Dikmen Valley

Dikmen Valley is a district located along Ankara’s main arterial roads, transformed under an urban regeneration project from a former informal settlement into a modern recreational and living space.^【1】

^{Dikmen Vadisi} (ANFA)

Dikmen Valley is situated very close to the center of Ankara within the boundaries of the Çankaya district. The official address of the valley is recorded as Şair Baki Caddesi, Yukarı Ayrancı Mahallesi.

Accessible by public transportation, the valley is open to visitors daily from 06:00 to 00:00. The first and second phases of the project cover a total area of 378,000 square meters.^【2】

The total project area of the valley reaches 700,000 square meters. Landscape design has been carried out using approximately 50 different plant species. The total green space covers 260,000 square meters and includes 120,000 deciduous and coniferous trees.

Water elements play a significant role in the valley’s landscape design, featuring a total pond area of 34,000 square meters and a lake area of 31,000 square meters. Additionally, the valley contains two small waterfalls and one large waterfall. Eighty-seven thousand five hundred square meters of the valley’s ground surface have been designed as hard landscaping.^【3】

Dikmen Valley functions as a living space through its diverse range of social facilities. Within the area, nine cafes and restaurants, fifteen kiosks, tea gardens, a Yörük Tent, and an Anatolian Table provide various gastronomic options. For cultural and social activities, the valley includes shopping centers, a youth center, a women’s lounge, a conference hall, and two mosques. Additionally, two administrative buildings and a comprehensive 24-hour lighting system ensure continuous activity throughout the day and night.

^{Dikmen Vadisi} (ANFA)

The area includes various fitness zones, downhill and uphill walking trails, and running paths. Special play areas, amusement parks for children, and a miniature train line have been installed. The valley’s design incorporates accessibility features in accordance with the principle of barrier-free living environments.^【4】

Dikmen Valley is not only a recreational area but also an educational and residential zone. Within its boundaries, a school for individuals with intellectual disabilities operates actively. The valley, designated by the Ministry of National Education as an out-of-school learning environment, is used for academic purposes such as nature observation, ecology lessons, and art activities. In terms of urban settlement, residential projects surrounding the valley, including structures such as Teras Evler and İkiz Kuleler, have endowed the area with the character of a modern residential neighborhood.^【5】