Problems regarding the protection of traditional urban pattern: The case of Bartin, Turkey

Abstract

Historical texture of the settlement is one of the important factors in the past and present of the culture. Important components of this historical pattern are historical places of the city and the traditional patterns which create this structure. To save this historical pattern should be the first aim of the governments in order to carry them to the future generations. Turkey has signed many international agreements about conservation of historical pattern. But, legal alignments related to this issue do not completely cover “the conservation principle”, so the institutions, which are responsible for saving this pattern, are in danger of becoming destroyed due to this type of management. The most striking example of such understanding seems to be Bartin. This paper presents an argument about the protection of historical places in Turkey, on the local scale. The town and cities which have historical patterns have continued to lose their urban landscapes as urbanisation has been increasing in Turkey. This paper illustrates the result of traditional texture and historical pattern of the Bartin Province facing problems such as losing them due to expanding urbanisation in Bartin, which has 3000 years-old historical structure, as one’s model. In recent years, urbanisation has been highly expanding in Bartin; urban identity has started losing its originality, because of carelessly built constructions and recreation lands. This event demonstrates the critical role of policy implementation and socio-cultural factors on sustainability of historical patterns in urban landscapes of Bartin. This should include the community, local governments, and the whole range of non-governmental organizations including the private sector. Keywords: Historical urban site, conservation, 2863 numbered law, Bartin, Turkey.