An earthquake ravaged this city ‘beyond imagination.’ Now it’s being rebuilt to withstand any natural disaster

 

Is it feasible to design cities resilient to earthquakes and flooding? Architecture firm Foster + Partners aims to demonstrate this with their climate-first masterplan for Antakya, a city in southeastern Turkey, as illustrated in their artist's renderings.

Antakya, the capital of Hatay Province, is steeped in history, sitting at the base of Mount Habib Neccar and partially built on the ancient city of Antioch, founded in the fourth century BC by Seleucid emperor Seleucus I Nicator. However, the city has also endured a series of devastating earthquakes, most recently two major quakes of magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5 on February 6, 2023. These earthquakes flattened large sections of Antakya, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing many more people into emergency shelters.

In the aftermath, Foster + Partners was tasked with creating a master plan for rebuilding the city. Their vision, unveiled in July 2024, incorporates several innovative strategies to enhance the city’s resilience to natural disasters. The master plan includes transforming the Asi River, which previously posed significant flooding risks, into a green corridor with parks and open spaces designed to act as natural buffers against floodwaters.

To ensure that the rebuild honors Antakya's cultural heritage, consultations with local communities and anthropologists were integral to the planning process. The new design eliminates cul-de-sacs in favor of "superblock" neighborhoods that improve traffic flow and provide central squares for community gatherings during emergencies.

The master plan also prioritizes earthquake resilience with the adoption of compact building designs and car-free zones that facilitate better emergency access and reduce traffic congestion. These measures are complemented by increased green spaces, which will not only enhance urban living but also help manage stormwater and reduce flood risks.

Construction on the revitalization project has already begun, with an anticipated completion timeline of ten years. The project aims to set a precedent for disaster-resilient urban planning worldwide, blending advanced design principles with a deep respect for local history and community needs.

Furkan Demirci, chairman of the Türkiye Design Council, emphasized the project's dual focus on honoring Antakya’s rich legacy while creating a sustainable and resilient environment for future generations. The initiative represents a bold step toward redefining urban resilience in the face of natural disasters.