Making City Arnavutköy, Istanbul

5th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam 

Making City: 

Arnavutköy, Istanbul 

51N4E 

HNS 

AWB 

October.2011, Istanbul

Contents 

I. Project Attitude 

Tensions Used Constructively 

Prioritized Readings 

Considering multiple scales 

II. Project Summary 

Looking at the full watercycle 

Water; the missing link 

An interactive system 

Appendix 1: Design Principles Pilot Sites 

Site Selection 

Pilot #01: Hadimköy Ridge City 

Pilot #02: Arnavutköy Ecological Corridor 

Pilot #03: Arnavutköy Ridge City 

Pilot #04: Arnavutköy Agricultural Suburb 

Appendix 2: Implementation methods 

How to make an integral system 

Urban and landscape qualities 

How to start a process

I. Introduction: 

From Arnavutköy Municipality 

to Productive Landscape

North Istanbu: the natural resource 

South Istanbul: the mega city

A Strategic Vision 

Project origin, set-up, scope 

The present booklet is the summary of a study initiated jointly by the 

International Architecture Biennale of Rotterdam and the Municipality of 

Arnavutköy, Istanbul.The multiple agenda of the result reflects the double 

scope of the study. 

If the questions of the study brief are formulated by the issues and 

dilemmas that a developing municipality at the edge of large metropolis is 

facing, the answers are sought through palpitating the Istanbul condition 

itself. On one hand confronted with the same issues as most mega cities 

around the world today, Istnabul is at the same time a very specific place, 

with its specific qualities, opportunities and dangers. By prioritizing the 

aspect of sustainable urban development, the study vision bypasses the 

dilemma between preservation and growth, and focuses on a scenario 

where ostensibly conflicting dynamics become mutually dependent and 

reinforcing. 

The development pressure in Arnavutköy represents the dilemma rapidly 

growing metropolises like Istanbul are in. On the one hand they have to 

accommodate the increase of population consuming ever more space; on 

the other hand they have to provide the necessary resources to provide this 

population with all the essentials of life: food, water, mobility… 

In Arnavutköy, the conflict is crystallizing between the growth of the city 

and the supply of water. Arnavutköy, and more specifically the Sazlidere 

basin, is one of the 7 important water catchment areas of the Metropolitan 

municipality of Istanbul. 

Already today, the importance of the water supply is taken very seriously. 

ISKI, the water management company, focuses strongly on protecting 

the water basin. A very clear zoning logic has been installed: urbanization 

and agricultural use of the land decreases as one gets closer to the basin, 

minimizing the impact of human occupation on the quality of the water. 

Although the principles of these zones are very clear, it seems difficult 

to cope with the incremental and informal consumption of the land. The 

zoning logic exists in plan, but is not materialized on site. Maintaining the 

zoning principle requires constant control, has to be enforced with authority 

and often results in conflicts. In this strategic vision, we propose a more 

productive mode of coexistence between the water basin and the city. To 

do so, the ISKI zoning logic is taken as starting point, further developed and 

refined.

The Question: Arnavutköy today 

How to develop? How to preserve? 

The burning questions for the Municipality of Arnavutköy as reflected 

in a map of potential points of intervention around the Municipality 

territory: natural creek zones crossing the grounds of the town, while 

new neighbourhoods develop(ed) around, existing villages situated 

in direct or close proximity to the protected drinking water reservoir, 

places strategically located in proximity to planned regional road 

infrastructure facing development pressure etc. The dilemma 

between preservation and development becomes manifest.

Arnavutköy & drinking water reservoirs 

Natural resources as a main identity feature 

The Municipality of Arnavutköy happens to partly contain 3 water 

reservoirs providing the entire Istanbul city with drinking water. This 

gives the municipality territory a distinct identity feature, an asset to 

develop upon as much as a responsibility towards the metropolitan 

region that contains it.

Istanbul & drinking water reservoirs 

Current supply resources 

The Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul contains 7 natural drinking 

water reservoirs, all of them by now under a strict protection regime. 

The supply from these reservoirs currently covers the needs of the 

entire broader Istanbul. According to predictions (based on the 

consumption rhythm of today), it will continue to do so until the point 

the city growth surpasses a population of 15 million people.

Istanbul Water Management 

Alternative water supply plan 

The Istanbul strategy for water management includes on one hand 

strict protection measures of the existing reservoirs, purification 

units, existing and planned but also a plan to import water from 

nearby territories in order to respond to the augmenting demand 

within its own borders This scenario, although based on a realistic 

view of the Istanbul future, will create a dependence of the city on 

territories out of its direct control, even out of the national control. 

The present study supports the argument that this condition should 

be postponed as much as possible: the focus should be primarily on 

developing the local potential to its limits. 

1 Water supply Istanbul - example Sazlidere basin 

7x 

terkos büyükçekmece 

elmalı ömerli darlık 

sazlıdere 

alibeyköy 

? 

existing connection 

planned connection 

existing pumpingstation 

planned pumpingstation 

existing purification installation 

planned purification installation 

planned bassin 

existing reservoir 

20 km

Istanbul agriculture zones 

Additional potential in resources 

The current zoning of the Istanbul Municipality territory includes 

relatively large areas assigned as agriculture zones. Although some 

being actually more functional than others, agriculture represents a 

(less defined, less prioritized) potential within the region. Even if the 

main agricultural production is located in other areas of the country 

and the envisioned profile of Istanbul is focusing on tertiary sector, 

the potential in employment, land quality preservation and local food 

production should remain into consideration.

Istanbul Masterplan 

focus on preservation of existing resources 

The Masterplan developed for the broader Istanbul region sets in 

priority natural resources preservation issues and envisions a limit 

in the population growth below the tipping point of the balance 

between urban development and supply on resources. Although 

clear in its intentions as a general plan, its applicability in local scales 

is today much less sharply defined.

Istanbul Multiple Actors 

Simultaneous dynamics and their coordination

Istanbul growth 1980 

Impact of First Bosphorus Bridge 

The construction of the First Highway Bridge in 1973, coincided 

with a process of rapid urbanization, causing the Istanbul city area 

to almost double within a decade from the size it had reached 

throughout its history.


Impact of Second Bosphorus Bridge 

Reduced rural migration during the last decades of the 20th century 

didn’t hinder the rapid growth of Istanbul after the construction of 

the 2nd Highway (in purple)


Projected impact of of Third Bosporhus Bridge 

The Istanbul Metropolitan Masterplan predicts the population of 

Istanbul to stabilize after 2025 around 16-18 million inhabitants and 

the extension of the urban territory to be restricted in the southern 

Istanbul zone, along the Sea of Marmara.Other factors, like the new 

planned highway and 3rd Bridge over the Bosphorus close to the 

Black Sea will though bring along pressure for development.

The Theme: Making city 

Qualitative urbanization in the focus of IABR 2012 

Istanbul is featuring as one of the main focus cities in the upcoming 

edition International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam. In the frame 

of the Biennale, Istanbul’s booming development still today, not 

having reached its saturation point, poses questions on qualitative 

development, making city beyond plain growth. 

Population Growth: Arnavutkoy, Istanbul, Turkey

A World of Cities 

Urban agglomerations projection in 2025 (United Nations) 

Focusing on the quality of cities becomes more relevant than 

ever: Global predictions indicate that by 2025 80% of the global 

population will be living in cities, occupying 3% of the available 

territory and producing 90% of the global economy. How will these 

cities, most of them metropolises already today, will manage to 

cover the needs of its inhabitants in fresh water, food, ...

Urban Growth Patterns 

Istanbul’s underlying potential for sustainable growth 

Different urban agglomerations have different growth patterns. Next 

to the archetypical concentric growth model of cities like London, 

and the urban networks of western Europe, Istanbul with its linear 

growth pattern presents an opportunity for urban development in 

close proximity to open landscape.

Arnavutköy Dynamics 

How to allow growth while preserving resources? 

The most important challenge that Arnavutköy is facing is finding 

a balance between preservation and development. Flexible tools, 

allowing to steer and anticipate development are sought for to 

overcome conflicts between dynamics.

+ 

Project dynamics 

You are here: Territory where different dynamics meet 

The setup of the project as a constellation of dynamics and expertise 

allows to better address the multiplicity of the agendas concentrated 

in the Arnavutköy territory. 

