Urban fascia: exploring the crossroads of urban design and hydrological heritage

Purpose Rapid urbanization and infrastructure-led transformation have fragmented the relationship between historic water systems and contemporary urban landscapes, reducing many hydrological heritage structures to isolated monuments disconnected from ecological and social functions. This paper investigates the relationship between hydrological heritage and urban design through the case of Istanbul's Kirkçesme water supply system. It aims to reinterpret the city's layered water memory by framing this Ottoman infrastructure within the contexts of sustainability, ecological resilience and cultural continuity. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a multi-phase and multi-scalar methodology combining a literature review of 250 selected sources on historical water systems, fieldwork documenting the physical and cultural characteristics of the Kirkçesme system, spatial analysis, synthesis studies examining the identity of the study area, development of a design framework and formulation of a multi-stakeholder conservation strategy. Findings Analyses conducted in the Kemerburgaz and Göktürk areas revealed strong interactions between hydrology, land use and urban pressures, alongside flood risks and ecosystem degradation. In response, a 1:10,000 strategic master plan and a 1:1,000 urban design proposal were developed to strengthen ecological connectivity, green infrastructure continuity and the visibility of water heritage. The findings demonstrate that historic water infrastructures can function as ecological and cultural landscape systems supporting urban resilience. Research limitations/implications The chosen methodology may limit generalisability. Further testing in different contexts is recommended to validate the findings. Practical implications The proposed model informs sustainable urban planning by aligning historical water infrastructure with climate-adaptive, nature-based design. It serves as a guide for planners and local authorities. Social implications The study raises awareness of cultural water heritage and promotes inclusive, environmentally responsible planning. It supports equitable access to green-blue spaces and community identity. Originality/value The study reinterprets water heritage as an active component of ecological infrastructure and urban resilience rather than solely an object of architectural conservation. Through a multi-scalar framework, the research links heritage conservation with urban design and climate-adaptive planning strategies. Future research may expand this framework through comparative studies in other historic metropolitan contexts.