Adapting historic sites: Konya-Sille's approach to climate resilience

Climate change represents an increasingly significant threat worldwide, particularly affecting cities, with historic urban areas encountering this issue on a more profound and complex scale. Although contemporary cities are susceptible to natural calamities due to rapid urban growth and rising population density, historic urban structures, marked by their historical legacy, show a unique vulnerability to the effects of climate change. This is especially pertinent considering their distinctive construction materials and settlement layouts. In this regard, the Sille Neighborhood in Konya, boasting a 5000-year-old history and abundant cultural heritage, emerges as an essential example. It demands detailed scrutiny in the face of environmental challenges like the urban heat island phenomenon, sudden flooding, and drought conditions. The traditional construction materials in Sille, such as wood and adobe, exacerbate this vulnerability, emphasizing the vital need to balance the preservation of historic heritage with climate adaptation strategies.