Urban regeneration

Urban regeneration, called kentsel dönüşüm in Turkey, is the renewal of buildings and districts that are worn out, vulnerable to earthquakes or no longer fit for purpose. In Turkey the term is closely tied to disaster risk: buildings identified as risky are demolished and replaced with new ones built to current regulations. The process can involve a single building or a large area spanning many plots.

How it works for a single building

The first step is usually a risk assessment carried out by authorised bodies. Once the building is officially classed as risky, the owners decide how to proceed, often by signing a contract with a developer who builds in exchange for a share of the new units. Then come vacating and demolition, new drawings, the permit and construction. The majority needed for decisions, the rights of owners and the support available are set by the relevant law and regulation. Because these rules can change, it pays to follow the current legislation.

A design opportunity

Regeneration is more than swapping an old building for a new one. Merging neighbouring plots, solving parking, adding green space and rethinking the relationship with the street are what separate a good scheme from an ordinary one. When owners can see their future flats and the building’s place on the street in advance, reaching a shared decision becomes easier. At this stage, architectural visualization is one of the most effective ways to communicate.