Memory Akhisar: Reimagining the Urban Memory of an Anatolian City

Memory Akhisar project is a comprehensive urban transformation initiative that breathes new life into a historically important area of Akhisar, Turkey. Rooted in the cultural and social fabric of Anatolian cities, the project reinterprets the traditional town square by integrating modern public functions, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and a layered landscape design that reconnects people with the city’s memory.

A New Civic Axis and Urban Memory Path

A central element of the project is the creation of a strong urban axis that connects the new municipal building with the project site. This axis forms a symbolic "memory path": a spatial link between the historical identity of Akhisar and its evolving civic life.

This path connects two major public nodes in the city: the new formal municipal center and the informal, activity-rich public square. It becomes a dynamic narrative that guides people through spaces representing both the past and present of the city.

The Public Square as a Social Catalyst

At the intersection of key social and commercial routes, the new public square becomes the heart of the Akhisar Life Hub. Designed as a flexible, permeable, and reprogrammable urban surface, the square supports a wide range of community functions including:

• Open-air markets
• Local fairs
• Festivals and celebrations
• Spontaneous social gatherings

The square serves as a modern interpretation of the traditional Anatolian town center: informal, welcoming, and centered on community life.

Architectural Highlights and Landscape Integration

A distinctive architectural feature of the square is a lightweight canopy that defines and shelters the spaces beneath. Inspired by both rural and urban forms, this structure creates semi-open areas that encourage everyday interactions, shaded movement, and spontaneous use.

The project also prioritizes pedestrianization: the vehicular road on the western side of the site has been entirely closed to traffic, allowing for free, uninterrupted public use. The remaining access road has been preserved to support circulation, while the site has been organized into functional clusters connected through a cohesive visual language across the square.

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings

One of the key strategies of the project is the adaptive reuse of important civic buildings:

• The former Municipal Building has been repurposed as the Akhisar Life and Knowledge Center. It now houses:
• A city library
• Municipal archives
• Exhibition spaces featuring documents, photos, and visual histories of Akhisar
• Galleries for local arts and crafts

This transformation enriches the public's experience and reconnects the building to daily urban life.

• The old cinema, a beloved cultural venue, has been preserved in its original function but redefined as a contemporary arts center. It now hosts cinema screenings, theater, concerts, and other performances.
• An existing school building has been converted into a Lifelong Learning Center, supporting Akhisar’s role as a regional center for agriculture and trade. It offers training and education programs aimed at developing a skilled local workforce and promoting socio-economic growth.

Religious Space as a Civic Element

The New Gulruh Mosque, previously hidden behind low-quality walls, has been opened to the city through a carefully designed landscape intervention. Now, the mosque is a visible and easily accessible part of the square - not just a place of worship but a social and spatial connector.

Rather than being isolated, the mosque is reimagined as an integrated civic element, participating in the daily life of the square and contributing to the plurality of public space.

A Model for Modern Anatolian Urbanism

The Akhisar Life Hub stands as a model for contemporary urban regeneration in Anatolia. It successfully blends:

• Historic preservation
• New architectural and landscape interventions
• Flexible public use
• Community-centered design

This project strengthens Akhisar’s urban identity while offering a sustainable and inclusive vision for the future of mid-scale cities in Turkey.