Preserving Rural Heritage: The Operate of Münire Rumeysa Çakan and Collaborative Conservation Efforts in Türkiye
Efforts to document and conserve rural architectural heritage in Türkiye are gaining momentum, spearheaded by researchers like Münire Rumeysa Çakan. Her work, alongside colleagues Emre Kishalı and Asil Yaman, focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by vernacular architecture in the region, particularly near the ancient city of Phoenix.
A Focus on Continuity and Change
Çakan, a Ph.D. Candidate in Restoration at Kocaeli University and a lecturer at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University , specializes in the documentation and conservation of rural houses and landscapes. Her research, detailed in a recent study titled “The Morphology of Continuity: An Analytical Documentation of Vernacular Architecture in Phoenix Rural Settlements” , examines how building practices have evolved over time, reflecting a long-term relationship between people, materials, and the environment.
The study highlights the persistence of traditional techniques like stone masonry and carpentry, and the adaptive reuse of materials – known as spolia – dating back to antiquity. This approach recognizes a “continuity through change” paradigm, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability inherent in these rural systems.
Interdisciplinary Approach and Key Projects
Çakan’s work is characterized by an interdisciplinary methodology, combining Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, and oral histories. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of spatial patterns and the transmission of craft traditions across generations.
Her field experience includes participation in the Phoenix Archaeological Project and the Iznik (Nicea) Survey Project since 2022. Currently, as of 2026, she serves as the vice director of the Alanya Castle Excavations in Türkiye, overseeing documentation and conservation efforts.
Collaborative Expertise
Çakan collaborates with a team of experts, including Emre Kishalı, a faculty member in the Department of Architecture at Kocaeli University, whose research focuses on the intersection of architecture and engineering in conservation. Kishalı’s expertise includes architectural heritage, sustainability, and non-destructive testing.
Asil Yaman, Assistant Professor at Izmir University of Economics, brings expertise in the material culture of Late Antiquity and the archaeology of the Carian Chersonese. Yaman is the founder and director of the Phoenix Archaeological Project (PAP), dedicated to documenting and safeguarding the rural cultural landscape of ancient Phoenix.
Digital Documentation and Community Engagement
Recognizing the threats posed by environmental factors and the decline in traditional craftsmanship, Çakan’s research emphasizes the importance of integrating digital documentation with community experience. This holistic approach aims to preserve the cultural landscape of the Aegean region as a dynamic, living culture. Her work at the University of Pavia in Italy in 2024 further enhanced her skills in digital documentation methods, including Scan-to-HBIM and GIS.