A research about adaptive reuse of cisterns in historic cities: Case of Safranbolu

Due to industrialization and economic development, the urban population is increasing day by day. Accordingly, with the growth of cities, the need for infrastructure, transportation, housing, industry and energy is increasing. In rapidly growing cities, the demand for water, which is vital for life, and the amount of water consumed increase in parallel with the population. With increasing consumption, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Globally, approximately 69% of water resources are used for agricultural purposes. This amount is followed by the industrial sector (energy, commercial and industrial sectors) with 19% and residential use with 12% (United Nations, 2014). Given the circumstances, the management of water use and the protection of water resources in buildings and residences, which have a large share in water consumption on a global scale, are very important in terms of providing a sustainable environment. In this study, it has been tried to find solutions to problems such as rapid depletion of water resources and increasing water demand because of the rapid population growth, global warming, climate change and unconscious water use in historical cities such as Safranbolu, whose architectural texture is under protection. In this context, it is aimed to increase water efficiency in buildings by adaptive reuse of the cisterns in the region. In this direction, firstly, a literature review was conducted. As a result of the literature review, it was concluded that climate change and global warming caused an increase in water demand with population growth, and in this case, it negatively affected the existence and quality of water resources. In this context, it has been determined that strategies such as the use of water-saving equipment and wastewater recycling can be applied in order to ensure water efficiency in buildings.In particular, it was concluded that the adaptive reuse of water structures, which are architectural values that are already in the historical cities can be an important potential in ensuring water efficiency. It has been determined that there are various water storage elements such as water wells, fountains, rain tanks, snow wells and cisterns in the historical city of Safranbolu, which is considered within the scope of this study. Among the water structures in Safranbolu, the cisterns are discussed in this study because of their large capacity, their large number, the fact that most of them are usable and their location. In this direction, it is planned to carry out field work in Safranbolu Historical City. Fieldwork was carried out in two stages and 11 cisterns in the city were reached. The detected cisterns were examined and documented. Then, daily, monthly and annual water consumption data of 12 mansions and 13 residences in the study area were determined by the applied survey study. In addition, as a result of the survey application, analyzes were made about the spatial use of water and the use of water-saving equipment in these places. As a result of the field work, it has been seen that the water consumed in the 25 buildings, the wastewater generated as a result of the rainwater harvesting from these buildings and the surface runoff water expected to be in the region can be easily stored and treated in the cisterns in the region.In addition, it is predicted that there are other cisterns that have not been identified in the region, and that with these cisterns to be discovered, more living areas can be evaluated and more water can be treated.