A Case Study on Kemaliye/Erzincan

Home , Erzincan, Giancarlo De Carlo, Karasu (Euphrates), Kemaliye

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • 43-56 A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan

Emre TORBAOĞLU1, Yüksel DEMİR2 1 [email protected] • Atölye Kolektif, İstanbul, Turkey 2 [email protected] • Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, İstanbul, Turkey

Received: October 2014 • Final Acceptance: January 2016

Abstract One of the most important reasons of settlements looking like each other, despite the differences of their geographies and cultures, is the cultural disengage- ment due to the uniformity of socio-cultural stratification. This simultaneously creates negative impacts on many original settlements. Consequently; today, we need design approaches, aiming to provide solutions for the disconnection of people and spaces to help continue the architectural and urban characteristics of original settlements while they are in a process of development. This study han- dles such approaches in line with the “critical regionalism” concept of Frampton. A theoretical basis is formed over Giancarlo De Carlo and his architectural approach in Urbino can be assessed within the framework of critical regionalism. Over this theoretical basis, Kemaliye, chosen as the study location, is evaluated in terms of continuity, in light of data based on field practices. Keywords Kemaliye, Cultural continuity, Local data, Vernacular architecture, Critical doi: 10.5505/itujfa.2016.14633 10.5505/itujfa.2016.14633 doi: regionalism. 44

1. A critical view of current cult, containing nostalgic elements, architecture practices within the but as a source of feeding for the on- context of cultural continuity going life (Berman, 1994). In line with Today’s conditions, continuously these ideas, we can say that it is criti- forcing us to face a contradictory pro- cal to understand the local essence and cess, which aims to connect on a single the pieces that form the entirety before entirety while preserving or rebuilding any design interventions on original cultural variety; has caused certain ap- settlements. Therefore; approaches, proaches in architecture, working in in which cultural and social forms of opposite directions. Some of these ap- previous centuries are re-explored and proaches focus on regional identities, contexts are taken into account, must attempting to establish a unity with be prioritized. Modern approaches, them, and aiming to let them keep up using tradition as a source of logic and with the new era; while others aim to information, advocating that traditions impose their presence, ignoring such must be continued not formally but in- identities. The first of these two ap- tellectually, must be adopted. proaches provide “cultural continu- However, if we look at the design ity” and contribute in people’s living interventions at such settlements with- their lives as individuals in harmony in the framework of current architec- with their environments. The other ture practices; we can mention two fre- approach ignores cultural variety, en- quently seen trends. These trends can vironment and social connections and be defined as nostalgic approaches, ad- creates an effect which alienates people vocating the inviolableness of the “old” to their own environment. Defined as by only preserving local characteristics “current architecture practices” in the or attempting to create the “new” by study, this attitude ignores different emulating the “old”, or as destructive contexts and the basic characteristics approaches totally ignoring the values of cultural areas, and drives many orig- that form the regional identity. It is inal settlements to a process of discon- obvious that in both situations, there nection. are attitudes that do not attempt to es- Settlements, which have been able tablish a relationship with the local es- to preserve their originality, are accept- sence. In the first approach, the “old” ed as archives, containing all abstract is frozen in time or recreated with a and solid traces of the history of hu- superficial point of view, and “original manity and nature. Having a local land- settlements” are turned into decorative scape with natural and cultural values, cities. This will cause a misperception and preserving their regional identi- in society and cause a blur in the differ- ties, such settlements are defined by ence between the past and today. In the Scazzosi as centuries-old palimpsest: second approach; the “old” is outcast These are parchments where traces of or even destroyed to let standardized every era come one after another, inter- environments take over original settle- twine with those to be left for future, ment patterns. within a constant change (Scazzosi, According to Levi-Strauss, if it 2004). Change of societies is inevitable is attempted to recreate old forms, it in time and traces of such changes can would be inevitable for new forms to often be seen in the physical and so- gradually become monotonous and ul- cial environment. Understanding these timately, reach solutions that are ulti- traces is important for reshaping the mately weakened. On the contrary, he essence of humans within the current states that we should know humanity change processes for keeping up with is rich enough in terms of options to the era. Therefore, such traces should surprise everybody and that progress be considered as documents guiding is not achieved by this extremely easy new practices, enabling cultural con- “adjusted similarity” image, which we tinuity, and forming the urban mem- lazily approach, but as a product of ory. Berman states that understanding a process full of adventures, discon- traditions is important for feeding and nections and scandals (Levi-Strauss, enriching our own modernity. There- 1959). This opinion expresses that it is fore, culture should not be seen as a a futile effort to recreate completed and

