Neighborhood No:1 - A New Neighborhood Vision for Adana, Turkiye

Neighborhood No:1 is an urban design proposal developed for the Adana Neighborhood Design Ideas Competition, envisioning a self-sufficient, sustainable, and socially inclusive neighborhood. Rooted in local culture and climate-responsive strategies, the design aims to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and restore the human-scale fabric of Adana.

Urban Context and Design Approach

Adana, located in the fertile Çukurova Basin, is defined by its Mediterranean climate, young population, and rich cultural heritage. However, decades of unplanned growth have fragmented the city’s structure and weakened its traditional neighborhood character.

The proposal responds to these issues by reintroducing compact, walkable urban units that prioritize livability, climate adaptation, and social connection. The design process began with an in-depth analysis of Adana’s urban textures, including:

• Tepebağ: the historic, organically grown core,
• TOKİ Housing: recent, large-scale top-down developments,
• Akıncılar: a gridded, mixed-use neighborhood with vibrant street life.

These typologies informed a hybrid strategy that balances tradition with contemporary needs.

Central Spine as Social and Ecological Framework

At the heart of the proposal lies a central green spine a multifunctional public corridor that structures the neighborhood spatially and socially. It includes:

• Shaded pedestrian and cycling paths,
• Flexible plazas and recreational areas,
• Cultural and student facilities,
• Health and education units,
• Local markets and gathering spaces.

This spine enhances walkability, integrates green infrastructure, and encourages daily interaction. Designed with lightweight, modular elements, it also functions as an emergency gathering space-combining resilience with livability.

Public Life and Social Diversity

Adana has a significant youth population, with around 40% under the age of 25, yet public spaces that foster diverse social encounters remain limited. The proposed neighborhood promotes inclusion and interaction through:

• Layered public, semi-public, and private spaces,
• Communal courtyards and shaded squares,
• Active ground-floor commercial units,
• Flexible use zones for cultural activities and informal events.

This approach strengthens community bonds and creates a socially rich, adaptable urban environment.

Housing and Architectural Typology

Residential blocks are organized within a grid system, maintaining a maximum of six stories to preserve a human scale. Building massing is fragmented to avoid uniformity and to create:

• Interconnected courtyards and shared terraces,
• Permeable transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces,
• Balconies and rooftop gardens for microclimate comfort,
• Integration with the green spine and adjacent streets.

Ground-floor commercial units are included at regular intervals to maintain active street life, while the mix of open and semi-private spaces encourages spontaneous interaction and community-building.

Climate-Responsive and Energy-Efficient Design

The neighborhood is designed to respond to Adana’s hot Mediterranean climate and high solar exposure. Sustainable strategies include:

• Rooftop solar panels integrated with building forms,
• Green roofs using drought-tolerant sedum species,
• Passive cooling through cross-ventilation and natural shading,
• Use of local vegetation in landscape design,
• Permeable surfaces for rainwater management.

Energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental integration are addressed holistically across the entire neighborhood.

Mobility and Urban Infrastructure

A pedestrian-first mobility strategy minimizes car dependency while enhancing accessibility:

This low-impact infrastructure model supports healthier, safer, and more sustainable urban living.

Landscape and Local Ecology

The landscape design draws from Adana’s native Mediterranean ecology and supports year-round outdoor use. Key principles include:

• Use of endemic maquis species (olive, myrtle, carob, etc.),
• Shaded pedestrian corridors and pocket gardens,
• Courtyard and green belt integration with housing blocks,
• Ecological corridors to boost biodiversity and urban cooling.

The green spine acts as both an environmental and social catalyst, improving microclimates and promoting nature-based living.

Scalability and Urban Continuity

Though designed for Adana, the proposed framework is modular and scalable, adaptable to other Mediterranean cities facing similar challenges. The central spine can link with adjacent neighborhoods, forming a broader network of social, ecological, and pedestrian corridors.

Conclusion

Neighborhood No:1 offers a forward-looking yet locally rooted model for neighborhood design in Adana. By combining compact urbanism, public space integration, climate sensitivity, and community infrastructure, the project proposes a replicable blueprint for future Mediterranean cities-one that is resilient, inclusive, and deeply connected to place.