3rd bridge highway 

protected drink water 

basin 

developing 

coast 

protected green zones 

developing communities 

industrial corridor 

2nd bridge highway 

city expanding

Considering Multiple Scales 

Proposals put in perspective 

During the study, issues are placed in different perspectives and 

projected in different scales : proposals for local interventions can 

be models for similar issues in the broader region and strategic 

thinking in the larger scale can lead to unexpected answers for local 

problems.


Administrative Entities as territory units 

The conventional reading of a larger territory as a composition of the 

different municipalities it contains facilitates certain administrative 

questions, but in the case where natural features and resources 

become the point of focus, this subdivision does not allow a 

comprehensive study of the problem. 

LEGEND 

Administration in Istanbul is split up into sub Municipalities which were created through negotiation between the 

people living in the city, and usually adhere to a political logic, which tends to inhibit implementing a wholesome 

strategy that would be based, for instance, on the logic of water collection and distribution. 

1:500 000


Natural Entities as territory units 

Acknowledging water preservation as a main point of focus for 

developing a strategic vision for the Arnavutköy area, the project 

also adopts a consequent reading of the territory. The city becomes 

its landscape, a collection of water drainage basins providing 

Istanbul with with valuable drinking water supply as well as its 

characteristic relief. 

01 

02 

03 

04 

C 

05 

A 

F 

B 

06 07 

09 

10 

11 

12 

1314 

15 

16 

G 

J 

18 

K 

D 

08 

E 

H 

17 

21 

19 

20 

23 

I 

22 

Map of all drainage basins of Istanbul Metropolitan Region: the central areas of the peninsula form sweet-water 

basins while the perimeter sea-water basins. Together, they form a complete partioning of the city. 

1:500 000

Making City 

aiming at site-specific living conditions

II. Project Summary: 

Sazlidere Basin 

looking at the full water cycle 

The readable Landscape: making administrative boundaries visible 

Looking at the basin 

Looking at the city 

Towards a total system: alternative water cycle 

Creating a future-absorbing pattern 

The Ridge City: clear boundaries and in balance with the landscape 

Water saved by water: water the missing link 

Productive density: Directing Development with Incentive rather than Prohibition 

An interactive system

oad 

+100m 

Urban Spine 

Concentrated Islands 

Grid City 

Garden City/Urban Agriculture 

Adjacent Urban Areas: Hadimkoy, Karaburun.. 

Private Villas/Gated Communities 

Village 

Existing Forest 

Forest as edge to ridge city 

Precision agriculture on the city fringe 

Agriculture 

Extensive grassland 

Functional nature 

Water 

Grid 

1kmx1km 

+ =

Looking at the Full Water Cycle 

One part of the problem of the zoning logic as proposed by ISKI is that it is 

not possible to realize the zoning under present conditions. The protection 

zones, which consist of concentric circles of different types of nature and 

agriculture, are solely restrictive and do not come to life because they lack 

the main resource to develop them: water. This water is exclusively destined 

to be used for the drinking water supply for the city. As a consequence, the 

different zones in the ISKI protection plan do not become a reality on the 

ground. In the perception and the daily use of the population of Arnavutköy, 

the grounds that make up these protection zones are in essence unused, 

dead land. In the perception of the population, there is no apparent reason 

why this land is not suitable for urbanization: devoid of meaning, the most 

evident and lucrative use of the land is to build on it. With the planned third 

highway crossing the Arnavutköy municipality, the lack of a development 

perspective for these protection zones could turn out to be catastrophic. In 

order to enhance the protection of the basin, it is crucial to invent a future 

life for this land. (see: project specifics) 

Another important step in the strategic vision is to look not only at the end 

of the water cycle, but also at the beginning. This means that one should 

not only look at ways how to protect the water basin, but also at ways to 

prevent the pollution at the source: the urbanization that creates the waste 

water, polluting the rain water destined for the water basin. 

In the proposal, all future development is concentrated in a clearly defined 

zone on top of the ridge of the water basin. This zone can be considered 

as an extra layer added to the ISKI zoning. Contrary to the other zones, 

where we propose to stop urbanization, urban development in this zone 

is not limited but promoted. This attitude allows taking a clear and proactive 

attitude, aiming to develop qualities instead of limiting quantities. 

Concentrating urban development in a clearly defined zone running along 

the ridge creates the obvious advantages linked to dense cities: it allows 

developing public transport, concentrating services and creating a better 

sewage infrastructure. Although putting the most polluting source on the 

uppermost part of the basin seems counter intuitive on first sight, there is 

a clear potential to be found is this layout: the proposal to install a water 

system that collects rain water, grey water and black water separately, 

allows to equip every city part with its own treatment system and to control 

the water output of the city. All of this can happen by using the natural flow 

of the water, pulled downstream by gravity.

Looking at the Basin 

The readable landscape 

Transfering the administrative boundaries from a map to reality is a 

necessary step to render them visible and thus undeniable, leaving 

less room for misinterpretation and landscape misuse. 

The most evident way to materialize the borders is to refine them by 

letting them relate to the natural topography and to then shape the 

landscape giving the zones specific content. 

An eloquent example of the value of boundaries materialization: 

Instead of letting water run-off into the reservoir along its entire 

perimeter, the physical boundaries between zones alllow separating 

water flows. Cleansing systems are installed with monitored inflow 

points on one side of the reservoir, while a permanent cleansing 

wetland is installed on the other side 

Functional Nature: safeguards the basin 

Strict protection zone 

Bufferzone: extensive grasslands 

Short range protection zone 

Agricultural land: zero-tolerance 

Medium & Long range protection zone 

City boundary 

Strong landuse: forest and vitalised agriculture 

Ridge city: welcome the city 

Productive density on the high grounds 

Forest 

Urban 

Rural 

Military 

Strict protection zone 

nature 

Short range protection zone 

ecological agriculture 

Medium range protection zone 

allowed pop.: 40p/ha (urban) 20p/ha (rural) 

Long range protection zone 

allowed pop: 80p/ha (urban) 25p/ha (rural)a 

Section A (next page): 

The current administrative landscape: immaterial boundaries 

The proposed Readable landscape: visible and physical boundaries

Functional nature zone 

Current situation: direct agricultural runoff into the lake 

steep slopes mark the boundary between eco-agricultural and regular agricultural zone 

prominent dike/quay line with hedgerow vegetation marks the boundary between nature and eco-agricultural zone 

Ecologial shoreline 

filtering in reservoir 

Proposal: interscept and re-route agricultural runoff 

Surface flow purification alongside lake 

small quay 

Cascade system 

filtering agricultural run-off 

wetland bypass 

dike 

enlarged embankment 

Controlled inflow Concentration allows for = Control 

waterquality ISKI monitoring 

stations 

ca 300m 

Purification within the Lake 

by adding a wetland zone 

enlarged embankment 

small 

quay 

ca 300m

oad 

+100m 

Agriculture 



Water 

Looking at the Basin 

Activating and safeguarding 

The layout of the different zones is structured based on their 

function. The first 300m from the reservoir become a functional 

nature zone with wetlands and ecological purification. The nature 

zones actively protects the reservoir agains poluted agricultural 

runoff. As an additional buffer, agricultural use in close proximity to 

the basin is restricted to extensive grassland, preventing intensive 

nutrient input and outlow near the reservoir. Grassland vegetation 

ensures a buffering function of this zone yearround, this in contrast 

with ecological agriculture which implies barren grounds during 

winter. 

Grid 

1kmx1km 

The second focus for strengthening landuse is on the city edge. 

By reusing urban wastewater the necessary irrigation water and 

nutrients can be provided to make these zones come to life and 

become robust. A Forest boundary of 300m forms a clear and 

unmistakeable edge to the city and provides wood to be used in 

a sustainable fertiliser: so-called black soil, or terra prata (biochar) 

which binds nutrients to the soil, preventing outflow. Depending 

on water and biochar availability agricultural production is boosted 

in patches/zones of precision agriculture along the city fringe. For 

details see appendix II 

Together, forest, precision agriculture and extensive grassland 

redefine the ecogical agriculture (short range protection) zone 

Planted strips, small quay’s and a dike make the limits of the zones 

visible. 

