A Heritage Management Model Proposal For An Integrated Conservation Of Cultural Heritage: Case Of Ordu Historical City Center

Abstract

Historic cities formed over a long period, become unique blends of different cultures and are invaluable as open-air museums. They represent their societies and their urban/architectural spaces, which are indispensable areas of social memory, worth preserving. However, especially urban pressures cause irreversible destruction in historic cities ruining the unique cultural and historical identity. In this sense, urban and architectural conservation practices are critical for more effective conservation and sustainability of the historic city. Some steps in urban and architectural conservation surely have been taken in Türkiye so far, but the concept of an effective management plan as an outcome of the contemporary conservation approach, has not yet been introduced to overcome the implementation problems in the traditional residential areas sustainably. Consequently, it is observed that the original historic architectural and urban qualities are fading away every day, through the destruction of these areas. These problems are believed to be due to the lack of an integrated heritage management system parallel to a legal framework including planning, urban and architectural conservation, as well as all stakeholders of this issue. In this context, Taşbaşı Quarter of Ordu Historic City Center is chosen as the case, in search of a solution to this widespread problem in Türkiye, to propose a heritage management system and maintain a digital database that will provide an integrated heritage management model between urban planning, urban and architectural conservation. This model and the digital database are expected to set an adaptable framework and model for similar cases in Türkiye.