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 45 forgone times, and we should be open tion (topography, light, climate) and for new trials. its socio-cultural position, instead of So, how should such new trials be? considering regional styles. In essence, How can a compromising relation be it considers people as part of the natu- established between current architec- ral and cultural environment they live ture practices, which ignore and out- in. It prefers the awareness about the cast the “old”, and original settlement tectonic reality of architecture instead patterns? At this point, Frampton’s of understanding the artificial environ- concept of “critical regionalism” may ment only based on image with a su- give us alternative points of view aim- perficial approach. It suggests creating ing to produce a modern architecture a modern structure in harmony with based on context, in parallel with uni- the location, without taking formative versal processes. and technologic references. It aims to contribute to the development pro- 2. A strategy of resistance against cesses of settlements by making small standardization in architecture: interventions, instead of large-scale ur- Critical regionalism ban interventions. Critical regionalism concept is an attitude opposing the recreation of 3. Approaches based on traditional forms and the formalist field practices in original attitude of regionalism. This concept settlements: Design approach suggests using an exploring construc- of Giancarlo De Carlo tion language in modern architecture, Rethinking on “Giancarlo De Car- revealing and respecting the local es- lo Architecture”, which we can study sence instead of a simple copying-im- under the concept of “critical region- itating approach. At the same time, alism”, may give hints on creating a it tries to establish a system of new new product by being connected to regional values by clashing universal the “local essence”. De Carlo adopted values with regional values. Frampton an approach which evaluates natural considers critical regionalism as a strat- and socio-cultural data, attempting egy of resistance against the uniformity to establish a relation with previous caused by modernism and against the architectural languages by taking his- historical approaches in architecture. torical processes into account. Based He propounds this concept as a camp on the necessity to create a connection against the standardization caused by between society and modernism, he current architecture practices in pre- worked with an approach, taking hu- serving and reviving local cultures in man experience and human percep- architecture. Within the framework tion as basis. Indispensible principles of critical regionalism, he advocates a of a design process that is based on stance against the dominant forms of continuity are deep analysis of location current conditions, while on the other and participating values. hand, accepts the liberating effect of The design method developed by modernism (Frampton, 1985). De Carlo based on field practice states Critical regionalism is based on the necessity of performing theoretical the “place sensitivity”, which can be and practical studies together in design strongly perceived, defined by experi- interventions on original settlements. ence and based on its own context. In The projects he materialized in Urbi- 1980s, Tzonis & Lefaivre (1981) and no are successful examples connecting Frampton (1985) defined critical re- with the local context, converting and gionalism as an approach which can- using traditional architectural princi- not be described as internationalism ples forming the regional identity, and but which can not be connected to the thus, contributing to cultural continu- folkloric or historical concepts of the ity. At Urbino, where De Carlo worked region, either. for approximately half a century; he Critical regional architecture con- gathered the municipality, the uni- tributes to the improvement of cultural versity, independent researchers and interactions by focusing on the rela- residents on a common platform, de- tionship of the building with the loca- termined the requirements of the set-

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 46

Figure 1. Aerial view of Urbino identifying four of De Carlo’s conversions (1) Faculty of Economics, (2) Magistero, (3) Ramp and stables, (4) Faculty of Law (Source: Jones, P.B. & Canniffe, E., 2007). Figure 2, 3, 4. Analytical sketches of De Carlo (McKean, 2004). tlement in line with their opinions and revived by tourism. He studied sensi- developed his suggestions. tively on both the urban and rural en- Urbino is an ancient settlement , vironment, and had a special relation- dated to 6th century BC, at the Marche ship with the residents and the history region in eastern Italy. The history of of the city. Starting as he undertook the city dates back to the Etruscan pe- the zoning plan of the city in 1958, riod, which took place before the Ro- this relationship turned to a series of man period. Pattern of the city, which simultaneous interventions. Such in- reaches today, usually belongs to the terventions range from constructing a medieval age. There were additions university settlement outside the city to the city in the renaissance period. walls, rehabilitation of some structures Among these, the Ducal Palace built at the historical settlement, faculty by Francesco di Giorgio for Duke Fed- building designs, rearrangement of the erico da Montefeltro is very import- greatest urban location (Mercatale) ant. McKean, putting forward Urbino’s of Urbino, to designs of academician difference from other historical Italian houses and the Institute of Art (McK- cities, emphasizes that history and na- ean, 2004). As well as tourism, the im- ture is intertwined here and that it is provement of the university was also hard to distinguish new human inter- selected as a way to revive the settle- ventions within the original pattern of ment. However; this also meant that the city (McKean, 2004). the population would be multiplied De Carlo started his zoning plan and De Carlo developed a dual strategy studies in a period when the settlement to overcome this problem. He settled physically began to deteriorate and lo- faculty buildings within the historical cal economy was being attempted to be city center, and positioned dormitories

Figure 5, 6. Site plan sketches of Collegio della Colle (NAI, 2005).

