The work program of CAT and the events which take place within the context of this program are based on the following main principles:

A World Where Peace, Cultural Development and Life is Defended!

In the face of cultural annihilation and destruction of cities, shaping the world by protecting peace, cultural values and human life are among the primary responsibilities of the architectural community.

Cities where Contemporary - Scientific Planning and Building Mentalities Dominate!

The development of living environment and production of architectural work has to be integrated with contemporary - scientific planning and building principles. In this context, all investment decisions regarding “urban regeneration” and “transformation” projects have to be oriented towards public benefit.

Developing and Extending the Associations between Architecture and City!

In the face of adverse influences that affect architectural and urban developments, the experience of model architect- citizen solidarity initiatives has to be further develop and extend

Equal and Liberal Professional Interaction instead of Inconsistent Professional Circulation!

The international community is openly criticizing the inequalities and cultural destruction caused by the freedom of circulation established by the World Trade Organization in trade in services (GATS). Within the EU, the idea of a union where the basic strategy is the removal of obstacles to free circulation and to achieve this, in principle, with minimum rules, that is without any rules is now extensively questioned. These changes, whose reflections have started to emerge in the international architectural organizations are strengthening our hopes for achieving equality and mutual esteem as principles of professional interaction and exchange.

A New Professional Regime

Our main goal is the realization of a new professional structure where authorities and responsibilities covering architectural education, accreditation of schools of architecture, professional qualification and continuous professional development are clearly defined and developed through the cooperation of all the segments of the architectural field.

Improving Legal Arrangements on Public Improvement, Building Conservation and Environment!
Achieving the healthy development and transformation of our cities and buildings is only possible through the systematic organization of the body of current law on public improvement, building conservation and environment. In this system, delegation of administrative responsibilities and dissemination of authority among different professions emerge as major problem areas.

Towards an Architectural Policy for Turkey

A basic architectural policy needs to be defined if quality architectural services and the society are to meet. Our principle goal is to strengthen the initiated work with strategy documents and ethical codes, to present them to the general public and at the end of this process to obtain an official policy document.

Transformation of Architectural Practice and the Law on Architecture

The process of developing an architectural policy for Turkey and the legal regulations for professional practice are studies which are definitely interconnected. We will continue to work in response to the inadequacy of legal arrangements regarding professional practice and to ensure professional guarantees in face of the global developments. If we consider the fact that today the terms of practicing the architectural profession, which is the basic factor in the production of the built environment, is becoming more and more diversified and enriched and associating with other practice areas (interface areas), the need to develop new definitions regarding professional practice and to base them on a strong legal basis become apparent. In this context, our new professional regime has to be questioned in terms of the rationalization of the construction sector and increasing its productivity. We believe that studies in this vain will enlighten discussions on the future.

Society and Architecture

In the framework of social responsibility of the architectural profession, work will be undertaken towards improving the quality of today’s society and undertaking themes consistent with this context will prevail. These efforts will include discussing architecture with the people, producing people-oriented architectural publications, introduction of architecture to the society and to convince the society that architecture is necessary for them. To this end, various platforms will be created on a variety of subjects such as “children and architecture”, “poverty and architecture” and “cultural identity and architecture” and other activities will be organized. Briefing meetings about architecture, architectural publications, web forums and stronger press relations are also among the “society and architecture” activities.

City, Culture and Democracy Forum

The Chamber of Architects is organising City, Culture and Democracy Fora in Sinop, Hatay, Van and İstanbul to provided an assessment platform to discuss the spatial manifestations of the current multidimensional global crisis, where urban and community organisations and members of the cultuer, art and scientific communites come together. With the four regional meetings, we are targeting to obtain input into the formulation of an Architectural Policy for Turkey and the establishment of cultural policies and a tradition of democracy under the adverse conditions of our day which completely shatters the urbanisation and architetural processes and leads the society into chaos. With these Fora, we are aiming at producing a period-based document covering the architectural environment, cities, culture, democracy and architectural policy and to facilitate re-merging of the culture and art circles with the society