Vernacular Architecture as an Expression of Cities’ Identity: Gercüş Houses in Turkey

Abstract

Gercüş, situated in south-eastern part of Turkey, is a small district, which has distinctive character with traditional stone houses and that of position in dramatic topography. The city also shares similarities in terms of vernacular culture and architecture style with the neighbour cities such as Midyat, Savur and Mardin, so it can be defined as a part of vernacular culture of south-eastern Anatolia. The research aimed to investigate the role of constructive culture that shows cities identity analysing the traditional houses which dated first half of twentieth century and survival of the original texture of historic centre as known “old bazaar area” in Gercüş. As a result of investigations in the study area, it is tried to analyse city’s identity through architecture with plan typologies of traditional houses and social structure of inhabitants in comparing with neighbour cities. In addition, conservation issues of houses and urban fabric; truism potential of town with its architecture and location and the necessity of registration as conservation site are mentioned.