Building 4Humanity
Design Competition — 2019 Taiwan Prize
2nd EDITION — 2019
DESIGNING FOR THE INTEGRATION AND INCLUSION OF SYRIAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY
Introduction
In 2019, the 2nd edition of Building 4Humanity Design Competition (B4H-DC) aims to address the notion of having architecture as a social and cultural facility, by seeking design ideas that would contribute towards the social inclusion and integration of Syrian war refugees in the Turkish border city of Reyhanlı. The competition has two separate categories: it welcomes submissions from students and recent graduates, as well as experienced professionals.
Background
Over 5.6 million people have fled Syria since the outbreak of war in 2011, seeking safety in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and beyond (UNHCR, 2018). Turkey alone has accommodated a staggering number of more than 3.6 million Syrians over this period of time. At least 90% of these people are living outside of refugee camps in urban or peri-urban areas, of which 70% are women and children. It is estimated that 40% (about 380,000) of Syrian children currently have no access to education and basic health care services.
Reyhanlı is a small Turkish town bordering with Syria in the province of Hatay located on the southeast of Turkey. As the main gateway from Turkey to Aleppo in Syria, the town has become the main entry point for Syrians seeking asylum during the escalating conflict. As a consequence, in the last 8 years, the population of Reyhanlı has nearly doubled, progressively absorbing hundreds of thousands of Syrians who do not envisage a restoration of peace in their home country in the short term.
Although featuring a quiet urban environment, Reyhanlı is not entirely free from the risk of war aggression. In May 2013, Reyhanlı experienced two bombing attacks in the same day, killing 52 people and wounding 146 people. Since 2011, it has also been the target of many rocket attacks that have caused further casualties, with the most recent ones being in January 2018.
In addition to terrorist attacks, Reyhanlı has experienced social problems due to the sudden rise in population. These problems pertain to poverty, unemployment, shortage of water and electricity, a lack of infrastructure, insufficient public facilities for housing, health, education and recreation. These problems are the sources of increasing tension between Turks and Syrians in Reyhanlı.
Participating Institutions and Roles 2019
Founder and holder of the Building 4Humanity Design Competition:
NGO Building 4Humanity, Designing and Reconstructing Communities Association
Commissioning body 2019:
Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission in Ankara, Turkey
Ortadoğu Vakfı (Middle East Foundation), Turkey
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Organizers 2019:
A.M. Architekturmuseum der TU München, Germany
Alliance of Architectural Modernity, Taiwan
Building 4Humanity, Designing and Reconstructing Communities Association (B4H-DC competition holder), Portugal
Department of Architecture, Shih Chien University, Taiwan
Yasar University
Izmir Architecture Center
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, Portugal
The Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design (CIAUD), Faculty of Architecture, University of Lisbon Portugal
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Permanent Chairs:
Nuno MARTINS (Portugal), Executive Director of NGO Building 4Humanity and Rui FERNANDES (Portugal), President of NGO Building 4Humanity
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Competition Directors 2019:
CHIU Chen-Yu (Turkey), Nuno MARTINS (Portugal), and WANG Chun-Hsiung (Taiwan)
Executive Managers 2019:
HUANG Shao-Yu; Selin Åžahin
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Sponsors

WINNERS 2019
2nd Edition
Winners have been announced for the 2nd edition of the Building 4Humanity Design Competition (B4H-DC) — 2019 Taiwan Prize. The second edition of B4H-DC aimed to address the notion of having architecture as a social and cultural facility, by seeking design ideas that would contribute towards the social inclusion and integration of Syrian war refugees in the Turkish border city of Reyhanlı.
1st Edition — 2018
The inaugural Building 4Humanity Design Competition (B4H-DC) was held in 2018. The 2018 B4H-DC focused on disaster risk worldwide. It received more than 60 submissions.
A total prize money of over 11,000€ was awarded to nine teams.
2019. Building 4Humanity Design Competition I Contact: 2019.b4h.designcompetition@gmail.com I building4humanity@gmail.com