ABSTRACT
The combined pressures of globalization, industrialization, and climate change create a complex challenge for the preservation of vernacular landscapes. Traditional practices are being lost, and vernacular buildings neglected, as climate change places increasing stress on these sites. Economic migration and shifting priorities make it harder for communities to maintain or restore structures once central to their way of life. Since the 1950s in Türkiye and in many heritage sites across the globe, the rapid decline of vernacular heritage has transformed many buildings into ruins, especially when left unprotected. This chapter examines the current challenges and threats to preserving vernacular heritage in Türkiye, based on the inductive analysis of the interviews with building owners and on-site observations. These challenges, common worldwide, reflect global issues in preserving vernacular landscapes under ongoing urbanization. This chapter also explores potential solutions and highlights the gap between spatial planning decisions and local preservation efforts, which may hinder climate adaptation of vernacular sites. The experiences and solutions shared here provide a valuable reference for other regions facing similar dilemmas in safeguarding their cultural heritage against the impacts of a changing climate.
