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.

Commissioning body:

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission in Ankara, Turkey
• Ortadoğu Vakfı (Middle East Foundation), Turkey

​Organizers:

• 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
• 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

Competition Directors: CHIU Chen-Yu (Turkey), Nuno MARTINS (Portugal), and WANG Chun-Hsiung (Taiwan)

Director of Executive Team: HUANG Shao-Yu