Analysis and evaluation of traditional house architecture in contemporary cities: Traditional houses of Çorum

Traditional residential architectures that reflect a society's local culture, socio-economic structure, construction techniques, and materials contribute to the unique character and identity of the regions they are found in. However, due to the advancements in technology, these locally informed housing structures have entered a phase of disappearance as they fail to meet people's desires and expectations. Moreover, the ever-expanding urban areas have presented challenges for traditional housing, leading to a gradual decline in their numbers, as they become less visible amidst densely built surroundings. Therefore, preserving cultural heritage that establishes significant connections between a city's past and future, providing identity to urban spaces and a sense of belonging to communities, falls under humanity's responsibility. The first crucial step in conservation efforts is to create inventories and identify the present uses of these culturally significant heritage sites that cannot be easily renewed. Subsequently, conservation efforts should focus on reviving their use by analyzing their location, culture, and needs. By integrating these structures into the urban fabric and incorporating them into the daily lives of communities, they can be sustainably preserved for the future. The aim of this thesis is to create inventories of Çorum's Traditional Residences, analyze their current condition and usage, and propose new functional suggestions to integrate these residences into urban life. Through a combination of literature review and field studies, traditional housing patterns in Çorum's city center were observed, examined, and analyzed. The findings indicated that many of the traditional houses in Çorum suffer from neglect and inappropriate use, leading to the degradation of the traditional urban fabric. To preserve the identity of cities and ensure their continuity into the future, this thesis work proposes suitable reuse options for Çorum's traditional residences, considering the city's needs, expectations, and cultural heritage.