Hydro-City in Istanbul: Redefining Urban Development

Creating a Sustainable and Vibrant Tourism Destination

The Hydro-City project is situated on the water basin from Terkos lake, encompassing a natural plateau area abundant with resources. The site presents complex geomorphologic elements, including subterranean drainage and limestone bedrock in the Karsts region. To address these challenges, the project proposes a water infrastructure system that integrates with the natural environment and rehabilitates industrial areas.

What sets the Hydro-City project apart is its integration of urban design with the mining landscape. By combining touristic areas with agro-industrial uses and water treatment through algae farms, the project creates a harmonious blend of nature, industry, and leisure. The design embraces the existing topological configuration of the site, seamlessly blending the built environment with the natural surroundings.

The realization of the Hydro-City project requires careful consideration of existing infrastructure. The project aims to reinforce the stretched roads and transportation networks in Arnavutkoy, while also expanding residential and industrial facilities. The use of ArcGIS for design and land evaluation, along with 3D Rhino for parametric architectural design, enables precise measurement and evaluation of the complex built environment.

With an area of approximately 1,500,000 square meters, the Hydro-City project encompasses urban planning, landscape design, and architecture. Its key objective is to create a tourism destination that offers a wide range of leisure activities. The design includes parks, open public spaces, hotels, housing, institutions, waterfront areas, farms, and various leisure activity places, all aimed at revitalizing the local economy and providing a unique experience for visitors.

The Hydro-City project was initiated in September 2011 in Rotterdam and completed in June 2012. It was exhibited at the Berlage Institute in July 2012, showcasing its innovative approach to urban development. The project's underlying research focused on utilizing the existing geological formation in the north of Arnavutkoy as a typological model for a new productive urban landscape. By circulating economic, nutrient, and resource loops, the project aims to benefit both the local community and the environment.

One of the main challenges faced by the Hydro-City project was the impact of mining on the site. The open-pit quarry of coal transformed the area into a series of artificial topographies and lakes, which now require extensive remediation through planting. Overcoming the dynamic terrain conditions, the project proposed a network of roads that partially leveled the topography, creating a water source area at the bottom of a multiple node system.

The Hydro-City project redefines water infrastructure and offers alternate urban development solutions for the rehabilitated post-industrial site. By fully embracing the natural environment's shape and integrating diverse elements, it creates a sustainable and vibrant tourism destination in Istanbul. The project has been recognized for its excellence and innovation, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in City Planning and Urban Design in 2021.

With the Hydro-City project, Jung Hyun Woo has demonstrated the potential of urban design to transform post-industrial landscapes into thriving and sustainable communities. By embracing the unique features of the site and integrating them with innovative solutions, this project sets a new standard for urban development in Istanbul.