The conservation and re-usage of historical water structures: The case of Gaziantep kastel structures


Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Turkey

Approval Date: 2023

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: Selen KAYA

Principal Supervisor (For Co-Supervisor Theses): Özlem Sağıroğlu Demirci

Co-Supervisor: Can Güngör

Abstract:

Since the ancient times, human beings have developed many methods and structures in order to transport, distribute, store and use water, which is the source of life. Along with the advancements in technology, most of these methods and structures have lost their functions today and damaged for various reasons. The aim of this study is to identify the conservational problems of the historical water structures and to develop strategies to preserve them in this direction. For this purpose, the thesis examines the historical water structures with an extensive literature review and classifies the structures according to their first functions. It has been observed that these structures with cultural heritage values do not receive enough attention while the method of re-functioning and adaptive re-use are the most frequent methods regarding the conservation of these structures. Several examples of adaptive re-use implementations in Turkey and abroad were investigated and compared. As a result, the problems occured in the practices in our country were identified. Among these, Kastel structures which are unique to Gaziantep and which have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, were chosen as the sample structure in the context of their heritage value. In the consequence of the analyses, the study reveals that the Kastel structures that were given a new function are in a detached state from the urban fabric they are in and do not have a correct existing function, resulting them to deteriorate also as a result of faulty repairs. Consequently, the thesis proposes a conservation approach with a holistic manner, using the cultural route method and re-functioning of the historical water structures in a way that can integrate them to the existing urban fabric and social life. By this means, the objective of the study is to preserve the kastel structures and the historical water infrastructure of Gaziantep in good order without further deterioration, for the future generations.

Key Words : Historical water structures, conservation, adaptive reuse, kastel, Gaziantep