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 47

Figure 7, 8. Perspectives of dormitories (NAI, 2005). at the hillsides outside the historical instrument of principles for De Carlo city center, where he defined as a new to explore and develop region reading settlement area. techniques. To understand a region, Jones describes the design approach its forms and places, it is necessary of Giancarlo de Carlo as such: to understand their reflections on the “De Carlo is playing a long game at current social and physical situation. Urbino, often with a light touch and De Carlo tells that, to work in such a with no great compulsion to over-im- cultural landscape, first of all, history pose his personal signature. Oblivious must be considered as a flowing wa- to the calls of fashion, De Carlo builds ter, rather than just the past (McKean, with a view to centuries past, and looks 2004). He describes his principles to to the future: the work is for Urbino’s Zucchi as follows: citizens yet to come. It is hard to think “I believe a lot in the revelatory ca- of another contemporary architect pacity of ‘reading’…If one is able to who has contributed so much to one interpret the meaning of what has re- place. Without his intervention the mained engraved, not only does one whole development of the town and come to understand when this mark its university would have taken a dif- was made and what motivation behind ferent and almost certainly more de- it was, but one also becomes conscious structive turn. Ordinary old buildings of how the various events that have left in the centre would probably have been their mark have become layered, how destroyed. With his struggle to under- they relate to one another and how, stand the relationship between build- through time, they have set off other ings and human institutions, his con- events and have woven together our cern with shared memory, his careful history” (Zucchi, 1992). painstaking ‘reading of the territory’, De Carlo has demonstrated a method 4. Why Kemaliye? that seems to me the precise opposite Kemaliye (Eğin) can be an example of ‘The Bilbao Effect’, for instead of im- of original settlements in Turkey, with posing from without, it discovers from its unquestionable natural and cultur- within.” (Jones, 2002). al values. Located northwest edge of De Carlo emphasizes the necessity of the Eastern Anatolian Region and the reinterpreting the past to solve the cur- southwest of Erzincan province; Ke- rent requirements of a settlement. He maliye is a riverside settlement locat- suggests starting with the deep reading ed at Karasu Valley, west of Munzur of the land in this interpretation pro- Mountains. Kemaliye has always been cess. In this process, which he defines one of the social and trade centers of its as a genetic code analysis, he research- region from the past to the present. Lo- es how buildings are positioned ac- cated on the Silk Road, the settlement cording to the sun, light, wind, water, was ruled by the Sassanid, Persians, streets, pathways and green texture. Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans be- He describes it as a repeating process, fore the Republic of Turkey. In today’s including experimental arrangement circumstances, the population move- and transformation. Urbino became an ment to metropolitan centers has also

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 48

Figure 9. Aerial view of Kemaliye (Atölye Kolektif Archive). Figure 10. Settlement pattern identified with nature (Atölye Kolektif Archive). Figure 11. Tree-Leaf diagram (URL-1). affected Kemaliye. Population of the formed by Kemaliye Research Group settlement, which was around 30,000 between 2002 and 2004, and by Atölye together with the surrounding villag- Kolektif between 2007 and 2014. These es near the end the 19th century, has studies, which started as a student ini- decreased in years due to migrations tiative, were planned as an architec- and population exchanges. Past crafts’ ture education model based on field and production methods’ losing their practices to complete the theoretical importance today, has shifted the re- knowledge gathered at school. With gion’s economy to nature and culture the workshop studies carried out after tourism. the summer field researches, sugges- Designing his projects from the data tions of solution were developed to he gathers in his field researches, par- maintain the original texture of the set- ticularly anthropology studies, Dutch tlement. These recommendations were architect Aldo Van Eyck describes the shared with Kemaliye public on var- housing project named Noah’s Ark on ious platforms (forums, exhibitions), Team 10’s Royaumont meeting in 1962 aiming to use the studies for the benefit with his “tree-leaf” diagram as above. of the settlement. Said studies form the We can say that the complex remain data source of the master’s degree lation between house and city estab- thesis of the author, written in 2010, lished by Van Eyck is also valid for Ke- titled “A Research On The Continuity maliye. Kemaliye is an entirety, whose of the Original Settlements: Kemaliye values cannot be considered separately Sample”. from one another; no house, tree, per- The main goal of these researches son can be considered individually. The were to analyze the factors that form nature-space-human relationship has the regional identity of Kemaliye with created a specific settlement pattern various points of view, detect the prob- here. The regional identity, which has lems related to the current status and developed on the basis of a piece-en- develop solution suggestions for these tirety relation, is the product of a ratio- problems with the contribution of the nal idea based on centuries ago. residents. In these studies, carried out The basic components, forming the on the basis of mutual interaction, it regional identity value of Kemaliye, are was also aimed to reinforce the aware- the natural structure and established ness of the residents for the environ- cultural values of the settlement. An ment they lived in. For these purpose, original settlement with its urban space under the study, a collective produc- character, which developed on the ba- tion with an architectural, social and sis of these factors, Kemaliye stands on cultural content was performed with a different point among Anatolian set- the participation of students and ex- tlements with such characteristics. ecutives from various disciplines. The analyses performed were associated 4.1 Research methodology with each other and a feedback meth- In this study; all analysis and eval- od was developed, so, it was attempted uations on Kemaliye settlement tex- to understand the deep connection be- ture are based on the field studies per- tween the architecture and socio-cul-

