Preservation of the historical environment in the process of constructing resilient cities: The case of Hatay, Antakya

The concept of resilience is a multi-dimensional idea that means the ability of ecological, social, and physical systems to adapt to external shocks, sudden changes, and risks (Folke, 2006), It is especially important for areas under risk, such as cities facing urbanization, climate change, and natural disasters. However, in the literature, resilience is not often studied in relation to historical environments. There is a lack of approaches that focus on protecting the past while also preparing these areas to be physically and administratively strong against disasters (Jigyasu, 2002). Protecting historical environments is not only a cultural responsibility but also important for keeping the identity and memory of cities. Therefore, conservation plans should aim not only to protect the existing values but also to make these areas more resistant to future dangers like earthquakes, floods, and fires (UNESCO, 2011). Turkey has many valuable cultural heritage areas, but they are under threat because of weak legal systems, poor coordination in protection and management processes, and frequent natural disasters (Yıldırım, 2012). For this reason, resilience in historical areas should not only mean strengthening buildings. It should also include spatial planning, public awareness, good governance, and risk management (Roders, 2011). The main goal of this study is to develop a resilience approach that helps historical areas survive in the future. This way, these areas will not only be protected but also continue to function after disasters.