A research of the housing architecture in the historical town center of Urla and the evolution that occured during the republican period within the conservation context: Zafer Street Case

Urla is located at the center of Urla Peninsula which it lends its name on the same place in Aegean Region. As being one of the country boroughs of İzmir, the city is surrounded by İzmir Gulf at north, Çeşme at west, Seferihiser and bowels of Sığacık Gulf at south and Güzelbahçe at east. According to the archeological heritages found in Liman Tepe at İskele district, the history log of the city streams to Prehistoric Period. The ancient site of the Ionian city of Klazomenai is the last city founded among other twelve Ionian cities. Today, archeological excavations are still carried at the district, and the studies shed valuable insight into the history of the city. From the XV. Century, Urla gained an important position in merchant marine by courtes of advantages elicited by the port. Eventhough there is not much in number, there can be seen structures with different spatial qualities around by the port and its surrounding. By passing into the hands of the Ottoman Empire, the settlement at the center of Urla developed for defense purposes. Until the Exchange Period at XIX. Century, the Muslims lived with different ethnic groups in the city. With the foundation of Republic, the city receives the status of Turkish settlement. The city center of Urla creates interests with its architectural artifacts of Ottoman Period; specifically with its housing of XIX. Century. The housing typology is examined under five topics. To create a typology, the artifacts are classified according to plan specemes by taking into consideration the floor numbers (onestorey, two-storey), the position of the usage axes inside the houses (centered hol, side hol) usages of the floors (e.g. ground floor as for commercial). In the grouping of the historical texture there are: one-storey, centered hol houses; two-storey, centered hol houses; two-storey, centered hol houses having comercial function; twostorey side hol houses; two-storey, side hol houses having commercial function. The details of the structure and facade are anaylized in detail within these housing types. At the historical center, Zafer Street is selected as the focalcase area with its historic potentials and as well its location in the district. The changes Zafer Street has had during the Republican Period are anaylized within urban scale. The fourteen historic houses on the street are analyzed for their original architecturel specifications. Since the Republican Period, in urban and structurel contexts, there have been diversifications from their cultural heritages. The changes, at houses can be observed in their spatial orientation, structure and material, and facade organization. With the metamorphosis, there are several problems can be noted according to the contemporary life conditions both in urban and structural scales. These problems causes Zafer Street and residences lose their historical features. With a detailed set of analyses, this study is developed a list of recommendations to preserve Zafer Street and its housing to agree the modern life. Keywords: Urla, Historical Town Center, Zafer Street, Housing, Typology, Change, Conservation