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 49

Figure 12, 13, 14. Sketches describing the settlement texture, 2002 (Kemaliye Research Group Archive). tural structure. Data from the social ment for analyzing the cultural ele- events performed in this context, and ments that formed the urban location from the verbal history study, were and architecture layout, by influencing overlapped with architectural analyses the architectural researches. The crafts, to discuss the relations between the which formed the basis of the commer- past and the present. cial structure in the past, and which are Architectural researches were car- about to be lost today, and the effects of ried out within the framework of a pro- these crafts on traditional architecture gram where theoretical and practical are again discussed under the verbal studies were performed together. An- history study. Social studies included alytic sketches, visual recording tech- film and documentary shows, slide niques, literature scanning and verbal shows; art, handicraft, music, sports history methods were used for docu- and drama workshops for children; menting and analyzing the settlement. and sculpture studies. These studies Regional architecture basin was con- aimed to increase the awareness of par- sidered in different scales as the set- ticularly the young population for their tlement, street, house and details, and environment. the factors that form the settlement texture were examined. The relation- 4.2 Urban space and architectural ship between the urban location layout character analysis of Kemaliye and house-street analyses were made effects of natural elements and the effects of topography, water Positioned on a 30-45% slope land, and cultural structure on the regional the trends of gradual topography usage architecture were researched. Chang- and shifting towards Karasu Valley are es over time on the houses and streets, the main factors in Kemaliye, helping which were examined in the 1990 the- form the urban character and architec- sis of Alper, titled “A Research on Ke- tural layout. At the settlement, which is maliye Houses and Settlement Texture positioned over three main sets; green / Kemaliye Evleri ve Yerleşim Dokusu areas stand out on the first set near the Üzerine Bir Araştırma”, were reviewed river. These sections consist of vine- and an inventory study was performed, yards and gardens, and a low-density covering comparative evaluations. As housing can be mentioned. Within a result of the architecture analyses, vineyard areas, there are cottages, lo- an erosion of values was seen all over cally named as “hinzan”. the settlement. The factors causing this Kemaliye has many water sources problem were discussed with the resi- and settlement units are concentrat- dents and alternative urban, architec- ed around these water sources. Par- ture and social suggestions were devel- ticularly, the second set, covering the oped for the future of the settlement. Kadıgölü water source, which can be Differences between the past and defined as the vital point of the settle- present of Kemaliye, and changing ment, has the characteristics of a set- lifestyles are handled with the verbal tlement center with its land structure history study performed. The verbal suitable for settlement. Spreading the history study has become an instru- water of Kadıgölü with canal systems

