Kent-Koop, formally the Batıkent Housing Production and Construction Cooperatives Union, is a cooperative union established in Ankara to carry out the Batıkent Project. It was founded on 17 October 1979 by 13 founding members, following an initiative led by Ankara Municipality and involving unions, tradespeople’s organisations and professional chambers.2
The Batıkent Project was conceived as a way for people seeking housing—particularly lower- and middle-income households—to organise through cooperatives and participate in addressing their housing needs. Kent-Koop’s approach combines cooperative-led development with cooperation between civil organisations and public authorities, especially local government.2 Its stated remit extends beyond building homes: it frames cooperative activity as encompassing social and economic dimensions of urban life, with democratic participation by members as a core feature.2
Kent-Koop’s work has included housing and collective workplace projects. Its institutional history lists residential projects in Batıkent, Yenibatı, Bağlum, Balıkuyumcu, Çamlıdere, Dikilitaş and Çağa, as well as workplace developments in Batıkent and Yenikent.2 The same page reports that 122 housing cooperatives completed and delivered 29,443 homes, while 19 workplace cooperatives delivered 765 units; it also describes construction continuing in Balıkuyumcu and Bağlum.2
The organisation’s activities have extended beyond Ankara.