Historical cultural landscape areas of Şanlıurfa andconservation recommendations

Historical cultural landscape areas reached a significant turning point with the official definition of the cultural landscape concept in the 1990s. This study examines the evolution of the cultural landscape concept from its developmental process prior to its inclusion in conservation literature, to its subsequent incorporation into the international conservation agenda. Particularly, the growing interest in the protection of cultural landscape areas since the mid-20th century is analyzed within the framework of declarations, regulations, and recommendations published by international organizations. In this context, the development of the cultural landscape concept is evaluated in detail. From the proclamation of the Republic to the present, the approaches to the protection of historical cultural landscape areas have been analyzed in conjunction with their reflection on Şanlıurfa's historical cultural-urban landscape areas. These areas have been influenced by the political situations both in Turkey and globally, technological advancements, and the evolution of the cultural landscape concept, with degradation beginning to occur after the 1950s. The historical urban fabric, which developed within a walled area from the establishment of the city until the 1940s, delineates the boundaries of the cultural-urban landscape areas addressed in this study. Historically bounded by city walls, this urban fabric largely preserved its limits until the early years of the Republic. The study identifies four main regions within these boundaries (Balıklıgöl and its surroundings, Haleplibahçe and its surroundings, Saray Meydanı and its surroundings, and Belediye Parkı and its surroundings) as areas that have undergone the most significant changes and transformations, conducting analyses based on these focal points. These areas were selected considering their position within Şanlıurfa's historical cultural-urban landscape, the pressures of change they face, and their unique values. Throughout the research process, various aerial photographs from different years obtained from the General Directorate of Mapping were utilized to analyze the usage dynamics and spatial changes of these regions over time. These analyses were conducted to understand the change processes of landscape areas and contribute to the development of protection strategies. This analysis provided important data regarding the usage dynamics of the areas, and based on these findings, various recommendations were developed with a sustainability perspective for the examined regions. In parallel with the analysis of aerial photographs, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, conducted with experts, and field trips with long-standing local residents using guided tour techniques offered detailed information about the factors influencing the transformation and change processes of these historical cultural landscape areas. These methods facilitated the development of a dual perspective. In the conclusion of the study, threats to the preservation of cultural landscape values in Şanlıurfa's historical city center are identified, and various conservation strategies are proposed to counter these threats. These recommendations provide significant contributions to the sustainability of Şanlıurfa's historical cultural landscape areas.