A Study on Gathering the Opinions of Architecture Students to Enhance User Interaction with Historical Urban Fabric: A Case Study of Tepebağ District in Adana Province

Abstract

The historical urban fabric is an important part of our cultural heritage, and historical districts are valuable assets that reflect the identity and character of a city. However, over time, what kind of changes, unplanned urbanization, and other factors reduced the authenticity and user interaction of these historical districts. The urban historical fabric, which can be considered as cultural heritage, has the chance to sustain its continuity under the responsibility of various professions, especially the discipline of architecture. Based on this reality, it is inconceivable for an architecture student, who is educated to learn, comprehend, and preserve the historical fabric, to remain indifferent to the cultural heritage of a city. In this context, a study was conducted to gather the opinions of architecture students with the aim of increasing their interaction with the historical urban fabric. The objective was to use the views of responsible architecture students as data in collaboration with stakeholders to improve and enhance the interaction with the historical urban fabric. The study measured the demographic information and awareness of architecture students at Çukurova University regarding the field through a questionnaire. The reasons and frequency of users’ experiences in the area were analysed. Within the scope of the study, participants were presented with sample images from cultural, economic, social, educational, and public open/semi-open space categories within the historical fabric. Using a 5-point Likert scale, the study aimed to determine the preferred value and rationale of these spaces if they were located in Tepebağ. The results of the survey aimed to increase the interaction of architecture students, aged 18-26 (+), with the significant historical fabric of Tepebağ District in Adana Province. The study aimed to gather their opinions and recommendations regarding the historical fabric and to contribute to initiatives that increase the interaction of young individuals with the historical fabric by sharing the collected data with relevant institutions.