Looking at the basin: 

Functional nature zone runoff before entering the basin 

Extensive grassland activates the bufferzone near the reservoir

Clearly visible, physical boundaries between zones 

Small dike forms the edge of the functional nature zone and seperates runoff in a parallel system, preventing direct 

inflow 

Enlarged ecological banks filter water in the reservoir (ref Terkos Gölü) 

Section A (see map previous page) 

Short range protection zone is made productive 

by reusing urban wastewater for irrgation 

(3 types of agriculture redefine short range protection zone) 

Forest Precision agriculture Extensive grasslands 

reusing urban wastewater: 

recycling H2O & P+N 

to vitalise landuse 

Ridge city 

City Edge 

Bufferzone 

Functional nature zone (300m) 

Forest Precision agriculture Extensive grasslands Ecological purification 

Paralell wetland and 

dike Lake with ecological bank

Looking at the City 

The water complement 

The above proposed system for restructuring the basin zones 

aims at improving their performance in ecological, economical and 

social terms. It also makes very clear that in the proposal as in the 

existing condition, the successful preservation of the drinking water 

paradoxically but intrisically depends on finding more water. Water 

to feed the intermediate protection zones, to provide them with 

identity and use, and to help them resist informal / incontrollable 

development. A complementary side of the basin protection plan is 

sought at the direct proximity of the basin: on the ridge. 

But where does the (extra) water come from?

Towards a total system 

An alternative water cycle 

Rain water: utilise functional nature to filter before entering the 

drinking water reservoir 

Urban grey water: treated and reused in the city as service water to 

reduce water demand 

Urban black water: treated and reused for drip irrigation of precision 

agriculture and forests. Reuse the sludge as input for blacksoil 

(biochar)

Looking at the City 

Establishing a flexible base for development 

The current condition of built volume in the Sazlidere basin shows 

concentrations around the Arnavutköy town with additional sparse 

developments around the rest of the basin. No specific development 

pattern can be distinguished, and the existing regulations, based 

on non-localized percentages of development, do not suggest 

one either. This strategy risks leading to sprawl: development 

will happen in an opportunistic way, hard to foresee or control, 

until the saturation point of the regulation percentages. To the 

typical dangers of sprawl being consumption of valuable land and 

landscape deterioration, an additional danger is presented here with 

the lack of control over the impact of unorganized developments on 

the water resources. Density becomes a menace. 

The vision aims at overturning this situation by channeling urban 

development in a pattern that can absorb different future scenarios. 

In this pattern, the final density is not prescribed but left open to the 

future needs of the area, becoming another of the parameters at 

play.

Current built volume in the basin 

Future projection of built based on existing regulations: imminent 

sprawl risk 

Proposed direction built volume: channeling development along the 

ridge, zero tolerance in the interior

oad 

+100m 

Urban Spine 






Village 

The Ridge City 

A new layer added to preserve and enable 

The reason to concentrate development is twofold: 

Concentration allows for better control over the infrastructure 

quality. A properly managed sewage system will make water re-use 

possible, thus activating the zones lower in the basin and assisting 

the preservation process. The city edge is arguably the most 

important boundary to materialize. By reusing urban wastewater 

to strengthen the landscape on the city edge (irrigated forest 

and precision agriculture) the city reinforces its own boundary. 

Not just a clear and robust edge, the forests and vital agricultural 

fields additionally provide valuable recreational space for the cities 

residents, and contribute to food and wood production. 


Forestband as edge to ridge city 


Water 

Grid 

1kmx1km 

It also enables other infrastructure to happen more efficiently (for 

example, road networks) or to simply happen (as in the case of 

public transport, when density is enough to make it efficient). 

For this concentration to find place on the ridge, seems like a natural 

choice. The Sazlidere ridge and basin being part of a landscapesystem 

of ridges and basins allows the Ridge City to have excellent 

connections to the broader area and to profit from the variety of the 

differents parts that constitute the ridge (forest, industrial cluster, 

Arnavutköy Town etc) 

The ridge city: 

development concentrated on the ridge 

Strong and productive landscape boundary as city edge: forest and precision agriculture

A very clear forest band marks the boundary of the city The Ridge as a collection of differences The Ridge as a part of a whole 

Sazlidere Ridge connectivity

oad 

+100m 

Urban Spine 






Village 

Water, the missing link 

As a result of this concentration principle, the water that is a byproduct 

of the city can become a means to save and protect the 

water that feeds the basin. Suddenly, things are turned upside down: 

the urban development that threatens the water basin becomes 

the necessary motor to save it. Water saved by water: the output 

water of the city is used to feed the zones that protect the basin, 

giving them the necessary nutrients and water to live, and therefore 

survive. All elements of the system become interdependent: the 

water feeding the city, the city feeding the land, the land protecting 

the basin. 


Forest as edge to ridge city 


Agriculture 



Water 

Grid 

1kmx1km 

In a bizarre twist of logic, developing more city increases the 

protection of the basin. Suddenly, density is not a threat but 

potentially productive. 

By closing the loop, the strategic vision aims at a triple ambition: 

1. To sustain and improve the collection of drinking water 

2. To give a meaning to and development potential for the 

ISKI protection zones 

3. To invent ways to absorb urbanization in a qualitative 

way, in a balanced coexistence with the above

feeds 

City 

Agriculture 

feeds 

protects 

Water

A Future-Absorbing Pattern 

Extrapolation of the vision on the scale of Istanbul 

Although focusing solely on Sazlidere, the vision is not considering 

the basin as an isolated case. The core issues that the Arnavutöy 

municipality is confronted with being relevant for the entire area 

in and around Istanbul, the real goal for the city should be finding 

patterns that would allow it to develop sustainably in its entirety. 

In this effort, flexibility and priorities rather than restrictions should 

be a key.

? 

Current Scenario (low growth) Current Scenario (medium growth) Current Scenario (high growth is not an option) 

Alternative Scenario (low growth) 

Alternative Scenario (medium growth) 

Alternative Scenario (high growth)

Productive Density 

Incentive rather than Prohibition 

1. To improve the collection of drinking water 

2. To give development potential for iSKi zones 

3. To urbanize in balance with the basin 

300.000 to 500.000 more people 600 to 1.000 ha high end agriculture 37.5 people / ha (total basin)

ASSUMPTIONS FOR CALCULATING 

Area in plan is reduced by 15% to account for roads/infrastructure 

a person is allocated 30 m 2 of living space (see attached standards in several european countries. This is an extremely 

generous assumption) 

PROJECTIONS 

total buildable surfaced is assumed to be 50% housing (a rough estimate for Brussels metropolitan region is that this 

ratio is closer to 60% housing, and we can consider that this is still a ‘sub’ urban part of Istanbul and raise the ratio to 

70%, this would give even larger numbers in the above chart, or allow for more spacious development with the existing 

numbers) 

Another thing to consider is a development scenario for the agriculture which is as discussed earlier a combination of 

vegetable and wheat farming, HNS could propose an adequate 

ASSUMPTIONS 

number based 

FOR 

on these 

CALCULATING 

numbers tha we now have) 

- Area in plan is reduced by 15% to account for roads/infrastructure 

- 30 m 2 of living space/ person 

- total buildable surface: 50% housing 

# people 

m 2 

average FAR, plot usage 

% of eco-agri able to 

cultivate vegetables 

reference to city types 

1 

4 million 

29.7 km 2 

i = 8; a = 50% 

over 100 % 

a denser Hong Kong 

2 

1.5 mil 

29.7 km 2 

i = 7.9; a = 70-85% 

35 % 

Cerda (Barcelona), 

Manhattan grid (NY) 

3 

0.5 mil 

29.7 km 2 

i = 2.3; a = 60% 

12 % 

dense Toki 

4 

0.38 mil 

29.7 km 2 

- 

10 % 

Municipal projections 

as discussed last week 

5 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Excercise in calculation of the irrigation potential of different population densities of the Ridge City.

An Interactive System 

Like in any eco-system, the interdependence of all elements is the key to 

the story. The vision will be strategic only if the elements are related. Exactly 

this aspect might be the Achilles heel of the proposal. Today, the different 

authorities take full responsibility in their domain, but create very little 

interaction in between domains. As long as this is the case, the strategic 

vision will be useless. A crucial step in realising the vision and building a 

sustainable future for the city is to build a common project in which all 

levels of authority interact. This study shows that this could be possible. 

