Analysis of the Conservation Development Plans for Protecting the Traditional Urban Fabric in Bitlis

OpenAlex Türkçe

Bitlis is located on the ancient trade routes linking East and West, serving as a trade and accommodation center in the past.Different civilizations contributed to development throughout history, therefore Bitlis bears the cultural and architectural traces of different periods.The natural thresholds that have affected the formation of Bitlis' urban fabric also constitute the most important factor that shape the planning.The city has undergone a linear development through the valley and transportation axis due to the natural thresholds.The traditional fabric consists of many houses serving as examples of civil architecture as well as mosques, madrasas, inns and Turkish baths.The buildings with flat roofs, seen frequently in historical fabric, indicates a structure specific to the region.This study analyzes the role of conservation development plans in the protection of traditional urban fabric using Bitlis province as an example.Although a conservation development plan was approved in 1998, the traditional fabric that primarily consists of examples of civil architecture could not be protected.The reasons for the failure to protect the traditional fabric can be categorized under three titles: Administration reluctance to implement the plans, economic insufficiencies and title holders' unawareness of conservation.