Publications
Integration of Geographic Information system (GIS) analysis into street renewal criteria: the case study of Diyarbakır Gazi Street
A context-sensitive conservation approach for historical streets, balancing architectural authenticity with contemporary urban needs, is demonstrated through the renewal of Diyarbakır Gazi Street. This study identifies analytical criteria for street rehabilitation that prioritize pedestrian-oriented spatial arrangements while preserving social, cultural, and economic dynamics—key to sustaining living heritage in UNESCO-listed sites like Diyarbakır's Sur district. Methodologically, the research integrates GIS-based spatial assessments with archival analysis and literature reviews, revealing how adaptive design can harmonize historical identity with modern urban functionality.
Audit Design: Know-how to Monitor Community Knowledge Transfer in World Heritage Management Systems
A semi-automated method called Audit Design has been developed to quantify and audit knowledge transfer from local communities to management plans in World Heritage Sites (WHS). This approach, validated using Knowledge Representation and Natural Language Processing techniques, assesses five levels of knowledge transfer and generates precise natural language representations. Applied to the Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape WHS, it offers a reliable tool for monitoring inclusiveness and ensuring community ideas are effectively integrated into management plans. The method addresses a gap in the literature by providing a systematic way to evaluate the effectiveness of participative engagement initiatives in WHS management.
Muğla Karabağlar Yaylası’nın Kadim Üretim ve Peyzaj Değerlerinin Dünya Kültürel Peyzaj Alanları Çerçevesinde Değerlendirilmesi
Muğla Karabağlar Yaylası demonstrates significant potential for inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List as a cultural landscape, owing to its unique micro-climatic conditions, rich biodiversity, including endemic species and agricultural diversity, and distinctive rural architectural typology. The study evaluates the plateau's eligibility using qualitative comparative analysis, comparing it with two established UNESCO sites: Honghe Hani Rice Terraces and Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens. Findings suggest that its sensitive ecosystem, cultural identity, and production values align closely with UNESCO criteria for cultural landscapes, positioning it as a strong candidate for future recognition.
Patrimonio per la Pace in un Mondo Pieno di Conflitti
UNESCO World Heritage Site inscriptions can both foster peace and inadvertently exacerbate conflicts, as demonstrated by the contrasting experiences of Ani and Diyarbakır Fortress. While Ani's 2016 inscription was celebrated for its potential to promote global harmony, the same process highlighted tensions surrounding Diyarbakır Fortress, where Kurdish heritage preservation clashes with Turkish military interventions. Activist groups accused UNESCO of indifference, underscoring the complex interplay between cultural heritage, human rights, and social relations in conflict-ridden regions. The study analyzes these dynamics through a case analysis of the 40th Committee session, revealing how inscription processes can trigger or mitigate conflicts, offering insights into the broader implications for heritage management in divided societies.
The Effect of a Cultural Landscape Area on Urban Green Spaces: Case Study of Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens
A significant increase in urban green space, from 18.22 to 37.75 square meters per capita, was observed in Diyarbakır's Sur District due to the integration of cultural landscapes like the Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens. This study quantifies how heritage areas, intertwined with culture, nature, and historical architecture, enhance both green space availability and parking capacity (16.64 square meters per person). The research employed field observations, development plans, land records, and digital mapping to analyze the impact of these landscapes on urban functionality. It recommends stricter buffer zone regulations with sustainable, long-term planning that balances traditional and modern elements while maintaining ecological equilibrium.
Découvrir les jardins de l’Hevsel
Hevsel Gardens, part of the Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape, has undergone a significant rediscovery during its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription process. This transformation has led to a re-evaluation of its historical and cultural value by experts, artists, urban planners, and local inhabitants. The research highlights key events and works that have shaped the Gardens into a recognized heritage site, emphasizing its unique significance in the region's history.
Prélèvements et premières caractérisations des mortiers des maçonneries de l’enceinte fortifiée de la vieille cité de Diyarbakır
Initial mineralogical analysis of mortar samples from Diyarbakır Fortress reveals distinct compositional variations linked to different construction phases. Using X-ray diffraction, researchers identified key mineral components, providing insights into the fortress's historical masonry techniques. The study, part of the AMIDA project, collected 11 mortar samples from the ramparts' various sections, with one sample (M1) from Tower 15 undergoing detailed microscopic examination. While further analyses are pending, this preliminary work lays groundwork for understanding material degradation and conservation strategies for this UNESCO-listed site.
Divergences de projets sur un site candidat au patrimoine mondial : un consensus introuvable dans les jardins ?
A consensus on sustainable development for Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate site, remains elusive despite its unique cultural landscape. This study outlines an integrated approach to preserve the tangible and intangible values of the site, which includes monumental city walls and agricultural land along the Tigris River. The research emphasizes the need for strategies that balance cultural, social, financial, and administrative aspects to mitigate adverse effects from development. By addressing divergences in project proposals, the study aims to provide a framework for long-term sustainability, ensuring the preservation of this significant heritage landscape.
The Making of Modern Turkey: Nation and State in Eastern Anatolia 1913–1950, by Üğur Ümit Üngör
Scholarship on the Armenian massacres of 1915 in Diyarbakır, a largely Kurdish region, reveals a complex and often overlooked narrative. While atrocities occurred, the term 'genocide' is rarely applied by experts due to the context of military emergency, including an Armenian uprising, and the lack of systematic extermination efforts. The study, originally a Dutch M.A. thesis on Diyarbakır, expands to examine the shifting dynamics of Kurdish tribes and the cultural transformations of the 1930s, such as the renaming of place-names from Armenian and Kurdish to Turkish. It highlights the grim fate of Armenians, Syriac Christians (Jacobite), and Chaldeans (Nestorian), including mass imprisonments, executions, and forced marches, with survivors facing epidemics and starvation in Syrian camps. The research approach combines historical analysis with first-hand accounts, providing a nuanced understanding of the region's turbulent history.
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