Planning challenges for archaeological heritage

Abstract

The cultural and historical accumulation of various cultures and their socio-spatial development throughout history have left behind numerous archaeological sites in contemporary Turkey. Some of the more popular ones, Çatalhöyük, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Troy, Hattusa, Pergamon, Aphrodisias and, more recently, Göbekli Tepe, which is a unique site that has dramatically changed the understanding of human history, are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At all such sites, the primary concerns are related to site management, and these can be resolved through the provision of basic guidance and tools rather than through urban and regional planning strategies. This article focuses on the problems and recent planning discussions in urban or regional contexts related to the conservation of archaeological heritage. The article begins by discussing the current legislation and administrative framework to provide an understanding of recent planning issues in Turkey. Finally, the main themes of the article are two particular planning challenges related to archaeological heritage in Turkey—large-scale projects that threaten archaeological heritage and multi-layered historic city centres—which will be discussed in detail supported by case studies as İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Antakya, Tarsus and Bergama.