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 50

Figure 15, 16. Houses set on rocks as an extension of the topography (Atölye Kolektif Archive). to the entire settlement has created the character. Another street type, which dense green pattern, one of the main defines the urban character is the “tor- elements of the local landscape. With ta”. Created as the houses cross over the the canal systems, water can be taken streets, “torta”s also act as passages. to the gardens, yards, sinks and coolers Although it is essential to use lo- in houses. These water canals, which cal materials for creating the regional can be used both functionally and as architectural languages in Anatolian a visual natural landscape device also settlements, there is a significant dis- provide natural air-conditioning. tinction between the regional archi- At the settlement third set, Taşdibi tecture and the natural environment in Site, where the settlement ends, con- Kemaliye. The main components of the struction opportunities are limited due architectural language, displaying the to suddenly elevating land conditions. characteristics of a superior workman- Although there are no structures to- ship based on fine materials, are wood, day on this area, it was found by verbal stone and cob. Kemaliye houses are historical researches that, in the past, built with “hımış” construction tech- there were settlements of terrace hous- nique and built with wooden beams, es in this district. mud joints, rubbles up to the main Traditional houses are full of solu- floor; and with cob filled wooden car- tions, using topographic data with a ra- cass at the main floor and roof. tional approach. Due to the land struc- Development of wooden architecture, all floors of the houses can be ture in the region despite rough condi- associated with the outside, except for tions, and its turning into a widespread roof floors. So, different indoor layouts construction system practiced at the can be created, based on functional whole settlement, has caused to distin- and social requirements. Some houses guish Kemaliye from its surrounding are based on hard and steep rocks and settlements. In this natural environ- built over them. On this regional archi- ment, consisting of cliffs and orchards, tecture, which is in ultimate harmony there are no forest areas that can pro- with nature, some settlement units are vide the wood, which can be used as located as an extension of the topogra- construction material. Nearest forests phy. to Kemaliye are in Refahiye, north of In this settlement, shaped according the settlement, and there are no direct to land conditions, characteristic street connections between these two settle- formations draw attention. Develop- ments. According to the information ing perpendicularly to the slope, the gathered from the verbal history study, streets use a system formed of wide, in- the logs supplied from Refahiye for- clined stone steps. A bevelling system ests were brought here over Kemah, is developed as a way to reduce sharp through the Euphrates River. In this turns on the streets, which are narrow method, called “apart”, logs were tied at certain points. These special details, to each other and sent over Euphrates which sometimes use overlap systems, to Gümrükçü District. Raw logs were contribute to the creation of the street processed at carpenter shops by the

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 51 riverside and turned into construction traces prove that even one nail in these materials. houses can have a meaning, that each Wood and stone, used as structur- of the 250-300 year-old houses have al elements in the general design ap- a story, and that wise eyes can read proach based on principles of func- these stories. This houses are immor- tionality and strength, were also used tal works, which tell what happened as fine coating materials. Wood is once upon a time inside to the people commonly used both as wall or floor of today, making them immortal, way coating. Width of wall coatings usually above just meeting the need for accom- range from 25 cm to 40 cm. This range modation. is a socio-economical indicator; high- The cultural interaction, begin- er the purchasing power of the house ning with Istanbul from the Ottoman owner, wider the coating. Service, times, and still continuing today, has walking, and roof areas of the hous- been effective in the development of es are coated with the flooring system the regional architecture. Material and called “rıhtım”, which is unique to Ke- immaterial acquisitions gathered in Is- maliye. Rıhtım is a finishing detail of tanbul by the Kemaliye people living the multi-layered, soil-based flooring there, returned to the settlement as system, formed by lining up small river an original architectural language. As rocks side by side. well as the use of wood, the definitive Among this regional architecture element of the architectural character, based on natural materials, metal sheet the delicacies in indoor details are the coatings draw attention as an industri- indicators of this effect. al material. Metal sheet coatings, be- The knobs, arranged separately ing first used in 1950s for protecting for the use of men and women, with a wooden walls and soil roofs, became low sound from one, and a high sound an important factor to preserve the re- from the other, were formed depend- gional identity until today. This meth- ing on the beliefs and traditions of the od, developed for preventing the nega- region. The reason for this distinction tive effects of time, can be assessed as is to have the visitors knock according a creative solution for protection, dis- to their genders to allow the household covered by the local public. With this prepare accordingly. This separation, new situation, radically affecting the beginning from the door, continues regional identity of the settlement, Ke- into the house. Men were hosted at the maliye became a place, which realized “selamlık” section, and women were its own evolution. So, without losing its hosted at the “haremlik” section. Near essence, it succeeded in maintaining its the “selamlık” room, a coffee stove is continuity by using the opportunities placed as a service unit. This section provided by the modern times. becomes independent from the other sections of the house with an inner 4.3. Reflections of cultural door. This way, it was possible to host background men and women in different floors, Kemaliye houses abstracts the tra- particularly in weddings and funerals. ditions and elements of daily life, and It is possible to see various reliefs add them into the structure. These ab- and inscriptions at the entrances or stract traces are details that enrich the corner stones of some houses. These modest nature of the houses. Figura- reliefs express the population and fer- tive door knobs and locks, wooden en- tility of the house with their sizes or gravings in fixed hardware, patterns at quantities. Another example for sym- “rıhtım” floors, inscriptions and stone bolic details are the nails pounded on embossments on walls, high windows, the threshold upon arrival of a bride. ironwork patterns are details that in- They express that the bride is a perma- clude these traces. This planning ap- nent member of the house. proach, displaying features in parallel All abovementioned definitive el- with the traditional Anatolian civilian ements of the urban constructs and architecture, are separated together architecture character can be reviewed with these details and created an orig- over the Efeoğlu House in detail to inal identity for the settlement. Such better understand the subject. Efeoğlu

