Publications
Capacity Building and Participation in Conserving the Multi-Layered Cultural Heritage of Bergama
A novel capacity-building framework has been developed to enhance the conservation of Bergama's (Pergamon) multi-layered cultural heritage. This approach integrates community involvement, NGO collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, drawing from the UNDP's general capacity-building model. Key actors were identified through keyword scanning, surveys, interviews, and frequency analysis, alongside a tailored capacity-building scale for experts. The research evaluates existing and targeted capacities while addressing heritage-community dynamics in Bergama's urban core. This holistic method aims to strengthen institutional structures and foster sustainable conservation practices, offering a replicable model for other heritage sites.
An Odyssey to Heritage Education: The Inspiring Example of Bergama and Its Communities
Heritage education emerges as a transformative force, capable of fostering societal bonds and place-based connections through innovative strategies. Bergama (Pergamon), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, exemplifies this potential by integrating heritage into an educational framework that engages communities, academia, and local institutions. The city's systematic approach, rooted in participatory practices, has successfully positioned its cultural landscape—particularly vernacular architecture—as both tangible and intangible educational assets. This study highlights Bergama’s pioneering role in heritage education, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can bridge expertise, inclusion, and sustainability while offering a scalable model for global conservation discourse.
A Late Recompense: The Rediscovered Monumental Octagon at Pergamon
A monumental octagonal structure, previously overlooked despite its historical significance, was rediscovered beneath the modern city of Bergama, Turkey. This finding sheds light on Pergamon's complex multi-layered cultural landscape, spanning from Roman times to the present day. The discovery highlights the importance of archival research in unraveling the hidden layers of ancient cities with long research histories. The study examines the Octagon's history across three excavation periods, addressing its preservation state, access challenges, and the research methodology adapted to current conditions. This rediscovery not only enriches our understanding of Pergamon's past but also underscores the value of integrating archival materials into archaeological investigations.
Urban Conservation Policies and Plans for a World Heritage Site Case: Antique Pergamon City and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
Pergamon (Bergama), Turkey, achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014 as a multi-layered cultural landscape, highlighting successful urban and archaeological conservation efforts spanning from 1992 to 2014. The study reveals that while such achievements are possible through coordinated policies by central and local governments, they come at the cost of time, financial resources, and potential loss in historical areas, particularly Ottoman houses and open archaeological sites. It also underscores persistent challenges faced by Turkey's urban and archaeological sites, including lack of public awareness, insufficient funding, and administrative inefficiencies. The research focuses on the conservation policies implemented by key authorities such as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Bergama Municipality, and the General Directorate of Vakiflar, providing a case study for effective heritage management.
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