Evaluation of Traditional and Modern Urban Texture in the Scale of Building and Street in the Scope of Sustainability: Siirt Case

When past urbanism and architectural practices are examined, it is seen that climatic conditions were considered and materials specific to the region were used. In addition, the urban and architectural texture formed meets sustainability principles. Urbanization and construction models were followed in areas with different climatic and topographic conditions. In addition, urban and architectural textures specific to the regions were shaped. In this context, Siirt province is a city with narrow streets, adjacent structure texture, and cas houses in terms of architecture due to its hot and dry climate characteristics. In this study, neighborhoods with traditional and modern textures in the city were evaluated in terms of sustainability at the structure and street scale. While the historical texture of conventional neighborhoods and cas houses built with local materials reflect the characteristic features of the region, the structures built by considering the technology and conditions offered by the time were designed by taking the same type of modern structures as examples. Traditional Siirt structures, which have a hot and dry climate, were designed to be cool in summer and warm in winter. Climate-appropriate structures emerged using the ‘cas’ material obtained by firing limestone. With technology development and decreased cas masters, cas houses were replaced by stone structures. With technological innovations and developments, regional conditions and climate have been ignored, and standard, multi-story structures have replaced old structures. As a result of comparing modern and traditional structures, it has been concluded that traditional structures are more sustainable. The reason for this is the use of local materials in traditional architecture and the fact that cas houses are more suitable for the climate conditions in the region and that the living spaces in the neighborhoods where cas houses are located are more environmentally friendly and more functional.