Detection of cultural landscapes changes in the historical process: The case of Bursa İznik

Abstract

Cultural landscapes are undergoing rapid and radical changes. These changes have brought about the concept of understanding and defining change in the context of conservation and management of cultural landscapes. There are many studies with different perspectives on the determination of such change. In this study, a quantitative method of historical landscape assessment and the commented walk method were applied to an analysis of the Iznik district of Bursa. Aerial photographs from 1943,1953,1963,1973,1997, 2011, and 2016, as well as a map from 1839 were digitized for a historical landscape assessment. In addition, 28 commented walks were conducted as part of the fieldwork. The findings were examined in 3 categories using the 2012 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation definition of a historic urban landscape: changes in natural heritage, changes in tangible cultural heritage, and changes in intangible cultural heritage. Causes of the change processes in each category were identified. As a result of the research, it was determined that the cultural landscapes of Iznik had changed over time. The combined use of different methods can have a positive effect on the sustainability of cultural landscapes.