Development and change of Babaeski in the historical process and urban conservation proposal

The aim of this study is to examine the historical value of Babaeski by analyzing the city's development and transformation throughout its history, and to ensure the preservation of the historic settlement through proposed urban conservation strategies. The study details the physical development of the central area of Babaeski by integrating written and visual evidence, which will contribute to a better understanding of the current state of the city and serve as a resource for strategies aimed at protecting cultural heritage. Within the historical process, the structure of Babaeski—including its streets, alleys, neighborhood system, and registered historic buildings—is intended to be conveyed through the analysis of its urban morphology. Initially, the historical development of the city is analyzed, focusing on its periodical transformations. The study covers Babaeski from the Ancient Roman Period, Byzantine Period, Ottoman Period, to the Republican Period up to the present day, highlighting changes and developments in the city's location, transportation routes, and settlement characteristics. Subsequently, monumental and civil architectural examples located in Babaeski are documented, and their positions and relationships within the urban fabric are analyzed. Qualitative data collection methods have been employed throughout the research process; literature review, archival documents, historical maps, photographic analyses, and field observations constitute the primary data sources. The study is structured around four main phases. In the first phase, fundamental problems encountered in the field of urban conservation specific to Babaeski are identified, and deficiencies in the literature and planning inadequacies are evaluated. The second phase involves a periodical analysis of the historical development of the urban fabric. The third phase consists of multidimensional analyses conducted within the city center during fieldwork, including assessments of occupancy and vacancy, building usage status, number of floors, structural integrity, preservation levels, and architectural silhouettes. In the final phase, comprehensive urban conservation proposals at environmental and structural scales are developed based on the acquired data. The findings reveal that a large portion of the registered buildings in Babaeski's historic center have undergone physical deterioration, remain vulnerable to unplanned interventions, and that the awareness of preservation is insufficiently developed. Furthermore, social, economic, and administrative factors have been found to negatively impact urban conservation efforts. Accordingly, the study proposes comprehensive recommendations at environmental and structural scales aimed at preserving Babaeski's historic fabric and improving the quality of urban life. At the environmental scale, strategies such as the regulation of alternative transportation corridors, the adoption of pedestrian-prioritized planning approaches, the encouragement of public participation, and the preparation of conservation-oriented zoning plans are emphasized. At the structural scale, the focus is on the preservation of registered buildings along different silhouette zones, particularly along the Edirne-Istanbul Highway, façade restorations, and enhancing the physical durability of the buildings. Based on these recommendations, a comprehensive action plan incorporating urban revitalization strategies classified by intervention type and timeline has been developed. This plan is organized according to short-, medium-, and long-term objectives, aiming to protect and spatially improve the historic fabric through physical interventions, while social interventions focus on increasing local community participation, raising awareness of cultural heritage, and revitalizing the collective memory of the city. Thus, the action plan provides both a practical framework for implementation and supports a sustainable urban conservation approach.