Reuse of historical buildings and sustainability: The case of Hamamönü

Historical regions form the identity of cities and these regions contain traces of the past. For this reason, the preservation of historical regions and the active functioning of the buildings today serve to preserve the identity of that city. These regions should not be left idle, but should be reintroduced to the city by assuming a function that meets modern needs. The originality of the structure should not be compromised in the Restoration and Reconstruction works, and all of the attributed functions should be recyclable. Their preservation and effective use is a social and historical responsibility since these buildings are architecturally important and bear traces of the past. One of the first advantages of reusing historical buildings is that they save energy and resources. Restoring an existing structure rather than building a new structure can reduce the environmental pressure caused by material production. This phenomenon is further strengthened by using sustainable construction materials and increasing energy efficiency. In addition, the restoration and use of historical buildings and regions also provides an important factor in city planning. These areas are often located in the core of cities, and revitalizing them may have a positive impact on city life. Historical buildings reused can contribute to the local economy and encourage cultural tourism. However, there are also difficulties associated with the reconstruction of historical buildings. The restoration process can be costly and requires planning, management and relevant units to work in harmony for sustainability over a long period of time. Additionally, some technical problems may be encountered in the structure to comply with modern standards. At this point, the reinstatement and sustainability of historical buildings offers many advantages such as protecting cultural heritage, energy saving and urban planning. However, this process requires a homogeneous approach, expertise and public participation. The Hamamönü region examined in this thesis is an important region that embodies the historical structure of Ankara and hosts architectural works especially from the Ottoman period. The region has a special importance in terms of restructuring historical buildings, ensuring their sustainability, protecting cultural heritage and developing city life. Restoring and putting into service the historical buildings in Hamamönü may reflect the cultural richness of the region and turn it into a tourist attraction center. This contributes to the local economy while at the same time preserving the historical and traditional cycle. At the same time, the sustainable use of historical buildings in Hamamönü can also have positive results in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impression. Using innovative sustainable materials and adapting energy-saving solutions in the restoration stages can make this process difficult and messy, with some technical difficulties and costly restoration processes. Additionally, efforts to adapt to modern comfort norms must be balanced with the preservation of the historical fabric. As a result, the reuse and sustainability of historical buildings in Hamamönü is achieved by establishing a balance in cultural, economic and environmental aspects. This process must be managed successfully with the cooperation of local government, experts and society. In this study, examples from national and international architectural structures are given in the process of reuse of historical buildings. The examples given were evaluated according to certain parameters in the context of "examination of reconstruction and sustainable restoration works". In addition, the conservation efforts carried out from past to present in Hamamönü, which constitutes a part of Ankara's social and cultural heritage, are presented in terms of how the physical and social change affected the economic and tourism development as a result of the studies by comparing the initial state of the Hamamönü region and its state after restoration. Hamamönü's success in this sense can be used as a guide on how other similar applications can be carried out. This thesis, addresses an important issue regarding the reuse and sustainability of historical buildings and emphasizes the successes and teachings emerging from the Hamamönü example. The thesis provides an important reference for future restoration projects and urban conservation plans.