Already, in the process of the last months, intelligence from the municipality 

has been cross-referenced with the points of view of the water and 

agriculture authorities (amongst others). It is clear that this proposal is just 

a first step; we truly hope that the results of this first exercise are inspiring 

enough to motivate all parties involved to continue this path towards a 

better future.

ARNAVUTKOY 

>> 

ARNAVUTKOY 

Strategic Vision:A Cross-Authority Project 

ECO 

ECO 

Actors involved 

3rd Highway 

Private Enterprise + TOKi 

iSKi 

Independent Logics 

Arnavutköy Municipality +IMR 

Agriculture Ministry 

Forest Ministry

LONG TERM ALLIANCE 

to steer the project: 

SHORT TERM ALLIANCE: 

to realize seperate phases of implementatio 

iSKi + Arnavutkoy Municipality 

iSKi 

Forest Ministry 

+ 

iSKi 


+ 


iSKi 

+ 

Private Developers 

+ 

TOKi 

Example of constellations of authorities necessary for the different levels of realization of a project, differentiation between vision-carriers, consulting and executive parties

Appendix 1: 

Design Principles Pilot Sites 

Pilot Site Selection 


Pilot #02: Arnavutköy Ecological Corridor 


Pilot #04: Arnavutköy Agriculture Suburb

Pilot Overview 

Legal Map 

#03 

#02 

#04 

Hadimköy Ridge City 

Arnavutköy Eco Corridor 

Arnavutköy Ridge City 

Arnavutköy Agriculture Suburb 

#01 

#02 

#03 

#04 

#01

In this appendix the selection of proposed Pilot Project sites is explained 

and elaborated, and each project is given a set of design principles as base 

for further development. 

The four proposed sites are selected based on different characteristics: 

location, potential for application of the proposed methods, land 

ownership, collaboration opportunities. 

The first is located in a currently scarcely developed area, in close proximity 

to the water reservoir, and would thus constitute a rather pure application 

of the theoretical model developed in the vision. 

The other three sites, located on the other side of the water and part of 

existing or developing land of Arnavutköy town, form together a group: 

They relate to the main water basin as much as to one of the secondary 

creeks that lies within urbanized ground. Besides addressing urgent issues 

for the imminent development of the town, they represent a testing ground 

for the flexibility of the model, its application in a complex, real context


Overview of Site Areas 

Diagram listing the four sites, their group formations and their 

respective surfaces 

03 

02 

04 

01 

Hadimköy Ridge City 

a: 2.45 km² 

02 

Arnavutköy Eco-Corridor 

a: 1.01 km² 

01 

03 


a: 1.89 km² 

04 


a: 3.71 km²


Overview of land properties, and existing built volume 

Overview of the four sites charted according to land ownership 

(state-owned, municipal, private) and to the existing built tissue they 

contain.

#01 Hadimköy Ridge City 

New Zoning Map 

Located between the industrial zone of Hadimköy and the protection 

zones of the Sazlidere basin, the site is a perfect sample of a future 

urban edge along the ridge in direct proximity to open/ productive 

landscape. Its excellent connectivity to economic poles (Industrial 

cluster Hadimköy, Ataturk airport, 2nd Highway to the south, 3rd 

Highway to the north) give potential to the development, while the 

proximity to the water commands for thorough protection measures.


Land ownership 

An important argument behind the choice of this area as a pilot site, 

and behind the belief that it could actually become the first testing 

ground for the vision is its property chart: largely owned by the 

municipality while practically empty from buildings, it gathers in a 

small area the entire range of zones from ridge to basin. 

A successful application of the system in this area, would prove 

and render tangible the potential of cross-collaboration between 

authorities. 

Municipal Land 

Municipal Shared Land 

State Land (Treasury) 

State Shared Land


Land Ownership Analysis 

01 

total area ownership built 

state 

private 

1.22 % 

municipal 

33.87 % 

64.5 % 

2.45 km² 

(100 %) 

64.5 % 

33.87 % 

1.22 % 

0 %


City in balance with a readable and robust landscape 

Overview of the proposed zoning: the current iSKi border that would 

represent the limit between built and non-built, city and landscape, is 

refined according to the topography and the property lines. 

The urban patch develops along the ridge while landscape zones 

cleanse both run-off water and recycled city water. City and 

landscape meet in a forest zone that doubles as a public amenity. 

300m 

300m 

1000m 

strict 

protection zone 

short-range 


medium-range 


Current Regulations: iSKi protection zones

Starting boundary: iSKi 1000m no-build line 

Boundary adjustment: topography line 

Boundary adjustment: property parcels


Laying out the basis for development 

With the site topography in mind, a set of main roads is laid out 

parallel to the height lines, accompanied by a secondary set of 

perpendicular roads and walking paths penetrating the landscape 

zone. Upon that grid a water supply and collection network is built 

. The run-off water is cleansed int he lower zones of the basin, the 

black city water is treated and used in a zone of precision farming. 

The landscape is activated. 

II 

III 

RIDGE ROAD 

I 

I 

II 

III 

I 

Main road network (parallel to toporaphy) 

Green system and road system

Urban runoff water 

treatment and reuse of blackwater 

Urban watersystem


Living quality 

Different types of built tissue are indicatively proposed for 

different parts of the development: functions of public interest 

are concentrated along the ridge ring road (dense large buildings, 

commercial potential) while some recreation functions and public 

terraces could profit from the valley view along the lower edge. 

The infill of the city is a combination of larger and smaller private 

structures, of gradually lowering density towards the basin. 

III 

II 

6 

RIDGE ROAD 

I 

1 

5 

5 

2 

3 

6 

3 

6 

3 

4 

4 

6 

1 

3 

8 

3 

3 

6 

3 

3 

6 

2 

3 

1b 

2 

4 

6 

1 

3 

5 

6 

8 

1b 

5 

2 

3 

3 

4 

3 

III 

3 

I 

II 

I

2 

10 

RIDGE 

First Perimeter along the Ridge 

Road tied to public transport: 

Intense 3 Urban Centralities 4 

Volumes that define 

Third Perimeter: different characters of 

Residential open Belt space toward the Basin 

(public-semipublic) 

1 

1b 

CITY OFFSET ROAD 

FOREST BAND 

Second Perimeter: 

Levels of Urban intensity 

13 

1b 4 

3 

4 

Third Perimeter: 

Residential Belt toward the Basin 

36 47 

2 

CITY O 

FORES 

5 

3 

Variations on Private 

Developments, 2 home 4 

and garden 

3 

4 

8 9 

5 

6 7 

10 

III 

III 

III 

II 

II 

II 

6 

RIDGE RIDGE ROAD ROAD 

RIDGE ROAD 

RIDGE ROAD 

I 

I 

I 

6 

1 

5 

6 

1 

5 

3 

4 

3 

4 

3 

3 

3 

3 

5 

6 

8 

6 

6 

1b 

2 

2 

Agriculture Block 

3 

3 

3 

4 

6 

3 

6 

1 

1b 

2 

III 

II 

I 

6 I 

7 

3 

3 

5 

5 

4 

3 

3 

III 

II 

I 

I 

8 

8 9 

III 

II 

I 

I 

Urban concentrations along the ridge, public transport network 

Public terraces with landscape view 

Dense city volumes 

structuring public and semi-public open spaces 

Private development


3D Cross Section - Hadimköy Project in all its layers 

Scheme explaining the combined working of city and landscape: 

Urban wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation in a closed 

system: precision farming on biochar enriched soils ensure efficient 

nutrient reuse and prevents flushing out of nutrients to the basin. 

At the same time, urban runoff is treated in a cascaded wetland system, 

paralel to the basin. preventing direct runoff and offering ability 

to control and monitor inflow 

forest and precision agriculture 

ridge city 

50ha urban development 

= 12500 people 

extensive grasslands 

ecological purification 

ecological shoreline 

= 25ha 

precision agriculture

Urban wastewater treatment and reuse 

Urban runoff treatment in a cascaded wetland system 

reusing urban wastewater: 

recycling H2O & P+N 

to vitalise landuse 

Ridge city 

City Edge 

Bufferzone 

Functional nature zone (300m) 

Forest Precision agriculture Extensive grasslands Ecological purification 

Paralell wetland and 

dike Lake with ecological bank


Capacity calculation 

(population/agricultural production) 

6 

2 

6 

1 

5 

6 

5 

3 

3 

3 

6 

4 

4 

1 

3 

8 

3 

3 

6 

3 

3 

6 

2 

3 

1b 

2 

4 

6 

3 

6 

1 

5 

8 

1b 

5 

2 

3 

3 

3 

4 

3 

(A) 

Surface Flow Water Purification 

500 000m² 

i=8 

70% is housing 

A = 605 561 m² 

20-30m² living area 

per person 

A 

62.3% 

PRIVATE 

37.7% 

PUBLIC 

~25 000inh. 

