense of belonging.
