AN EVALUATION ON THE CHANGE OF STREET- FAÇADE RELATIONSHIP IN ANCIENT MARDIN

Abstract

: Topography and climate have an important place among the elements shaping traditional housing texture. The traditional texture of Mardin is one of the rare examples with its settlement in both street-façade and sloping topography. Aim : The aim of the study is to analyze the design parameters of traditional street fabric in Mardin has historical and cultural heritage and to continue the design approach in façade arrangement works by revealing the relationship between traditional street fabric and façade. Method : Within the scope of this study observation, photographing, interviews with institutions and literature review were made. The relation between façade of house and street was revealed by evaluat-ing the plans, maps and analyzes of the traditional fabric of Mardin obtained from local governments. Also photographs taken in the area were used for the evaluation of residential layout, properties of door and window at façade see the street, residential and street fabric. In this evaluation, topography, climate and cultural parameters were focused. Findings : In this study, the connection of traditional Mardin houses and their location to the street is discussed.Topography, climate and cultural parameters have a significant impact on the formation of traditional Mardin’s street and residential fabric. Old Mardin houses and settlement structure, street and facade characteristics are shaped within the framework of these parameters. Result : In the framework of the holistic understand- ing, the necessity of conservation of the traditional residential fabric of Mardin is revealed. In order to prevent the deteriora- tion of these areas, which are data banks in the formation of sustainable street textures, recommendations were made for the survival and protection of these areas. ABSTRACT Historical urban areas with the values belonging to the past, have formed settlements that have unique properties. Mardin has formed the example of commercial city and unique settlement, with its climate, topography, historical and cultural structure. Mardin consists of the fortress located on the plain on a steep rocky ground and the main city on the south-facing slope of the castle. With the effect of topography, the city continued its development towards the south.This situation led to the orientation of the houses with multi-storey and terraced, and developing of the streets parallel to the slope in the east-west direction. In order to provide road connections in the north-south direction of the settlement, solutions were often produced with large step ladders. The width of the roads is limited with the narrowness of the terrain and the effect of the climate. In general city protected its borders until the XIX. century, from these years new elements added to the city has entered the process of growth and change. Mardin city center was preserved as a protected area due to the fact that it was declared as a protected area in 1979, but the new urbanization trends led to the transformation pressure in the old city center. With its location and multicultural cosmopolitan structure belonging to various religions, the old Mardin city has become the center of attention of many people. The houses are located on the narrow streets and there are entrance doors, windows and exits on the front facing the street. Sometimes