Tarsus historic city center, identification of problem and potentials as base for strategic guideline

Abstract

Tarsus historic city center is a continuous settlement from the Neolithic Age to the present day. Archaeological heritage is integrated with traditional historic quarters, historic city center, Early Republican buildings and industrial heritage. Social practices, cultural production processes, legends and religious events transferred from generation to generation constitute the intangible cultural heritage elements and also the symbols of the city. In 2013, conservation area boundaries were revised and Tarsus historic city center, was declared as 3rd Grade Archaeological Site by the Regional Conservation Council. In defined context, the Conservation-Strategy Guideline was prepared with the contract signed between Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and Mersin University, Faculty of Architecture in 2022. Within the scope of document, a guideline containing urban conservation strategies for the historic city center of Tarsus has been prepared. Within the scope of this article, findings and evaluations regarding current situation based on field surveys and questionnaires that form the basis for the guideline are presented. The study aims to document the physical and socio-cultural situation of the historic center in 2022 to guide further studies concerning cultural heritage in Tarsus.