Rural Architectural Characteristics and Conservation Issues of Alaaddinbey Village in Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

Alaaddinbey is a small rural hometown located in the north-west skirts of Uludag Mountain, in Nilüfer, Bursa. It was a waqf village that Orhan Gazi had given to his brother Alaaddin Bey. Alaaddinbey Village is one of the rural areas that represent the architectural characteristics of traditional houses in Bursa. At present, new residential and industrial buildings take place in surroundings. Traditional houses are under risk of demolition and vanish because of zoning stress, changing lifestyles and lack of legal protection. In this paper, the traditional urban pattern of the village, plan and facade characteristics, construction techniques and building materials of traditional houses were analysed. The causes of decay of buildings and conservation issues were studied, and recommendations were developed for conservation and survival of traditional houses and urban pattern.