Comparative evaluation on transformation and socio-cultural sustainability of vernacular settlements: Mustafapasa-Sinasos (Cappadocia) and Sassi (Matera)

Factors such as technological developments, globalization, migration, wars and rapid urbanization cause the destruction of cultural values. Vernacular settlements affected by this change also change depending on newly developing lifestyles and structural interventions. Vernacular settlements are important in terms of transferring the cultural identities and lifestyles of local communities to future generations. At the same time, vernacular settlements are important social cohesion spaces that allow the ties between communities to be strengthened. The concept of sustainability, which has gained importance in the field of architecture, has been addressed primarily by considering the environmental and physical characteristics of architectural structures and built environments. However, later on, with the inclusion of socio-cultural sustainability in the context, the concept of sustainability began to be evaluated over four main components. In this study, the transformation of the selected vernacular settlements is discussed through the concept of socio-cultural sustainability. For this, a conceptual framework was created under the headings of 'vernacular settlements', 'socio-cultural sustainability' and 'conservation' and criteria were determined to evaluate the relationship between the transformation of vernacular settlements and socio-cultural sustainability. Within the scope of the research, two vernacular locations selected in order to discuss the conceptual framework and to test the determined evaluation criteria; Mustafapaşa-Sinasos from the Cappadocia region and Sassi from the Matera region. In the selection of these settlements, the similarities of their geographical and physical contexts, as well as the socio-cultural ruptures experienced in both settlements in the 20th century, played a role. On the other hand, different effects of socio-cultural differences on vernacular settlements and cultural landscape were observed in similar geographical and physical contexts with this study. Both regions have been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, emphasizing the authenticity of their vernacular heritage. In parallel with this, transformation processes related to tourism continue in both regions. With this study, in the light of the comparative evaluations made on Mustafapaşa-Sinasos (Cappadocia) and Sassi (Matera), the importance of providing socio-cultural sustainability in vernacular settlements has been emphasized while the historical environment is inevitably transformed in many parts of the world today. With this thesis, it is aimed to contribute to the studies in this field.