"Water" Footprints in the Ottoman

Abstract

Environmental problems, which increase with dramatic accelerations, deepen their effects with global crises such as epidemics and wars, and on the other hand, they become difficult or even impossible to get out of with new problems. In particular, the decrease in basic life resources has required humanity to be purged of a comfortable but irresponsible life model once again. The foremost of these sources, water requires a separate attention and effort as it is indispensable. Because water is not only a vital need, but also a primary factor that shapes many important issues such as the settlements, lives, cultures and relations of societies. When this interaction, which has continued since the existence of human beings, is evaluated in terms of environmental history, the Ottoman Empire has been one of the civilizations that come to the fore with its success from its deep-rooted past. The Ottoman's approach and sensitivity to water constituted the basis for it to be referred to as "water civilization" and therefore to be chosen as the subject of the study. In this study, the footprints of the "water" in terms of the environmental history of the Ottoman Empire were followed; It is aimed to reveal approaches related to water supply, waste water, savings, protection and security of resources, floods, measures taken and the use of water from industry to energy. In addition, it is aimed that the approaches that can shed light on the present, being a role model for today's modern (!) societies, being a source of inspiration and contributing to environmental awareness are important outputs.