Vedat Dalokay

Vedat Dalokay (10 November 1927 – 21 March 1991) was a Turkish architect and a former mayor of Ankara. He was known for designing important buildings and helping shape the city. His designs were used in many places, making him well-respected in architecture and public service.

Early life and education

Vedat Dalokay was born in Elazığ in 1927. He grew up in an Alevi Kurdish family that moved from Pertek. Dalokay finished school in Elazığ before moving to Istanbul for college. He studied architecture at the Istanbul Technical University and graduated in 1949. After that, he worked for the Ministry of Works and the Post and Telecommunications Department. In 1950, he went to Paris to study city planning at the Sorbonne University in France, but he did not finish.

Career

Vedat Dalokay became the mayor of Ankara in the 1973 Turkish local elections for the Republican People's Party. As mayor, he asked the Soviet Union to help create public transportation and affordable housing in Ankara. In 1977, Dalokay and other mayors from his party spoke about social municipalism. He stayed mayor until the 1977 Turkish local elections, when Ali Dinçer took over.

Awards and work

Vedat Dalokay won many awards for his work in Turkey and around the world. In 1981, he worked on a big project for the Islamic Development Bank in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He designed the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, but his first design was not used. Later, a changed version of his design became the basis for the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. In Pakistan, he also worked on other buildings, like the Summit Minar in Lahore, and had a big effect on Pakistani architecture.

Death

Vedat Dalokay and his wife Ayçe Dalokay died in a traffic accident near Kırıkkale on 21 March 1991. Their son Barış Dalokay was also hurt in the accident and passed away a few days later.