REQUIRES 

for cleaning 

greywater 

C 

(C) 

Vertical Flow Water Purification 

75 037m²

A 

Reed 

Surface 

Allocated 

170 110m² 

C 

IRRIGATES 

top quality 

vegetables 

809 752m² 

80ha 

707 709m² 

70ha


Impression of the city edge, integration of landscape in the city


Data Sheet 

l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 

Arnavutköy 

Municipality 

(70%) 

-ease of implementation, minimum private ownership 

-relief growth pressure in Arnavutkoy centre 

- sustainable housing/ efficient use drinking water 

-launch cross-authority collaboration 

- 

- collaboration ISKI, Metropolitan 

Municipality 

- Ministry support 

- attract private investment 

- launch 

- assign developer 

- coordinate property rights exchange 

- building permits 

- coordinate infrastructure works 

5% 

Private 

(30%) 

- increased payoff with increased real-estate value 

- good connectivity to highways 

- proximity to industrial cluster 

- 

-permit= obligation simultaneous 

investment in eco-zone/water 

treatment 

- acquire ground/ building rights 

- construction 

50% 

iSKi 

- establish protection zones through private 

developments 

- control developments in basin 

- monitor drinking water quality 


- participate in cross-authority collaboration 

-allowed population density in 

area exceeded 

- 

- regulation revision 

- supervise infrastructure works 

- execute part infrastructure works 

20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

- increase& consolidate agricultural production 

- organize/ concentrate animal husbandry 

- - - advisory on regulation revision - 

IMM 

- new identity for Istanbul suburbs 



- masterplan excludes nonagricultural 

destined buildings 

from zone 

- - regulation revision - 

TOKi/KiPTAS 



- high quality standard heighbourhood 

- 

- permit= obligation simultaneous 


treatment 



25%

Overview Pilots #02,03,04 

Legal Map 

Located within the territory of Arnavutköy town, the three sites form 

a group: the long strip corresponds to one of the Sazlidere creeks 

, while the two other sites, partly already developed today, slope 

towards it. In the study below the sites are worked out based on 

the same principles of the general vision, adapted to the complex, 

specific condition of an already occupied territory. 

Together, the sites enhance the intentions of the existing masterplan, 

and hint at ways to improve the ecology and the living quality in 

existing areas still in development. 

#03 

#02 

#04 

Arnavutköy Eco Corridor 



#02 

#03 

#04

Pilot #02, 03 and 04: Arnavutköy 

A green framework for Arnavutkoy 

Plan summarizing a main principle for the development of the three 

sites: utilize the urban green zones as planning tool to structure the 

city and mark city edges

Pilot #02: Arnavutköy Eco-Corridor 

New Legal map 

The project deals with the creek strip as a long park zone amidst 

the city. It focuses on enhancing its quality by making its character 

sharper as a place of public interest: acknowledging a territory as 

a public asset would directly provide the necessary resistance to 

development, an unresolved issue currently. At the same time it 

addresses the urgent question of preventing its water from being 

polluted from city run-off and pollute in turn the main basin.


Land ownership map 

Looking at the property map, the large percentage of private 

property within the borders of the protected ecological zone makes 

manifest the underlying difficulty of the site. Engaging private parties 

in the development of the zone becomes a crucial condition for the 

preservation of its ecological balance.The strip needs to become an 

attractor, an asset in the conscience of the city in order to survive. 




State Shared Land



03 


2.97 % 

11.88 % 

municipal 

state 

private 

76.24 % 

1.01 km² 

100 % 

76.24 % 

11.88 % 

2.97 % 

4 610 m² 

0.46 %


Municipal masterplan map 

The creek is shown in the municipal masterplan as a zone empty 

from development in order to maintain its ecological role. Here the 

zone is further elaborated to distinguish edges from the central 

empty zone, and to give these edges more specific characteristics 

and a physical presence of their boundaries 

wooded open area 

agriculture 

forest 

park 

green playgrounds for children 

electric substation area 

primary facilities (services, religious) 

social facilities 

technical infrastructure area 

commercial 

housing (4 storeys, i = 1.1) 




housing (2 storeys, i = 0.17)

Tree lined Avenue 

Central open space 

Forest band 

road as small dike 

Urban boulevard 

Creek System and Site Boundary Legal Offset for the creek (100m, 200m) Legal Boundary Translated into clear edges marking central open space


Flooding 

The effort to avoid flooding of urbanized areas has led to a hard 

canalization of the creek. In order for the stream to regain its natural 

aspect but still fulfill its role in times of flooding, the width of the 

protected zone is stretched and existing structures that lie inside 

it should be managed accordingly. The extended width becomes 

a green zone, publicly accessible at most times, the abundance of 

water not being the sole quality factor for the zone. 

Relocate buidlings within 100m zone, 

adapta buildings witihin 200m flodzone

Brook with floodplains in historic situation 

natural river: meanders 

Canalisation in current situation 

canalised river discharge driven, 

static and technocratic solution 

Brook in proposed situation 

renaturalisation: more robust approach 

additional benefit of qualitative public space 

dry situation flood event reservation for extreme scenario


The readable boundary 

Similarly to the proposal for the zones adjacent to the Sazlidere 

reservoir, the proposal for the ecological corridor crossing 

Arnavutköy is creating readable boundaries. By giving the 

administrative borders a physical and varied presence, the edges of 

the nature zone become undeniable and the increased value of the 

zone as a public amenity will assist its protection. 

shallow and steep embankment to the creek

A 

A 

B 

B 

C 

D 

C 

Sections 

D


Design Economy 

The success of the project for the ecological corridor is partly 

dependent on its success as a public attractor. For the specific 

case of the creek where an ecological zone is largely composed 

out of private properties, the success as a public attractor depends 

in turn on the success of the park for private investment. As well 

for the public as for the private properties surrounding the zones, 

control over the spatial qualities provided should be gained by the 

coordinating actors. A continuous, well defined green zone upon 

which different attractive and well-maintained amenities anchor will 

be a winning situation for all parties involved.

The high density southwestern subcenter of Arnavutkoy offers oppurtunitiy for the urban boulevard 

Urban promenade along the water, Maastricht, NL 

Other oppurtunities include the direct surroundings of bridges and crossovers. Bridges should span the full lenth 

of the corridor 

Privately owned recreation amenity in contact with water 

(Arch. Tadao Ando, Kyoto)

Borders Arnavutköy, independent logic from the city, disconnected, no-go-zone 

-special character: a simple no-go zone can be a blight in itself. Reapropriating it for public use would create a very 

particular park landscape for this part of the city. 

-recommended as a starter project, intended to win public approval, and awareness of possibilities of combining ecology 

with the city 


Data sheet 

-a landscape project 

l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

(5%) 

- ease of implementation: no regulation conflicts 

- protection zone into public park 

- protection zone currently 

largely private and partly built 

- potential high construction 

and maintenance cost 

- attract private owners, developers, 

investors 

- launch 





50% 

Private 

(80%) 

- investment recreation facilities along public/ semiprivate 

park 

- increased value along new front 

- 



treatment 



30% 

State 

(15%) iSKi 

- protection eco-corridor 

- preventing erosion (avoid sediment into lake) 

- - 

- advisory on permit conditions 



20%

#03 Arnavutköy Ridge City 


The third site is bridging from the creek to the ridge ring road, thus 

giving the opportunity for a development of varying density and 

varying functions, from intensely urban to a garden city condition. 

Taking into account the existing condition of low-density, still 

incomplete development, the project for the site is focusing on the 

infill of the existing, on development as a structuring densification.


Existing regulations: Municipal Masterplan 


agriculture 

forest 

park 






commercial 








Two areas roughly distinguish from the land ownership map, pne 

adjacent to the ridge road that is principally state owned and one 

largely privately owned towards the linear park of the second Pilot 

site. The former is appropriate for the development of larger scale 

projects while the latter is envisioned as a collection of smaller scale, 

privately owned and managed projects. 




