Research Article

Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities

Number: 2 September 10, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities

Abstract

The study evaluates Gaziantep and Aleppo as twin cities due to their proximity on both sides of the Turkish-Syrian border, as well as their close economic, social, and cultural ties. In this study, the impact of the mutual relationship on the history and urban development processes of the two cities was examined, with a focus on comparing urban expansion during the Ottoman period to the period following the two towns' split. By conducting a detailed literature review, the concepts of twin city and twinning were emphasized, and the similarities were revealed by evaluating the historical development of the two cities. After revealing the unique relationship between the cities of Gaziantep and Aleppo, as well as the challenges faced in establishing effective collaboration between them, it has become apparent that there is a requirement for joint urban, economic, and cultural initiatives to enhance the regional standing of both cities. To address this, a twinning project model has been developed by proposing a range of solutions in this direction. The proposed twinning project between Gaziantep and Aleppo will offer many advantages, but if it is not well organized, problems such as workforce imbalance are likely to arise. Therefore, matching should be thoroughly researched and matching-related issues should be regularly monitored to achieve common goals.

Keywords

Thanks

The article produced from Master's Thesis at Dicle University Institute of Science, Department of Architecture in 2023.

References

  1. Bunnell, T., Muzaini, H., Sidaway, J.D. Global city frontiers: Singapore's hinterland and the contested socio-political geographies of Bintan, Indonesia, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 2006; 30(1), 3-22.
  2. Lapidus, I. M. Middle Eastern cities: A symposium on ancient, Islamic, and contemporary Middle Eastern urbanism. Univ of California Press.1969; 99.
  3. Zelinsky, W. The twinning of the world: Sister cities in geographic and historical perspective. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 1991; 81(1), 1-31.
  4. Tambi, S. The contemporary development of the concept of the twin cities: The case of cross-border cooperation between Narva and Ivangorod. Tartu- Estonia: University of Tartu.2016.
  5. Handley, S. Take Your Partners. The Local Authority Handbook on International Partnerships. London: Local Government International Bureau. Access Address: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/190428. Access Date: 27.05.2011.
  6. Atasoy, A., Geçen, R. Korkmaz S.H. Syrian Border In Terms of Political Geograhy. Conference: Tücaum, VII. Coğrafya Sempozyumu, Ankara. 2012; 108-119.
  7. Anuar, A. R. Mustafa, M. M., Farhat, A. Danok-Bukit-Kayu Hitam, twin border towns on the Thailand-Malaysia’s border. Transnational Dynamics in Southeast Asia: The Greater Mekong Subregion and Malacca Straits Economic Corridors. 2013; 321-337.
  8. Google Earth. Turkey and Syria Line. Access Address: https://earth.google.co.zm/. Access Date: 23.07.2024.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regulatory Planning and Development Assessment, Urban Analysis and Development, Regional Analysis and Planning in Turkiye

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 10, 2026

Submission Date

April 1, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2

APA
Hasan, G., & Koç, C. (2026). Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi, 2. https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB
AMA
1.Hasan G, Koç C. Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities. BUTS. 2026;(2). https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB
Chicago
Hasan, Gouran, and Canan Koç. 2026. “Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo As Twin Cities”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi, nos. 2. https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB.
EndNote
Hasan G, Koç C (September 1, 2026) Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi 2
IEEE
[1]G. Hasan and C. Koç, “Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities”, BUTS, no. 2, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB
ISNAD
Hasan, Gouran - Koç, Canan. “Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo As Twin Cities”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi. 2 (September 1, 2026). https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB.
JAMA
1.Hasan G, Koç C. Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities. BUTS. 2026. Available at https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB.
MLA
Hasan, Gouran, and Canan Koç. “Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo As Twin Cities”. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi, no. 2, Sept. 2026, https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB.
Vancouver
1.Gouran Hasan, Canan Koç. Evaluation of Gaziantep and Aleppo as Twin Cities. BUTS [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 1;(2). Available from: https://izlik.org/JA67FU76TB
This journal is prepared and published by the Bingöl University Technical Sciences journal team.