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 52

Figure 17, 18, 19. Ground floor plan, east elevation, section, Efeoğlu House, 2009 (Atölye Kolektif Archive). House is one of the houses on Gençağa special with various protrusion and Street, which could mostly maintain its spacing arrangements. Increase of wall originality. In the architectural layout spaces on this direction and high win- of this 250 year-old house, topography dows are the indicators of this effect in and the trend to opt for scenery played the Efeoğlu House. Today, the roof is an effective role as the main determi- covered with hipped roof, as in most nants of the regional architecture. It is Kemaliye houses. possible to access from 3 different el- evations to the house, which is settled 5. Assessment of Kemaliye in the on the topography with different layers. context of continuity The main entrance of the house is Preserving its original character to at the yard section, called “hayat”. “Ha- a great extent until recently, Kemaliye yat” has a systematic layout of its own now faces developments that threaten and is also used at the outdoor space of its urban memory and regional identi- the house. These sections, covering the ty. In the first field studies performed boiler, fountain, cooling and seating in 2002-2003, it was seen that the functions play an important role in the settlement pattern greatly preserved layouts of houses. Consisting of living its original identity but at the same and service functions, these locations time, was exposed to some negative also act as social places for women. interventions. These findings were On this floor, where living quarters are discussed with local authorities and located, “divanhane (sofa-house)” and residents on a common platform to de- “baş oda (main room)” are given dom- velop solutions. However, since then, inant positions for scenery. “Selamlık no developments for solution has been room”, opening to the yard, and the achieved, and this caused more serious “bride room” downstairs are examples problems today. of the reflections of the social structure In parallel with today’s urbaniza- on architecture. Both locations can be tion processes, trying to solve the cur- accessed from outside without using rent requirements of the settlement indoor areas. These traditional houses with an attitude that does not consider make the walls facing Karasu Valley type zoning plans and local context is

Figure 20, 21. Board, stressing unplanned development (“Don’t let Green Eğin turn gray) 2002, TOKI Housing 2009 (Atölye Kolektif Archive).

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 53 the main factor to create the problem comparative assessment over Gençağa at hand. The new settlement process, Street. This assessment was performed beginning particularly after the mar- by overlapping the data in the doc- ket fire of 1987, today continues with torate thesis of Prof. Dr. Berrin Alper the practices of TOKI. As a result of from 1990, and the data gathered by the development decisions of TOKI; Atölye Kolektif, who worked in the which do not conform with the set- same street between 2002 and 2009. tlement pattern and adhere to general Gençağa Street is a characteristic planning and city-planning principles, street that connects the market center and which are unacceptable in terms to Karasu River over Gümrükçü Dis- of zoning laws, settlement cultures and trict, cutting the slope perpendicular- awareness of preservation; the settle- ly. In this street, activities of import- ment pattern is being destroyed rap- ant businesses such as forging, textile idly. If such applications continue, the and customs used to be gathered, and regional identity, defined as original, there were many blacksmiths, carpen- will disappear in near future and “the ter shops, textile cooperatives and re- green”, which used to dominate the lated textile-painting workshops and settlement, will surrender to the “the customs stores. Approximate length of gray”. the street is 145 m. and there is a 29 m. Another factor that triggers the sit- difference in elevation. The traditional uation is the problem of preserving the structures on the street usually have 4 traditional houses. Due to changing so- floors; bottom floor, ground floor, yard cial structures, lack of comfort condi- floor and terrace floor, and they pre- tions, migration, inheritance problems serve their original plan schemes. The and economical hardships, most hous- houses, whose originality are damaged es are empty and without maintenance. because of poor add-ons and sloppy Some of these houses, which could not repairs, still reflect the character of the stand against the impacts of time, are settlement when assessed as a whole. destroyed, and the rest will also be lost In all houses on this street, it is possi- if necessary precautions are not taken. ble to find the metal sheet wall coatings Interventions to meet current needs, and hipped roof practices, developed or keep the buildings standing, often to preserve the traditional houses all result in destructive impacts, far from over the settlement. modern preservation approaches. The Alper, in her study, found that problem of quality of the restoration Gençağa Street has fully preserved its practices, which were expected to solve original pattern character. However; this issue and which gradually increase we see that, by time, the street faced in recent years, unfortunately causes negative interventions. It is detected irreparable errors. Unconscious use of that the pressure of concrete buildings industrial construction materials, loss on the original street character increas- of traditional production techniques es gradually, and so, the “street scale” due to the popularity of such materials, is being lost, particularly in the areas and their not being transferred to next where dormitory buildings are located. generations are the main reasons of the Other than these irreparable destruc- problem. In most of the applications, tive interventions; it was understood historical traces are destroyed and the that the unqualified add-ons on tra- buildings are given a brand-new look. ditional houses deteriorate the mass- This reduces everyday the number and-wall ratios of houses and create of traditional houses, which preserve negative impacts on the street again, their originality, and creates a negative but with necessary precautions such ef- impact on the pattern integrity. Ignor- fects can be removed. Fully consisting ing the individual losses in traditional of stone steps due to rough topograph- structures causes a deterioration of the ic conditions, this street is covered with component-entirety relationship in the locked parquet stones to provide vehi- settlement, and consequently weakens cles traffic today. The canal systems, the regional identity by time. acting as natural landscape equipment; Change in the settlement within has been interrupted at certain points the last 25 years can be detailed by a due to low-quality repairs. However,