State Shared Land



04 


2.65% 

municipal 

private 

state 

34.39 % 

51.85 % 

1.89 km² 

100 % 

51.85 % 

79 532 m² 

34.39 % 2.65 % 

4.17 %

1 

3 


Two complementary developments 

3 

3 

The average occupation rate of land in Arnavutköy amounts to an 

approximative 60%. For this project, between the existing buildings 

on the ridge side of the site, a densification of housing projects, 

mixed use and public buildings is envisioned. The creek side of the 

site is filled in, based on the existing tendency, with smaller private 

structures. Apart from the difference in density, a difference in the 

infill of the non-built space is proposed: the western part becomes a 

productive urban landscape, where small scale agriculture can take 

place, benefiting from the upper city water recycling. 

10 

1 

3 

3 

3 

1 

1 

3 

10 

10 

1 

1 

10 

3 

3 

10 

10 

10 2 

5 

10 

5 

10 

10 

10 

3 

3 

3 

10 

10 

3 

10 

10

Existing roads and built Topography Purification and irrigation




773 608m² 

455 688m² 

317 920m² 

12 716 inh. 

EXISTING 

DEVELOPMENT 

18 227 inh. 

NEW 

DEVELOPMENT 

30 943 inh. 

TOTAL 

DEVELOPMENT 

REQUIRES 

for cleaning 

greywater

(A) 

Surface Flow Water Purification 

618 860m² 

A 

Lake 

Surface 

Allocated 

possible surplus 

REQUIRES 

for cleaning 

greywater 

C 

160 853m² 

(C) 

Vertical Flow Water Purification 

92 829m² 

IRRIGATES 

top quality 

vegetables 

699 507m² 

69.9ha 

632 754m² 

63ha 

245 000m² 

24.5ha

Note on Process 

Property rights exchange and conditional development for 

zones with diversified density 

Existing condition Arnavutkoy 

Urban pressure inviting sprawl, large consumption of land for low density develoment. Validated in the 

municipal masterplan 

Alternative proposed scenario: an offset for city growth, limiting horizontal development, preserving areas 

around the sweet water creeks, agricultural land, and landscape qualities 

Development can be intensified elsewhere, and landowners compensated for the land that they own outside 

the boundary by way of selling develoment rights, receiving living space in the city core, and still retaining 

their plots for further use, agricultural, allotments gardens, etc. A final option is to rent this land out for agricultural 

purposes, or sell it.


Data sheet 

l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

- ease of implementation: large state ownership 




Municipality 


- launch 





5% 

Private 

(50%) 



- proximity to centre 

- 



treatment 

- exchange land with building rights 

iSKi 

- sustainable housing/ efficient use drinking water - 




20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

- increase& consolidate agricultural production - - - advisory on permit conditions - 

IMM 




- masterplan does not foresee 

building in state property zone 


State 

(50%) TOKi/KiPTAS 




- 



treatment 



75%

#04 Arnavutköy Agriculture Suburb 


The last site is also adjacent to the ecological corridor. Less central 

in location in comparison to its counterpart on the irdge, this site’s 

special character lies in the cohesive landscape, appropriate for 

small scale interventions that connect to a single water system. The 

focus is on urban agriculture: a combination of living, recreation and 

production, on a site where no conflicts with existing regulations are 

noted..

Pilot #04: Arnavutköy Agriculture Suburb 

Existing regulations: Municipal masterplan 


agriculture 

forest 

park 






commercial 








Primarily privately owned, the site development will mostly depend 

on private incentive and profit. The state owned land, corresponding 

with valleys in the topography, is appopriate for combination of 

water purification systems. 




State Shared Land

02 


municipal 

state 

6.74 % 

private 

10.5 % 

77.89 % 

3.71 km² 

100 % 

77.89 % 

10.5 % 

6.74 % 

68 159 m² 

1.61 %


Topography and built 

The proposal for the site takes into account the topographic 

formations, as well as the municipal masterplan allocation of green 

zones to come up with multi-functional green zone, where natural 

streams run parallel to water purification facilities.

End of the city boundary based on masterplan 

watersheds 

Strips of land owned by the State/ Municipality 

designated as open spaces


Irrigating possibilities inside& outside of city boundaries 

The purificattion park allows water distribution for extended 

development of small scale, privately owned agriculture in the site 

area. The suburb will not only obtain a productive capacity but also 

a distinctive identity by integrating farming lifestyle in close proximity 

to the local town centre. 

7 

10 

10 

10 

10 

6 

7 

7 

10 

6 

7 

7 

10 

10 10 

6 

7 

7 

10 

8 

7 

7 

7 

7 

10 

10 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

6 

7 

6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7

Allocation of water purification systems and irrigation pattern 

(arrows in blue) 

Reference: Allotment gardens, garden suburbs in the Netherlands 

(Steenenkamer Deventer) 

constructed wetlands can be a vital part of public green space in a 

residential setting (reference Hamburg) 

Reference: living in a forest band 

‘t Harde Ven Son)




327 506m² 

395 378m² 

173 073m² 

6 922 inh. 

EXISTING 

DEVELOPMENT 

+ 

13 100 inh. 

NEW 

DEVELOPMENT 

20 022 inh. 

TOTAL 

DEVELOPMENT

IRRIGATES 

top quality 

vegetables 

1 318 633m² 

131ha 

533 428m² 

53ha


Data Sheet 

l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

(20%) 


- inject new identity to suburb/ prevent sprawl 

- empty space consolidation 


- 


investors 

- launch 





5% 

Private 

(70%) 

- living in proximity to centre as well as agriculture zone 

- high quality lanscape 

- increased property value 

- 



treatment 



60% 

State 

(10%) iSKi 

- control developments in basin zone 


- state property land = productive land 

- - 




20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

-increased agricultural production - - - advisory on permit conditions - 

TOKi/KiPTAS 



- 



treatment 



15%

Appendix 2: 

Implementation methods 


- linear vs cyclical 

- readable landscape: forest as city edge 

- functional landscape 

- integral system 

- site-specificity 

- the system elements 

Urban and landscape quality 

- part of a larger whole/ enabling by concentrating 

- accessibility opportunities 

- public transport opportunities 

- public amenities opportunities 

- opportunities for specific living conditions 

- quality control: principles for development 

How to start a process 

- actors involved 

- significance of alliances and their scope 

- significance of phasing 

- phase 0 

- property rights exchange and conditional development 

- development in degrees

idge city 

forestband 

and precision agriculture 

extensive grasslands 

filtering wetland 

ecological shoreline


Besides redefining the existing protection zones in relation to topography, a step in the design process is to investigate 

how these zones can actually perform. In close collaboration with agricultural development specialists, the four iSKi 

protection zones (eco-zone, ecological agriculture zone, high protection agriculture zone, low protection agriculture zone) 

turn into 5 zones, interdependent and crucial for the functionality of the proposal as a whole: 

1. The ecological zone is laid as a filtering wetland, directing flow towards a limited set of outlet points. New water 

is efficiently filterd and monitored before entering the basin. This shoreline is a functional landscape that increases drinking 

water quality and can double as a public natural park. 

2. The ecological agriculture zone requires a drastic redefinition as it cannot fulfill its role of buffer preventing 

nutrients from entering into the water basin. Ecological agriculture, with its abundant use of organic fertilizer and its 

inactivity in winter, will inevitably pollute the basin and should be avoided. In the project, other solutions are developed: 

the ground is enhanced with black soil, which can absorb nutrients all year round. This soil is in turn cleaned by vegetation 

-grass, vegetables, etc- during the fertile season. One potential infill of this zone can be grassland: beautiful open meadow 

with herds, binding nutrients and minerals to the soil. Another potential would be to fill in a very specific niche in the 

agricultural market: ‘precision farming’. This type of farming sits in-between the industrial scale of farming as found in 

Anatolia and the often miniscule scale of organic farming. Its means are simple but the requirements in water remain. The 

project proposal avoids using water destined for the drinking water basin by using the output of the grey and black water 

of the city (see point 5) 

3. For the agricultural zones in general it is important to halt urbanization: zero tolerance leaves no room for 

interpretation, giving all chances to the development of the 5th zone: the ridge city. The agricultural zones further from the 

basin can be developed through grouping of the parcels, allowing more efficient exploitation of the land. 

