Problems of protection of water structures in the historical urban centers İzmir Kemeralti example

Kemeraltı is the historical city center of Izmir which is positioned in the northwest side of Kadifekale. Throughout the history, the area where different ethnic groups lived together has a rich architectural heritage with traditional residences, trade structures as well as water structures.Functional differences of water structures caused to the establishment of three structure types as fountain, sebil and sadirvan by affecting architectural formation. Fountains are built to meet the drinking and cleaning requirements; sebils are built to give out sherbet and water for the purpose of charity; and sadirvans are built to receive ritual ablution.40 units of fountains, 6 units of sebils and 8 units of sadirvans, which can be reached today from the Kemeralti urban protected area, are determined with written sources and area operations in the study. Historical and architectural characteristics of structures, which all are documented with map, building survey and photos, are researched and suggestions have been developed by determining protection issues. In this context, one fountain?s, one sebil?s and two sadirvan?s building survey, restitution and restoration proposals have been developed.The water structures, which have significance traces relating to the aquaculture of past centuries in the historical city center, are also valuable with architectural features. Making the structures usable by repairing will make contribution on protecting the continuity of these values. It is clear that the water structures in Kemeralti, which are the representatives of water culture today, need to be transferred to the future with their authentic architectural characteristics.Key words: Kemeralti, water structures, fountain, sebil, sadirvan