A typological study on the facade orientation of the traditional houses in the historical settlement of Kastamonu

Our cultural heritage, which inevitably has been facing the danger of extinction as a result of the urbanization policies implemented after 1950, has document value by epitomizing the life styles of the periods witnessed. The low income level of the owners of the traditional houses which had been evacuated during the improvement process of Kastamonu urban site area, the attractiveness of the income earned from busy trade activities and the problems related to the enforcement of the protection decisions have accelerated the process of aging and the beginning of extinction for the historical houses. In this context, this study is intended to convey the information included in the inventory forms which have been developed by identifying the façade characteristics of the traditional houses in Kastamonu urban site area to the next generations. First, some information is provided about the history of Kastamonu. Then, the characteristics enabling the façade organization of the traditional houses in the urban site area are described focusing on the entrance and bow window. Finally, the façade distinctions of the houses are clarified and the suggestions to solve the protection problems faced in the area are discussed.In this study, a typological research on the Kastamonu houses? entrance doors, which are the intersection points of the entrance façades and the streets restricting the Kastamonu houses, is provided. The study also addresses the elements of the street - the very function of which is to provide an area of entrance into the houses ? on the façade where its relationship with the house begins. The types of the elements that speak volumes about Kastamonu are identified.The study method included the reading on the literature on the historical texture and the traditional house texture of Kastamonu province. Under the light of the previous studies conducted about the subject, field works were made and façade typologies were prepared. The current situations of the houses and the changes made on them have been reflected on the maps. District level suggestions towards the protection and the repair of the houses have been pointed out.