4. On slopes in the agricultural zone where agriculture is not possible because of the inclination, new forests are 

planted. These forest blocks provide ½ of the necessary raw material to create the black soil. The forest is irrigated by the 

water output of the city and also doubles as publicly accessible areas for picnic and weekend leisure. 

5. The ridge city is a zone added to the ISKI plan. It is a proposal to concentrate all urbanization on the ridge of 

the water catchment area. From a water perspective, the concentration of the built mass in more dense configurations 

allows to install an economical grey and black water collection running towards treatment systems. The water collected in 

these systems flows naturally downwards, feeding the forest, grassland and precision farming zones. In this layout, logic 

seems to be turned upside down: instead of agriculture feeding the city, the city feeds the agriculture. Density becomes 

productive: based on a simple equation, the denser the city the more water it will provide and thus the more chances it will 

create for the agriculture to survive. The agriculture becomes a vital by-product of the water-protection strategy, besides 

enhancing a local economy.

Single Water Cycle (today) 

High rainwater consumption

Multiple Water Cycles (proposal) 

Rainwater consumption restricted

New Forest 

A funcitonal border 

Forest bands providing a clear city boundary as well as wood, raw material for black soil. 

Combined with steep slopes they are the most promising tool to halt urbanisation 

Steep slopes in dark brown are unattractive for agriculture and urbanisation but ideal for forest blocks. Where possible the forest on the city edge is located on 

steep slopes

City= Wastewater= Irrigation 

Enabling forest/ agriculture/ grasslands 

5000 people = 10 ha of precision agriculture

Rule 1: No Direct Urban Run-off 

Use-Collection-Purification 

Cascading urban drainage systems can prevent poluted sediments from flushing out 

Polution form low-density urban sprawl is hard to control 

By concentrating urban development on the ridge 

sewerage and urban runoff can be treated and filtered 

before entering the water system

der Müllverbrennung an Bord), Abfallverbrennung, Recycling, Nahrungs- 

und Getränkeabfälle, Sanitärwasser (Liquid Waste – AWT) 

Rule 2: Re-using Urban Wastewater 

Greywater recycling/ Blackwater use in agriculture 

Reference cruise ship as ‘floating cities’: reusing nutrients, water, energy, etc. in a closed system very efficiently 

2 1-2 l 2011 InstallatIon DKZ 

Proposed technique: drip irrigatiion: “Precision Agriculture”. very efficient, zero output 

Enriching the soil with biocarbon, (a sustainable fertiliser): 

ensures nutrients do not flush out and increases agricultural procuctivity

Reference: Drarga 

Community of Drarga/Souss Massed, Morocco 

A new wastewater treatment plant was designed, involving the 

local residents. Almost 6.000 m2 reeds beds purify wastewater 

of 5.700 people and the treated wastewater is sold. Sludges are 

combined with organic waste to produce compost while methane 

gas is recovered and used to run pumps, thus reducing electricity 

consumption. 

Total investment: around 2.000.000 € 

The wastewater treatment plant 

Treatment proces of Drarga 

Purified water is sold to local farmers

Reference: Haran-al-Awamied 

Haran-Al-Awamied, Syria 

A new wastewater treatment plant with secondary treatment by reed 

bed, currently processing 2.800m2 for 14.000 inhabitants. A reed 

bed of 200m2 is used for sludge treatment. Treated wastewater is 

used for agriculture. Capital costs amount to 100.000 € 

Treatment proces 

primary sludge drying bed 

circular primary settling tank 

the village Haran-al-Awamied 

mineralised, earth-like sludge

Reference: El Minia & Nawaq 

El Minia & Nawaq, Egypt 

An experiment that converts sewage sludge from a wastewater 

treatment facility to a high quality, safe and efficient fertilizing soil 

conditioner in agriculture. Plants are growing significantly better 

using this fertilizer. The treatment plant is designed for 200.000 

inhabitants . The reed is re-used as biogas or fire material seen the 

hygienical condition of the soil. 

Treatment proces 

Reed bed treating sludge 

Test field for crops which are using the fertilizer and which are not: the third and fourth field are using the converted sludge

Reference: Wadi Mousa 

Wadi Mousa, near Petra, Jordan 

This wastewater re-use implementation project is treating 

wastewater to reduce strain on the aquifiers in this extreme dry and 

touristic region. Wastewater from the village and the many hotels is 

purified in the treatment facility to be re-used in agriculture. 

107 ha of farmland can be irrigated with the effluent. The 

investement of 20 million dollar is a significant contribution to fight 

poverty. 

Transportation system to the treatment plant 

Lack of water is a huge problem in the region Petra while tourism is increasing 

The treatment plants and some agricultural fields

Urban and Landscape Quality 

Apart from functional and quantitative aspects related to the water 

catchment function, the proposal addresses the issue of urban and 

landscape quality. To concentrate and reinforce the character of the built 

and unbuilt parts allows envisioning an environment where both are closely 

intertwined. The quality of life offered by the plan resides in this double 

strategy: 

1. The strategy of concentrating enhances the qualities of both 

parts: the city become more urban, with better (public) accessibility 

and better proximity to amenities; the landscape more open, attractive, 

sustainable and robust. 

2. The strategy of juxtaposition (or contrast) is creating a unique 

living environment, where two different worlds are just a few steps apart. 

For the future inhabitants, to be able to have a combined use of an urban 

and a rural environment, will offer a quality of life which is rare and definitely 

exceptional in a metropolis.

Grid 

road 

+100m 

Urban Spine 


Village 

Concentration & Connectivity 

Enabling by concentrating 

Channeling development along the ridge ring is primarily about 

connecting. The Ridge City is not a continuous linear strip of 

urbanization, but rather a collection of different entities along a 

transport infrastructure. Their concentration allows their efficient 

linking, amongst them as well as to other important nearby 

infrastructure. 

Water 

Grid 

1kmx1km 

road 

+100m 

1kmx1km 

Danger: Radiocentric, low-density sprawl, unstructured development along the new highway 

Releasing development pressure along strategically chosen infrastructure

Gated Community 

Connection Karaburun 

Connection to 

Terkos Basin 

Village 

Connection to 3rd 

Highway 

Picnic zone 

Village 

Arnavutkoy expansion 

Arnavutkoy center 

Hadimkoy 

TOKi 

Forest 

Connection Kucukcekmece 

basin, Istanbul city centre 

Ataturk Airport 

The Ridge City as a connection loop between diverse parts

More Urban, More Landscape 

Concentrating as a way to accentuate conditions 

The juxtaposition of the basin and the ridge condition as results 

from the concentration proposed in such close proximity creates a 

very specific situation. Each of the two conditions is made stronger 

by the presence of its complement, in a functional as well as in a 

cognitive way. The zone where the two meet, in the plan materialized 

in the forest/ recreation zone, produces a moment of ambiguity: 

the last zone of the city is at the same time the first zone of the 

landscape. 

200-800m 

ON (the ridge): Urban streetscape of varying character 

IN (the basin): Shaped city edge, framing of the void

Enriching Contrasts 

Specific living conditions 

Although such a development would offer a relatively rare living 

condition, the qualities provided are not too far from the qualities 

intrisically linked to Istanbul. Its ever present relief, the sudden 

panoramic views will mentally link the identity of the new city parts to 

the city as a whole. 

01 

02 

03 

04 

C 

05 

A lace-like city pattern encircling open spaces, vast landscape ‘rooms’ 

A 

F 

B 

06 07 

09 

10 

11 

12 

1314 

15 

16 

G 

D 

08 

E 

H 

Functional landscape as a public amenity: Water REservoir, Louisville, USA 

The city structure that relates to high grounds: part of the natural identity of Istanbul

90° 

60° 

120° 

90° 

150° 

1- Broad views, open segments of road 2- Long and narrow views, through the built fabric 3- Blocked view, forest + built

The Gradient City 

Tools for adapting city conditions along the ridge 

RIDGE ROAD 

First Perimeter along the Ridge 

Road tied to public transport: 

Intense Urban Centralities 

Second Perimeter: 

Levels of Urban intensity 

Third Perimeter: 

Residential Belt toward the Basin 

CITY OFFSET ROAD 

FOREST BAND 

Public Centralities 

(hybrid buildings) 

1 

1b 

2 

Volumes that define 

different characters of 

open space 

(public-semipublic) 

3 

4 

3 

4 

Variations on Private 

Developments, home 

and garden 

6 7 

5 

8 9 

Agriculture Block 

A toolbox of typologies creating a gradient from the most urban to the most rural condition, and their indicative functioning in zones. Soft edges or hard edges can be created where appropriate 

10

Adding a hard, formalized edge where a suburb meets the open landscape: Retaining Bars, Arizona, Steven Holl 

Hard west edge/ soft east edge/ islands of urbanity 

Soft edge, concealment, gradient: Hansaviertel in Tiergarten, Berlin

uilding materials 

energy supply 

drinking water 

food 

sewers

How to Process 

The underlying attitude of the project is that of an indirect steering of 

processes: certain goals having been set, guidelines are laid, providing an 

infrastructure for the city to happen. The exact outcome is not defined, but 

left open. The key to the healthy outcome of a process is depending on the 

critical use of steering: robust rules on the structuring principles, rigorously 

applied beyond short term interests and short range scopes should be 

combined with flexibile tools and incentives wherever possible, to meet the 

needs of the specific parties and the specific time. 

