MARDİN PARTICIPATORY URBAN REHABILITATION PROJECT, 2000–2004

Founded and directed by Pelin Derviş, Atmosfer Planning and Design Office carried out documentation, analysis, and design work as part of the Mardin Participatory Urban Rehabilitation Project, undertaken in collaboration with Professor Atilla Yücel on behalf of the ITU Development Foundation, in partnership with the GAP Regional Development Administration, the United Nations Development Programme, and Istanbul Technical University.

The work included the General Typological and Morphological Analysis, which involved digitizing the map of Mardin, locating approximately 200 previously surveyed buildings on the map, and cataloging and photographically documenting them; the Sipahiler Bazaar Restoration and Environmental Improvement Project; and documentation of the areas around the Red Church and Zeyd Mosque, as well as a 1.5-kilometer street and 11 abbaras (traditional covered passageways). The project also included documentation for a restoration and adaptive reuse project for tourism purposes covering the Historic Bazaar Area, Tuz Hanı, the Old Hotel Building, and ancillary structures in central Adıyaman.

The project was conceived with the aim of fostering local participation and enabling local stakeholders to take future ownership of the knowledge generated through the project.