energies Article Hydroelectric Plants and Dams as Industrial Heritage in the Context of Nature-Culture Interrelation: An Overview of Examples in Turkey Nurdan Kuban Department of Architecture, Kocaeli University, Izmit˙ 41300, Kocaeli, Turkey;
[email protected] Abstract: The article investigates nature–culture interrelation over the case studies of hydroelectric plants of the 20th century. In many cases, construction of these structures has evidently resulted in irreversible changes in natural and cultural environments. However, they have also supplied energy for the industrialization of civilizations. After approximately 100 years of existence, it is crucial to determine the future of these hydroelectric facilities, which are artifacts of industrial heritage approaching the end of their productive life spans. The article proposes an analytical approach aiming to sustain the integrity of nature and culture in the conservation of hydroelectric plants, presenting these energy facilities as cultural properties of industrial heritage, and discussing the impact of hydroelectric dams on natural and cultural environments, along with the effects of nature in the deterioration of these structures in order to pave the way to an optimized and sustainable future for the heritage of energy. Keywords: nature-culture; hydroelectric plants; dams; industrial heritage Citation: Kuban, N. Hydroelectric Plants and Dams as Industrial Heritage in the Context of 1. Introduction Nature-Culture Interrelation: An Due to the climate crisis and global disasters, environmental sustainability is on the Overview of Examples in Turkey. agenda as one of the most important contemporary goals. It is of great importance to Energies 2021, 14, 1281. https:// preserve nature for future generations while taking measures such as mitigating water doi.org/10.3390/en14051281 crises and providing the necessary energy for the continuity of human life and culture.