Sustainable development in historic areas: Adaptive re-use challenges in traditional houses in Sanliurfa, Turkey

The adaptive re-use of buildings is an approach for developing historical areas, and it extends the life of historical patterns. However, adaptive re-use is applied to development projects in different ways including compatible re-use and most appropriate re-use, both of which contribute to the sustainability of historic areas. The present study discusses the challenges associated with the compatible re-use and most appropriate re-use approaches for commercial and community development. In the case of commercial development, re-use is generally initiated by private entrepreneurship and is typically a new activity intended to generate income to sufficiently cover restoration and maintenance costs. Examples include the re-using as restaurants and hotels. Community re-use, which is mostly initiated by governmental involvement or development trusts, does not generate sufficient income to cover restoration and maintenance costs, but it does provide social benefits to the community. The present study demonstrates that design criteria can emphasise the significance of cultural heritage through adaptive-reuse. The research methodology used is tested through six selected case studies analysing sustainable development activities involving the traditional houses of Sanliurfa in Turkey. The aim of analysing the changes and their effects on the traditional houses of Sanliurfa and their historical environment is to highlight the challenges and approaches to re-use in terms of development involving historical patterns and conservation areas to provide guidelines for future projects.

► Two types of approaches in re-use are identified in historical asset for designing future adaptive re-uses.
► In compatible re-use, the requirements of new use can cause a detrimental effect on historical significance.
► The traditional house takes on extra burdens related to the re-use of the architectural system.
► Most appropriate re-use reinforce the retention of historical significance for promoting sustainability of built environment.
► A long-term management is provided.