The need and proposal of creating a cultural route for the protection of cultural heritage in Harran and its environment

In the thesis, it is aimed to ensure the sustainability of cultural values and to plan the routes by carrying out studies to protect them. Studies on the planning and management of the concept of cultural route were carried out through the sample study area. The emphasis of both the sustainability and the universal importance of the cultural heritage sites constitutes the aim of the thesis topic within the scope of cultural route planning. Within the scope of the thesis, there are researches and suggestions about the cultural route formation process. The thesis study consists of 7 chapters. In the first part, there is information about the subject, objectives and method of the study. In the second part, the studies in the field of literature and research are examined. In the third section, information about the conceptual, planning and management processes of the cultural route is given. A proposal has been developed for the classification of the Cultural Route. The information contained in data tables related to cultural routes in the world and Turkey were prepared. In the fourth section, there is information about cultural heritage data of the study area. In the fifth section, a multidisciplinary questionnaire application was carried out and awareness of the concept of heritage and route and cultural data of the study area were determined. In the sixth section, in the field study with all concrete and intangible heritage components that constitute the conceptual content of culture, evaluations were made in a socio-cultural and socio-economic context. Within the scope of cultural route planning, dynamic and special characters have been determined for the studies carried out specific to the area, the fiction of the place has been created and the planning proposal has been developed. In the seventh part, there is information about the studies done within the scope of the thesis and suggestions for the application related to the area where the route is planned. Studies in the discussion section comparisons have been made. A cultural route planning based on routes, covering natural, architectural and historical heritage was carried out for the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage for the city of Harran in the fertile crescent land. In this context, as an alternative to holistic route planning, the study was concluded with the Neolithic period, Ancient period, Islamic period, Sin Faith and Natural Heritage route constructions and suggestions. Key Words: Cultural Heritage, Cultural Route, Harran, Fertile Crescent