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 54

Figure 22. Gençağa Street layout plan, 1990 (Alper, 1990). Figure 23. Gençağa Street layout plan, 2009 (Atölye Kolektif Archive). Kemaliye houses can be a part of the potential locations for meeting the re- street, through the continuity of stone quirements of the settlement, and giv- and water used in yards and internal en functions again as “women’s hand- locations. The flow and transition from craft center” and “youth center”. With the street to the house in the settlement the suggestions developed based on layout were interrupted with these new “industrial archeology” concept, these practices and now, there are borders production buildings were considered between the houses and the street. as important elements of the urban Until 2004, there were single-storey, memory. hipped-roof carpet and painting ate- Next year in 2004, the ateliers were liers on the street, built with masonry demolished and dormitories were con- system. These ateliers were production structed, neglecting the street scale and sites of the Textile Cooperative, estab- pattern. Dormitories, a major require- lished in line with the carpet industry, ment of the settlement because of the developed in early-20th century. Re- increasing student population, were flecting the period they were built in, positioned on this street although there the ateliers were distinguished with were more suitable areas, and the ate- their architectural styles from tradi- liers, one of the indicators of the urban tional architecture, but at the same memory, are unfortunately destroyed. time, they were extremely in harmony These “new” buildings, which can be with the original settlement pattern. accepted as an image of Levi-Strauss’ In the field studies performed in 2002 “adjusted similarity”, are replicas that and 2003, said ateliers were used as are distant from the context, built by

Figure 24, 25. Textile and painting ateliers demolished in 2004 (Atölye Kolektif Archive).

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir 55

emulating “the old”. the way in new practices in the future. This rediscovery process must be for Figure 26,27: Boys’ and girls’ dormi- understanding the relation between tories (Atölye Kolektif Archive) people and site organization, taking into account the natural environment 6. Conclusion and socio-cultural bonds. If the solu- The product of a holistic structure tions in the original settlement pattern, of ideas, continuing for centuries, Ke- developed with a modest approach, maliye, is today in the middle of a cul- can be transformed in line with mod- tural breakdown process. The analyses ern principles and used as a source of performed under the study revealed information, said cultural breakdown that recent developments threaten the can be prevented. For example; prin- urban memory and regional identity of ciples of gradual usage of topography Figure 26, 27. Boys’ and girls’ dormitories (Atölye Kolektif Archive). the settlement. According to De Carlo, and opting for the scenery are dom- urban memory is a source to use for inant elements in the creation of the maintaining the continuity of settle- urban location and architecture layout. ments, as an element that carries our Methods for using these data in tradi- cultural and historical values and pro- tional architecture can create solutions vides urban awareness. It is essential to unique to the settlement when recon- protect the urban memory for under- sidered with today’s values. standing the present of a settlement, Although rediscovering the loca- detect its needs and plan its future. If tions mean discovering the thought we consider the problem over De Car- structure that created the original lo’s ideas and the Urbino model, we character for creating new designs; at will conclude that, in order to provide the same time, it means the assessing the continuity of original settlements, and converting the existing structures it is necessary to approach current in line with modern requirements. architecture practices with a point of If non-functional locations are given view that is based on centuries ago and functions again, unlike the demolished aimed at the future, without yielding to textile-painting ateliers mentioned in what is fashionable. To develop such an study, the urban memory would be understanding, new designs must be preserved. In this context, ways to turn approached with a point of view that traditional houses that are deserted is internally explored, not externally for the reason that they cannot meet imposed. In line with this idea, it can today’s needs (but which can adapt to inquire the recommendations of archi- changes faced for centuries), to loca- tects, societies and their habitats more tions that can be inhabited and used. extensively, trying to explore their life- These houses, built with great sensitiv- styles, thought systems and traditions, ity, are places that transcend time, still and make positive contributions in the remain in harmony with the environ- current breakdown process. To this ment, and are able to meet the require- end, architecture must be ethically and ments of users. The most urgent need culturally more responsible than ever for traditional houses is the rearrange- now. ment of kitchen and bathroom hard- In light of these opinions, some ware, and heating systems according to strategies can be suggested to contrib- modern conditions. For this, designing ute to preserving and maintaining the a modular system that can be applied original settlement pattern, while Ke- in all houses may be a practical solu- maliye is in a process of development. tion. These new hardware can be used • Rediscovering the Spaces indoors or as modern outdoor add-ons To allow Kemaliye become a settle- in yards. With these simple interven- ment that realizes its own evolution, tions, the houses will be revived. first of all, its values must be recon- The need for accommodation, a ma- sidered and deeply analyzed. Redis- jor problem in settlements, can be met covering the rational idea underlying by converting unused houses to hostels the regional architecture may show or dormitories. This way, a continuous

