A Research on the Preparation of the İlyasbey-Yarhisar Village Design Statement

Abstract

Documentation, preservation, and sustainability of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements of rural architecture, efficient use of existing resources, prevention of resource waste, continuation of local-regional life, strengthening of national resources, integration of traditional building systems with contemporary ones, and preservation of traditional architectural heritage are crucial aspects in the field of architecture. Design statements for villages, as addressed in England, can be seen as an important tool for documenting, preserving, and sustaining rural areas. This study is based on the idea that guidelines, identified in various rural areas and incorporated into the Zoning Law in Turkey in 2013, can play an effective role in documenting, preserving, and sustaining rural areas. In the first stage of the study, research was conducted on the preparation methods and processes of village design statements. In this context, village design statements prepared in various regions were examined and evaluated using the descriptive analysis method. Common values were then determined, and the research titles, content, methods, and sources addressed in the village design statements were revealed. The research showed that village design statements consist of two main parts: documentation and recommendations. To apply the obtained data, İlyasbey-Yarhisar Village, which is one of the rural areas in Turkey with cultural heritage value that needs to be preserved, was selected for this study. The research for preparing the İlyasbey-Yarhisar Village design statement was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, documentation studies were conducted, and the historical, cultural, geographical, and economic data and rural settlement and architectural characteristics of the village were determined through literature review and field research. In the second stage, SWOT analysis was used to evaluate the identified values and develop strategies. To implement the village design statement, strategies, and recommendations, it is recommended to hold meetings with relevant public institutions and local people, and then to detail the study.