Edirne: Documentation and Risk Assessment of Architectural Heritage
This study, in which Edirne’s historical structures are considered, primarily aims to assess the architectural history in the province, identify the current conditions of at-risk architectural works, and contribute to their continued existence through scholarly suggestions.
Edirne is home to some well-preserved and historical structures. However, it is known that there are various and numerous historical buildings —especially outside Edirne’s centrum— that are not so well-preserved and face greater risks. Hence, our study focused on districts outside of the centrum, such as Enez, Havsa, İpsala, Keşan, Lalapaşa, Meriç, Süloğlu, and Uzunköprü. Some examples of at-risk structures from villages and localities that border Edirne’s central district were also considered.
We believe that this book may be beneficial in the decision-making processes of relevant persons, institutions, and conservation boards since it contains information about settlement history, buildings’ history, architectural analysis, legal status, risk assessment, and potential future scenarios. We hope that it may also help to transfer cultural heritage to future generations and raise awareness.
Field Studies
The destruction of original information about the structure is as critical a threat as the physical damage inflicted on them. If a building has not been adequately documented, the values inherent to it as a piece of cultural heritage that will be transferred to future generations could be lost. For this reason, a fieldwork was conducted from 25 July to 6 August 2021 to explore historical buildings.
Approximately 80 structures that illuminate the cultural fabric of Edirne and its environs —especially outside of the centrum— were documented during the 12-day fieldwork, but only the ones facing the most danger were included in this publication.
Risk Matrix
Experts participating in the study collaboratively prepared risk analysis tables where each building was numerically evaluated in terms of its priority as a cultural asset and the risks it faces. The structures with accelerating and extensive deteriorations were identified in order to prioritise the ones that face the highest risk.
The assessment system used in this study is based on and developed from Herb Stovel’s report titled Risk Preparedness: A Management Manual for World Cultural Heritage (ICCROM Rome 1998). Each structure was evaluated in terms of “vulnerability” and “significance” criteria: “vulnerability” includes various risks (structural strength, difficulty of access, earthquake, erosion due to wind and rain, soil strength, flooding, and vandalism), while “significance” includes the building’s importance as a cultural asset (originality, interiors, exteriors, degree to which its integrity is preserved).