A research on the continuity of the original settlements: A case study on Kemaliye/Erzincan 56 usage can be achieved in summer and tlement pattern will be perceived to be winter to contribute both economically built by a single hand. and socio-culturally. Above strategies can prevent the • Establishment of the Regional Re- cultural breakdown process and help search Laboratory Kemaliye continue its existence as Kemaliye stands out as a settlement an original settlement equipped with with the potential of becoming the modern values. This way, Kemali- cultural center of Upper Euphrates ye would evolve its regional identity, Basin, when the region is considered which it brought from the past, and as a whole. Because of this, a multidis- carry it on to the future. ciplinary research laboratory must be established to understand and main- References tain the natural and cultural structure, Alper, B., 1990: “Kemaliye Yerleşme which forms the essence of the region- Dokusu ve Evleri Üzerine Bir Araştır- al identity, particularly the settlement ma (A Research on Kemaliye Settle- center and its almost intact villages. ment Pattern and Houses)”, Unpub- This laboratory can evaluate the chang- lished doctorate thesis, ITU-FBE. es in architectural, cultural, social, geo- Berman, M., 1994. All that is Solid logical and geographical areas, and en- Melts Into Air: The Experience of Mo- sure that the relation between the past dernity, Iletisim Publishing, Istanbul. and the future can be established in a Frampton, K., 1985. Modern reconciliatory way. For this, the main Architecture: A Critical Theory, purposes must be planning national Thames&Hudson, New York, USA. and international scientific, art and cul- Hough, M., 1990. Out of Place: Re- tural researches and events; carrying storing Identity to the Regional Land- out inventory studies to preserve and scape, Yale University Press, New Hav- maintain the cultural and artistic assets en, Connecticut, USA. of Kemaliye, and thus, help preserve Jones, P.B., 2002. Long game at Ur- the urban memory and contribute to bino: Giancarlo De Carlo’s tapestry at the development process of the settle- Urbino is an inventive reworking of old ment. This suggestion can be improved and new, in which interventions grow by using the methodologies of The In- of weaving the existing with modern ternational Laboratory of Architecture needs, Architectural Review, 2002. and Urban Design (ILAUD), Italy Field Jones, P.B., 2007. Modern Architec- School (IFS) and ITU MardINT, which ture Through Case Studies 1945-1990, can be exemplified as similar establish- Elsevier, Burlington, USA. ments. The research laboratory must Levi-Strauss, C., 1959. Race et His- be established as a platform based on toire, Metis Publications, Istanbul, Tur- participation, where meet local admin- key. istrations, universities, independent McKean, J., 2004. Giancarlo De researchers, NGO representatives, pro- Carlo: Layered Places, Edition Axel tection board authorities and residents Mendes,Stuttgart, Germany. meet. NAI Publishers, 2005.Team 10: In The research laboratory can also Search of a Utopia of The Present, Rot- act as a production and consultation terdam. center to improve the quality of resto- Scazzosi, L., 2004. Reading and As- ration practices. Workshops can be es- sessing the Landscape As Cultural and tablished, where experienced stone and Historical Heritage, Landscape Re- wood masters transfer their knowledge search,29:4, 335-355 to the new generation, and traditional Tzonis, A. and Lefaivre, L. 1981. The construction techniques can be con- Grid and The Pathway in Architecture tinued. These workshops will allow the in Greece no.5. settlement pattern to be reused with- URL1 Available online, http://www. in a common architecture language, pinterest.com/herrerohurtado/arqui- bringing together house owners and click-aldo-van-eyck/, Accessed 19 Sep- construction craftsmen under an or- tember 2014. ganization where necessary materials are manufactured, and where the set-

ITU A|Z • Vol 13 No 1 • March 2016 • E. Torbaoğlu, Y. Demir