Urban Design Project (Biyara) – Final Presentation
On January 22nd 2023, the Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Tishk International University- Sulaimani (TIUS), 5th-grade students delivered the final presentation of Urban Design Project.
Students were required to work on an urban-scale project that extended beyond the design of a single unit or building. Their objective was to integrate their designs into the broader urban fabric, considering the formation of streets, neighborhoods, and sectors to create a cohesive community.
The project was set in Biyara, a town within the Kurdistan Region, well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, as well as its historical and architectural significance. The chosen site presented the students with a challenge due to its steep slopes and varied contour lines, offering a complex yet valuable learning experience in redesigning such terrain.
Biyara, being a popular tourist destination, faces the issue of high vehicular traffic, which results in congestion and disrupts pedestrian movement. The students’ task was to analyze these urban problems meticulously and devise viable solutions.
Throughout their extensive journey, the students worked in four distinct groups, each adopting different themes such as Conservation and Environmental approaches. They reimagined the main street, the marketplace, and residential areas of Biyara, applying their knowledge and creativity to address the town’s unique challenges.
This project not only honed their architectural skills but also instilled in them a deeper understanding of the responsibilities involved in urban design and planning, especially in contexts sensitive to both cultural heritage and natural landscapes.
