Analysis and preservation proposals for civil architecture samples of Balıkesir Aygören, Dumlupınar, Karaoğlan districts

Balıkesir had been ruled by several civilizations throughout the history. City gained its first administrative structure with the establishment of Karesi's in early 14th century. The capital was the city center of today's Balıkesir. City had spent long time under the rule of Ottomans and in the late Ottoman era it reached prefecture status. The non-muslim population increase due to migration waves in other Ottoman cities was also felt in Balıkesir starting from the 17th century. They inhabited especially in today's Dumlupinar, Karaoglan and Aygoren districts. Increasing Armenian inhabitants start to build their own church, schools in the neighbourhood. The non-muslim population in Balıkesir did not affected from the population exchange in 1908 due to good relationships with community. Besides, the non-muslim population increased after 1908. Many building in Balıkesir suffered from the 1898 earthquake. Following the earthquake there was a considerable reconstruction movement in the early 20th century. Most of the buildings from early 20th century were demolished due to reasons such as lack of protection and municipal policy problems. The still standing buildings from that era are located mostly in Dumlupinar, Karaoglan and Aygoren districts. Current thesis aims to identify relevant buildings, document them and try to offer solutions for conservation problems.