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Project 02
80s Coastal Park
A coastal park redesign combining nostalgia, ecological conservation and historical memory
Tuşba, Van, Türkiye2026Waterfront & Recreation
Overview
Nostalgia as Design Method
80s Coastal Park redesigns the existing coastal area through the memory of the 1980s. Rather than dividing the park into independent programme zones, the entire site is orchestrated around three primary landscape characters — the Northern Nostalgic Landscape, the Protected Reed Wetland and the Southern Dark Landscape. Nostalgia, ecological conservation and historical memory are combined within a single landscape experience, creating a park that is both deeply specific to its location and accessible to the public.
Landscape ArchitectConcept DesignThematic Landscape DesignMaster Planning3D ModelingVisualizationVideo Presentation
80s Coastal Park is a 63-hectare academic landscape architecture project located on the Lake Van shoreline in Tuşba, Van. The project integrates nostalgia, ecological conservation, historical interpretation, public recreation and coastal landscape restoration within one coherent landscape masterplan. Organised into three primary landscape regions — the Northern Nostalgic Landscape, the Protected Reed Wetland and the Southern Dark Landscape — the design uses landscape as a medium for preserving collective memory: natural systems are protected rather than recreated, and historical events are interpreted through spatial experiences instead of conventional monuments. The concept development, planning, design, 3D modeling, visualization, video presentation and presentation board were completed by Emirhan Yalçın during university education.
Key Facts
Project Details
63 hectares / 630,000 m²Area
3,080 mCoastal Front
2026Year
Tuşba, Van, TürkiyeLocation
Academic Thematic Landscape ProjectProject Type
7Zones
630 VehiclesParking
830 mBoardwalk / Bridge
63Plant Species
2.8 hectaresWetland Area
Design Approach
Project Highlights
01Nostalgic design strategy rooted in the collective memory of the 1980s
02Three landscape regions — Northern Nostalgic Landscape, Protected Reed Wetland, Southern Dark Landscape
03Continuous promenade following the existing shoreline with bicycle routes and uninterrupted Lake Van views
04Northern Nostalgic Landscape recreating the 1980s atmosphere through planting, open spaces, café terraces and the carnival area
05Protected Reed Wetland preserving the existing wetland ecosystem with observation platforms, bird habitat, rehabilitation of an existing drainage channel and carefully controlled visitor access
06Southern Dark Landscape interpreting significant historical events of the 1980s — including Chernobyl, Challenger, Berlin Wall, 1980 Turkish coup and El Chichón — through spatial design rather than conventional monuments
07830-metre Wetland Boardwalk with bird observation platforms connecting the northern and southern regions
081,000-seat open-air amphitheatre designed for concerts, theatre, festivals and community events
09Distributed parking areas reducing vehicle concentration while providing access to multiple park entrances
10Drive-in and open-air cinema inspired by 1980s cinema culture within the Northern Nostalgic Landscape
1180s Museum presenting local and global events of the decade through interpretive displays
1280s Carnival Area inspired by the atmosphere of 1980s public festivals and community celebrations
Spatial Strategy
Three-Part Landscape
The park is organised as a sequence of three distinct landscape regions — the Northern Nostalgic Landscape, the Protected Reed Wetland and the Southern Dark Landscape — each with its own character, programme and atmosphere, connected by the continuous coastal promenade and boardwalk system.
01
Northern Nostalgic Landscape
This region recreates the atmosphere of the 1980s through planting design, open gathering spaces, recreational activities, bicycle routes, cultural references and views toward Lake Van. Its programming is centred on a lively carnival atmosphere and social recreation: a 1,000-seat open-air amphitheatre hosts concerts, theatre and community festivals, while a drive-in open-air cinema recalls the decade's cinema culture. An 80s museum interprets local and global events of the period through curated exhibits, and a network of nostalgic gathering spaces — cafés, terraces, lawns and shaded seating — supports everyday social activity, informal recreation and cultural interpretation across the landscape.
02
Protected Reed Wetland
The Protected Reed Wetland conserves an existing wetland habitat that has been preserved and ecologically restored as part of the project. Restoration works rehabilitate an existing drainage channel affected by industrial discharge and odour: water flow is maintained, the channel is selectively covered, and landscape treatment improves environmental quality without interrupting natural drainage. The wetland supports rich biodiversity — the reed beds provide breeding and feeding habitat for numerous bird species — and visitor access is carefully controlled through minimal interventions and observation platforms, allowing seasonal birdwatching while limiting disturbance to wildlife. Interpretive signage and environmental education programming introduce visitors to wetland ecology, encouraging conservation-minded use of the landscape.
03
Southern Dark Landscape
The Southern Dark Landscape is formed on a fill area approximately five metres higher than the surrounding natural terrain. Visitors move through a sequence of outdoor spaces representing different historical events of the 1980s through landscape architecture rather than conventional monuments. Planting, hardscape, topography, open space and strategic viewpoints combine to create a reflective sequence of themed landscape experiences including the Chernobyl disaster memorial landscape, the Space Shuttle Challenger memorial area, the Berlin Wall interpretation space, a 1980 Turkish coup interpretation and the El Chichón volcano interpretation. The elevated Southern Dark Landscape is connected to the Northern Nostalgic Landscape through the long boardwalk crossing the Protected Reed Wetland.
Gallery
Project Images
Project Experience
80s Coastal Park — Project Video
A cinematic walkthrough of the 80s Coastal Park showcasing the design concept, the three landscape regions, view graphic animation motion, and project atmosphere.
Master Plan
Master Plan
The master plan is organized around three principal landscape regions: the Northern Nostalgic Landscape, the Protected Reed Wetland and the Southern Dark Landscape. The circulation system connects these three regions through pedestrian routes, bridges and public spaces while preserving the existing wetland reed ecosystem.
Software
SketchUpLumionAutoCADPhotoshop
Services
Landscape ArchitectureUrban DesignWaterfront PlanningPlanting Design
