The concept of cultural landscape from UNESCO perspective and analysis of Türkiye's world heritage sites

The cultural landscape, which has survived to the present day by bearing witness to the history of humanity, is of great importance to future generations, and should be protected through international cooperation. UNESCO World Heritage Committee has accepted the cultural landscape as a category of world heritage in 1992. UNESCO has provided a fresh perspective from which to view these heritage sites. The world heritage cultural landscapes are the most significant examples of human interaction with nature. Cultural landscapes, as a dynamic concept, are subjected to a higher level of human interaction. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness of cultural landscapes in order to ensure more precise protection. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the general characteristics of the cultural landscapes recognized as world heritage by UNESCO in 1992 and to determine which of Turkey's world heritage sites can be re-evaluated as cultural landscapes. In order to accomplish this, the historical treatment of the concept of cultural landscape and the definitions developed for the concept within the scope of studies conducted by various disciplines were examined. Cultural landscapes in the World Heritage List were evaluated based on the cultural landscape's criteria determined within the scope of this thesis. In determining the criteria, the UNESCO documents, regulations and reports on cultural landscapes were used as a guide; inferences were made to make cultural landscapes more distinguishable, and suggestions for criteria were developed. In the context of the identified characteristics, Türkiye's world heritage sites were evaluated and suggestions were made regarding which ones could be considered within the context of cultural landscape.