Students of the Department of Architecture at Istanbul Ticaret University presented their neighborhood design projects, developed with a focus on Zeytinburnu, to a jury composed of distinguished experts in the field. The event brought together Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten, our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek, and Zeytinburnu Municipality Deputy Mayor İdris Atabay. Following the successful completion of their final presentations, 14 graduating students officially took their first step into the architectural profession through a symbolic hard hat ceremony.
Students from the Department of Architecture within the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Istanbul Ticaret University delivered the final presentations of their graduation projects entitled “Neighborhood Design with New Paradigms.” Focusing on the district of Zeytinburnu, the students presented their design proposals addressing the relationship between the city, people, and the built environment.
The event, held at the Ahî Çelebi Campus in Eminönü, was attended by renowned engineer and author Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten, widely recognized for his studies on cities, civilization, and architecture; our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek; Zeytinburnu Municipality Deputy Mayor İdris Atabay; our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Berk Ayvaz; our Secretary General Erdal Cesar; Director of the Vocational School Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Ceylan; Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Assist. Prof. Sacide Akın; as well as faculty members and students. Upon successfully completing their presentations, 14 graduating students marked the beginning of their professional careers by participating in the symbolic hard hat ceremony.
PROF. DR. SADETTİN ÖKTEN MET WITH THE STUDENTS
Serving as a member of the jury, Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten reviewed the students’ projects and shared his professional insights. He emphasized that architecture is not merely about designing buildings, but is fundamentally connected to the vision of civilization and urban culture. Drawing on his extensive professional experience, he encouraged students to approach architecture from a broader cultural and societal perspective.
ATABAY: “THE FUTURE OF CITIES IS SHAPED THROUGH SOUND PLANNING”
As a jury member, İdris Atabay emphasized that urban planning directly influences the future of societies. He noted the importance of addressing neighborhood culture, employment opportunities, social life, and transportation networks in an integrated manner within the students’ projects. Atabay stated that he particularly appreciated proposals promoting a human-centered and sustainable approach to urban development.
He also underlined the importance of planning strategies that respect the existing urban fabric and social structure, adding that the innovative ideas developed by the future architects offer valuable perspectives for shaping the cities of tomorrow.
Assist. Prof. Sacide Akın stated that graduation projects represent one of the most comprehensive outcomes of the knowledge and experience students acquire throughout their undergraduate education. She emphasized the significance of the original perspectives that the future architects developed regarding the concepts of the city and the neighborhood.
REINTERPRETING THE CONCEPT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
As part of their graduation projects, the students selected Zeytinburnu—one of Istanbul’s historically, culturally, and socially significant districts—as their study area. Beginning at the block and parcel scale, they re-evaluated the district’s neighborhoods by proposing comprehensive design approaches encompassing residential areas, social amenities, public spaces, and cultural facilities.
The projects, developed over several months, explored themes such as sustainability, collective memory, public life, mobility, social integration, and urban transformation from diverse and innovative perspectives.
