Continuity of regional identity: A case study of facade elements in traditional Çeþme houses

A clear understanding of the meaning of sustainable conservation is crucial for cities and settlements. Sustainable conservation can be achieved by protecting the architectural identity of a region. The continuity of historic civic elements preserves the identity and image of cities and settlements. In this context, this study focuses on the importance of sustaining a settlement’s identity. In doing so, changes in the architectural characteristics of the facades of the traditional houses in the Çeþme Castle Conservation Area were considered. Herein, the research methods include field study procedures to identify and analyze the area, and the building materials and facade elements characterize the continuity of regional identity. The results of this research show that architectural facade elements in traditional houses strongly emphasized the regional identity of Çeþme.