Different tools to create the conditions for this proposal to become real will 

be a necessary complement to the study of the functionality and the quality 

of the plan. Certain tools, explained in this chapter, accompany the study 

of the proposed Pilot Sites and concern time management, management of 

property rights, as well as an investigation of the possibilities for setting up 

a testing ground for cross-authorities collaboration. 

At this stage of the study, these tools are presented in their principle form 

and are meant to be further elaborated, enriched and refined through 

the following stages of the process, with the valuable input of the parties 

concerned for each fragment/ phase.

Phasing to Deal with Resistance 

A proposal for time management 

Implementation all at once 

Too much strenght required to 

overcome resistance 

Timeline of projects all in one 

0 yrs 5 yrs 10 yrs 15 yrs 20 yrs 

Level of resistance 

Phase 4 

Overall project duration can 

be shortened 

Phase 3 

Phase 2 

Phase 1 

Start where it is EASY 

show PROFIT 

8 yrs 13 yrs 

12 yrs 17 yrs

overcome resistance 

Timeline of projects all in one 

0 yrs 5 yrs 10 yrs 15 yrs 20 yrs 


Phase 4 

Overall project duration can 

be shortened 

Phase 3 

Phase 2 

Phase 1 

Start where it is EASY 

show PROFIT 

8 yrs 13 yrs 

12 yrs 17 yrs 

Implementation 1 

4 yrs 9 yrs 

0 yrs 5 yrs 

Resistance REDUCED as results of 

phase 01 become visible 


LONG TERM VISION: 

iSKi and Arnavutköy Municipality

Dividing to Pair 

Combining profitable and vulnerable parts in a single process 

The selection of projects within the vision in general, and most 

importantly for the first case studies, the pilot projects, should 

happen in a way that allows the development of a complete 

functional system, combining urban and landscape development. 

If part of the same operation, processes of property rights exchange 

can compensate owners of protected basin land with building rights 

on profitable land on the ridge. 

Pilot Sites that can realize the full scope ot the vision

Existing condition Arnavutkoy 

Urban pressure inviting sprawl, large consumption of land for low density develoment. Validated in the 

municipal masterplan 

Alternative proposed scenario: an offset for city growth, limiting horizontal development, preserving areas 

around the sweet water creeks, agricultural land, and landscape qualities 

An example of a project where ‘red’ pays for ‘green’: Waalwijk, NL 

Development can be intensified elsewhere, and landowners compensated for the land that they own outside 

the boundary by way of selling develoment rights, receiving living space in the city core, and still retaining 

their plots for further use, agricultural, allotments gardens, etc. A final option is to rent this land out for agricultural 

purposes, or sell it.

Arnavutköy: Platform for Collaboration 

Actors Pilot #01 

l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

(70%) 

-ease of implementation, minimum private ownership 

-relief growth pressure in Arnavutkoy centre 



- 


Municipality 

- Ministry support 


- launch 





5% 

Private 

(30%) 



- proximity to industrial cluster 

- 



treatment 



50% 

iSKi 

- establish protection zones through private 

developments 

- control developments in basin 

- monitor drinking water quality 



-allowed population density in 

area exceeded 

- 

- regulation revision 



20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

- increase& consolidate agricultural production 

- organize/ concentrate animal husbandry 

- - - advisory on regulation revision - 

IMM 




- masterplan excludes nonagricultural 

destined buildings 

from zone 


TOKi/KiPTAS 




- 



treatment 



25%



l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

(5%) 


- protection zone into public park 

- protection zone currently 

largely private and partly built 

- potential high construction 

and maintenance cost 


investors 

- launch 





50% 

Private 

(80%) 

- investment recreation facilities along public/ semiprivate 

park 

- increased value along new front 

- 



treatment 



30% 

State 

(15%) iSKi 

- protection eco-corridor 

- preventing erosion (avoid sediment into lake) 

- - 




20%



l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

- ease of implementation: large state ownership 




Municipality 


- launch 





5% 

Private 

(50%) 



- proximity to centre 

- 



treatment 

- exchange land with building rights 

iSKi 

- sustainable housing/ efficient use drinking water - 




20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

- increase& consolidate agricultural production - - - advisory on permit conditions - 

IMM 




- masterplan does not foresee 

building in state property zone 


State 

(50%) TOKi/KiPTAS 




- 



treatment 



75%



l 

land 

ownership/ 

main actors 

other actors 

opportunities 

regulations 

in conflict/ 

obstacles 

conditions 

operation 

investment 


Municipality 

(20%) 


- inject new identity to suburb/ prevent sprawl 

- empty space consolidation 


- 


investors 

- launch 





5% 

Private 

(70%) 

- living in proximity to centre as well as agriculture zone 

- high quality lanscape 

- increased property value 

- 



treatment 



60% 

State 

(10%) iSKi 

- control developments in basin zone 


- state property land = productive land 

- - 




20% 

Ministry of 

Agriculture 

-increased agricultural production - - - advisory on permit conditions - 

TOKi/KiPTAS 



- 



treatment 



15%

Creating Alliances 

Looking for the right partners for each process 

PILOT PROJECTS 

OF ALLIANCE 

01 

Arnavutköy Municipality + IMR 

iSKi 

02 

Arnavutköy Municipality + IMR 

Private Enterprise+TOKi 

03 

Private Enterprise+TOKi 

iSKi 

04 



iSKi 

05 

Private Industry? International Corporations? 

Transport Department? 

... 

... 

FUTURE 

DEVELOPMENT 

OF ISTANBUL 

ON THE 

METROPOLITAN 

AND 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCALE

Colophon 

This study is realized as part of the “Atelier Istanbul”, jointly organized by 

the Municipality of Arnavutkoy and the International Architecture Biennale 

Rotterdam (IABR) in the framework of the 5th IABR: Making City. 

Initiated and supervised by Asu Aksoy and Joachim Declerck, members of 

the 5th IABR Curator Team, and coordinated by Architecture Workroom, 

this study is the result of collaborative research and design by 51N4E (BE) 

and H+N+S Landscape Architects (NL). 

INITIATORS 

Municipality of Arnavutköy 

Ahmed Hasim Baltaci 

Osman Akkaya 

Gülnur Kadayifçi 

Elif Korkmaz 

International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam 

George Brugmans 

Henk Ovink 

Marieke Francke 

ATELIER ISTANBUL 

51N4E 

Freek Persyn 

Johan Anrys 

Peter Swinnen 

Sotiria Kornaropoulou 

Vesna Jovanovic 

Guido Brandi 

H+N+S Landscape Architects 

Lodewijk van Nieuwenhuijze 

Dirk Sijmons 

Jaap van der Salm 

Adam Hofland 

Joppe Veul 

Architecture Workroom Brussels 

Joachim Declerck 

Thomas Cattrysse 

5th IABR Istanbul Curator 

Asu Askoy 

External Experts 

Istanbul: Asli Cicek 

Water: Thorsten Schuetze – TU Delft, Sybrand Tjallingii – TU Delft 

Agriculture: Peter Smeets – Wageningen UR 

Development Strategy: Paul Jorna – BBN adviseurs 

with the support of NL EVD International, the Dutch Ministry of 

Infrastructure and the Environment, and the Dutch Ministry of Economic 

Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation

Making City Arnavutköy, Istanbul

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