Adaptation of sustainable architectural practices in traditional buildings to modern housing: The case of Diyarbakır

Traditional houses are structures built by considering climate, topography, and local materials from the design stage to the construction and usage process. With these features, it is seen that traditional buildings meet sustainability criteria. However, with population growth and technological advancements, passive climate control and sustainable design strategies in traditional buildings have gradually been replaced by energy-dependent mechanical systems. The widespread use of mechanical climate control systems has led to an increase in environmental problems. In this context, the main subject of the study is the examination of sustainable practices in traditional architecture from past to present and the utilization of these practices in new building designs. In the study, climate-compatible traditional architectural structures were addressed within the framework of sustainability. Passive design strategies and sustainable practices used in traditional buildings were researched, and the effects of these practices on buildings were evaluated. The main aim of the study is to develop a model proposal in line with the sustainability criteria identified in Diyarbakır. The proposed model is intended to be applicable not only for Diyarbakır but also for regions with similar climatic characteristics. In the first stage, a literature review was conducted to address the concept of traditional architecture and sustainability. Then, sustainable practices used in traditional buildings were analyzed. After the analyses, the Sur district of Diyarbakır was selected as the study area. In this region, both traditional buildings and modern two-story house examples were examined and comparatively evaluated. It was observed that the practices identified in traditional buildings in the Sur district were largely aimed at cooling. In modern two-story houses, it was found that these traditional solutions were not sufficiently considered, and instead, mechanical climate control systems were emphasized. As a result of the comparison of traditional and modern houses, it was revealed that traditional sustainable practices should be adapted to modern buildings by being adjusted to today's living standards. In the study, a model proposal design was developed in line with sustainability principles as a result of the comparative analysis of traditional houses and modern two-story houses. This proposal contributes to the preservation of local architectural heritage and is a design that centers on sustainability principles in contemporary housing.