Authorities and architects are developing plans to rebuild the city of Antakya in response to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters.
Over 50,000 people died and millions more were displaced when two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.8 and 7.5 struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6 last year. The United Nations estimates the cost of rebuilding the region at over $100 billion. The city of Antakya (also known as Antioch), the capital of Hatay Province, is one of the hardest-hit areas in Turkey, with nearly 80% of its buildings destroyed beyond repair.
Rendering of the revitalized city of Antakya with a riverside view at the center. (Photo: Türkiye Design Council)
This damage is “beyond imagination,” according to Nicola Scaranaro of Foster + Partners, the architectural firm that announced the rebuilding and revitalization plans for the city last month, aiming to withstand earthquakes, floods, and various other natural disasters. Achieving this goal is easier said than done in a region that is prone to seismic activity. Last year’s event marked the seventh earthquake to devastate Antakya since the city was founded in the 4th century BC, according to Scaranaro.
The city lies nestled at the foot of Mount Habib Neccar in the valley of the Asi River. Its proximity to the river exacerbates the destructive impact of earthquakes due to a phenomenon known as soil liquefaction, where the ground loses its solidity and behaves more like a liquid. With countless houses built along the banks of the Asi River, flooding has long been a threat to Antakya residents. More than 45,000 inhabitants living on 2.5 million square meters were at risk of flooding prior to last year’s earthquake, according to estimates from Foster + Partners. The likelihood of natural disasters will increase in the context of the climate crisis.
Ensuring resilience against both recurring threats is a key consideration as the firm was commissioned by the Türkiye Design Council, a non-governmental organization, to lead an international coalition to develop a rebuilding strategy for the area six months after the earthquake. Architecture and street design serve as the first line of defense against earthquake impacts, including compact housing that can better withstand seismic activity compared to the large, L-shaped buildings that previously scattered Antakya.
Superblock neighborhoods inspired by areas in Barcelona will promote car-free zones, ensuring pathways for both emergency rescue services and residents to evacuate during disasters. This layout also benefits quality of life, resulting in lower traffic density and an increase in urban green spaces.
Green spaces play an essential role in flood prevention, with strips of land along the river designated as no-build zones. Instead, parks extending along the riverfront will fill these high-risk areas, serving as natural buffers when river waters overflow and absorbing floodwaters. Planting native species, creating green space networks, and establishing local public parks will provide critical habitats for flora and fauna, creating green spaces that allow wildlife to move freely. Such an approach will also help meet the goal of doubling per capita green space as outlined in the plan.
Construction is already underway as the plans take shape, with the engineering consultancy Buro Happold predicting that the complete revitalization of the city will take 10 years.
