A City Within a Landscape, Not Against It 

Oyakkent, developed for OYAK in Başakşehir, Istanbul, is not merely a new residential area — it is an urban manifesto for 21st-century living. Built on a site with complex topography and deep ecological layers, the masterplan proposes a new urban form shaped by nature, social structure, and long-term sustainability. 

From the beginning, the guiding framework was Avcı Architects’ 3E Philosophy — Ecology, Economy, Ethics. Every element of the design — from zoning and building typologies to stormwater systems and pedestrian networks — was conceived as part of an interdependent urban ecosystem. 

Reading the Site — Designing with Topography 

The design process began with a deep reading of the land: 

• Valleys informed green corridors and public realm strategies 

• Hilltops guided view corridors and landmark placements 

• Wind and solar orientation shaped massing and street layouts 

• Soil and water conditions defined buildable zones vs. recreational landscape 

Rather than flatten the terrain, the design uses its elevation shifts to define character. Each “neighborhood cluster” is crafted with sensitivity to slope, sunlight, access, and visual experience. This results in a city where topography becomes the urban grammar — offering a sense of place beyond uniform grid logic. 

The Neighborhood as a Living Unit 

A core ambition was to create not just housing, but neighborhoods as complete social ecosystems. Drawing from studies of Istanbul’s historic districts like Beyoğlu and Fatih, the masterplan defines 12 self-sufficient “mahalle” units — each designed to include: 

• Education and healthcare facilities 

• Local commerce and markets 

• Worship spaces and civic centers 

• Playgrounds, green courtyards, and social hubs 

• Housing for a diversity of income levels and life stages 

This decentralized social model supports walkability, belonging, and a vibrant everyday culture — qualities often lost in megaproject developments. 

Mobility, Not Just Infrastructure 

Movement in Oyakkent prioritizes people over cars. While roads and transit systems are integrated, the plan embeds a layered mobility network: 

• Primary vehicular roads follow topographic contours 

• Tram and shuttle loops create internal public transport 

• Pedestrian promenades and bicycle networks connect neighborhoods through the central green spine 

• Bridges and terraces resolve steep transitions, while ensuring access for all ages and abilities 

By design, most residents can access daily needs — work, education, recreation — within a 10-minute walk. This is a city that breathes, not just moves. 

Green Infrastructure as Urban Armature 

One of the most striking features of the Oyakkent Masterplan is the “Green Ring” — a continuous landscape system that interweaves all urban components. This system: 

• Captures and channels rainwater 

• Connects parks, squares, and playgrounds 

• Hosts urban agriculture plots and community gardens 

• Supports habitat continuity and biodiversity 

• Defines neighborhood edges and reinforces public space hierarchies 

At every scale — regional, district, block — green infrastructure is treated as structure, not décor. From tree-lined boulevards to micro-valleys, the landscape is both a carrier of life and a platform for social interaction. 

Typology Diversity and Social Resilience 

Oyakkent avoids monotony through a diverse mix of housing types and building morphologies: 

• Mansions and row houses on sloped zones 

• Courtyard blocks with shared semi-public gardens 

• Mixed-use towers and podiums along commercial axes 

• Apartment clusters with green buffers in flatter sections 

• Avlu + high-rise hybrids facing major boulevards 

Each typology responds to site-specific conditions, demographic variation, and programmatic need — creating a patchwork city that grows from within. 

Designing for “One Planet” Living 

The masterplan embraces principles of “One Planet Living”, addressing every aspect of urban sustainability: 

• Carbon Minimization 

• Zero Waste Strategy 

• Sustainable Mobility 

• Cultural Heritage and Community Identity 

• Smart Water Use 

• Local & Healthy Materials 

• Habitat Protection and Integration 

• Health and Well-being 

• Equity and Local Economies 

• Sustainable Food Systems 

These values are not afterthoughts — they are embedded into zoning rules, building regulations, infrastructure design, and social policy recommendations. The result is a blueprint for a truly regenerative urban future.