The importance of local materials in sustainable rural planning: Case of Gelemiç

Studies carried out for sustainable and low carbon emission rural area design and planning are important in minimising the effects of climate change and protecting the ecology. Especially in rural areas, the choice of local materials plays an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability within the scope of landscape planning studies, creating the identity and aesthetic values of the region. In recent years, the traditional building materials used in traditional buildings in rural settlements and the fact that the structures in which these materials are applied do not harm the nature and are suitable for user comfort have been effective in bringing these structures back to the agenda. Traditional buildings were constructed with the most appropriate materials and components depending on the climatic characteristics. In addition, designing and planning studies by taking into consideration the natural, climatic, cultural, social and economic factors of rural settlements contributes to the success of the low carbon target in these areas. In this study, adobe buildings in village settlements within the scope of low carbon rural areas in Gelemiç rural settlement within the borders of Bursa province were evaluated in terms of sustainability and also examined within the scope of climatic and ecological parameters. The construction technique of traditional architectural structures was observed and analytical methods were used to analyse adobe, which is the original and local building material. In addition, the climatic characteristics (precipitation and temperature data between 2004-2024) and geological structure (seismicity, rock structure and soil structure) of the study area were examined and maps were produced using Geographic Information Systems. In line with the information on the produced maps, construction techniques and material properties used in traditional buildings were analysed. As a result of the study, the adobe building material used in traditional houses in Gelemiç rural settlements adapts to the climatic and ecological structure of the region and contributes to the sustainability of the cultural landscape. According to the laboratory tests, the strengths of adobe, which is the main building material used in the timber frame system in the study area, are similar to the values specified in the literature. In addition, the intensive use of adobe material in the study area, the fact that the raw material used in adobe production is supplied from the location close to the settlement, the CO2 emission that may occur in the logistics process is low and the adobe material used is suitable in terms of sustainability.