A study on ecological properties of building materials used in traditional buildings (in Turkey)

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research the ecological properties of building materials used in some traditional buildings in Turkey and discuss the environmental benefits thereof.Design/methodology/approachBuilding materials used in some traditional buildings are investigated by a field study in the selected area. In this investigation, after the usage aims of the building materials are explained, the ecological properties and environmental benefits are discussed.FindingsAccording to the results of the study, it is found that these materials being obtained from totally natural, local and renewable resources have source‐efficient and energy‐efficient features. They have significant ecological characteristics since they are easily recyclable and re‐usable, utilize agricultural wastes and do not produce any wastes.Research limitations/implicationsIn almost every part of Turkey, there exist a large number of traditional buildings with ecological properties which were built at various times in history. However, it is impossible to give examples from each one of them in this study. Therefore, this study is designed to cover the buildings located at the rural area of province Kirklareli, Thrace zone. In further studies, it is possible to compare them with building samples from other region of Turkey and the World.Originality/valueThis study researches the ecological properties of building materials used in some traditional buildings. It is considered that these data would provide guidance for the building designs of today. In the rural areas where population increase rates are not so high, it is possible to use such materials for the buildings. A widespread use of these materials will prevent the environmental problems that arise out of buildings from getting higher in Turkey and in the world.

Sustainability of Traditional Buildings Located in Rural Area

“…Traditional buildings in Turkey inherit the values of various civilizations that have lived on these territories for centuries. Environmental factors have played an important role in design of these buildings, which rendered them more harmonized with the environment [2]. Turkish houses have features which unite them with antiseismic construction elsewhere.…”

“…Turkish houses have features which unite them with antiseismic construction elsewhere. In almost every part of Turkey, there exist a large proportion of traditional buildings with ecological properties, energy and natural resources save-low environmental impact, which were built at various times in history [2]. Sustainability is a new concept with various perspectives in communities.…”

Systemic thinking from a scientific and spiritual perspective

“…This participant, as well as the others, was stunned by the enormous amount of harmful waste, which our current civilization produces and emits into the environment (Esin and Yüksek, 2008). Sachs' (2005) call for finding different ways to grow food also appealed to this participant.…”

“…Sachs' ( 2006) warnings, the participant underscored the need for humanity to make changes in the way we live in order to repair our ecosystem, whereby technology must play a major role as a change factor. This participant, as well as the others, was stunned by the enormous amount of harmful waste, which our current civilization produces and emits into the environment (Esin and Yüksek, 2008). Sachs' ( 2005) call for finding different ways to grow food also appealed to this participant.…”

Sustainability in facilities management: an overview of current research

“…The property type varies. This research suggests that building materials should be local, renewable resources and that the extraction of the materials should be source-efficient (Esin et al , 2008). This research also shows that the lifetime of the materials used significantly impacts the LCA and maintains that the goal should be long building lifespans (Shi and Yu, 2009).…”