The importance of local materials in sustainable rural planning: Case of Gelemiç
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2026.v7i1207Keywords:
Adobe, geographic information systems, rural architectural heritage, rural landscape planning, sustainable planning.Abstract
Studies carried out for sustainable and low carbon emission rural area design and planning are important in minimising the effects of climate change and protecting the ecology. Especially in rural areas, the choice of local materials plays an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability within the scope of landscape planning studies, creating the identity and aesthetic values of the region. In recent years, the traditional building materials used in traditional buildings in rural settlements and the fact that the structures in which these materials are applied do not harm the nature and are suitable for user comfort have been effective in bringing these structures back to the agenda. Traditional buildings were constructed with the most appropriate materials and components depending on the climatic characteristics. In addition, designing and planning studies by taking into consideration the natural, climatic, cultural, social and economic factors of rural settlements contributes to the success of the low carbon target in these areas. In this study, adobe buildings in village settlements within the scope of low carbon rural areas in Gelemiç rural settlement within the borders of Bursa province were evaluated in terms of sustainability and also examined within the scope of climatic and ecological parameters. The construction technique of traditional architectural structures was observed and analytical methods were used to analyse adobe, which is the original and local building material. In addition, the climatic characteristics (precipitation and temperature data between 2004-2024) and geological structure (seismicity, rock structure and soil structure) of the study area were examined and maps were produced using Geographic Information Systems. In line with the information on the produced maps, construction techniques and material properties used in traditional buildings were analysed. As a result of the study, the adobe building material used in traditional houses in Gelemiç rural settlements adapts to the climatic and ecological structure of the region and contributes to the sustainability of the cultural landscape. According to the laboratory tests, the strengths of adobe, which is the main building material used in the timber frame system in the study area, are similar to the values specified in the literature. In addition, the intensive use of adobe material in the study area, the fact that the raw material used in adobe production is supplied from the location close to the settlement, the CO2 emission that may occur in the logistics process is low and the adobe material used is suitable in terms of sustainability.
Downloads
References
Acun, S. & Gürdal, E. (2003). Yenilenebilir bir malzeme: kerpiç ve alçılı kerpiç. Türkiye Mühendislik Haberleri, 427, 71-77.
Ağan, A. (2024). Investigation of the use of local materials in historical buildings: The case of Ayvalık. In Ö. Parlak Biçer (Ed.), Researches and Evaluations in the Field of Architecture, (pp. 26-39). Gece Kitaplığı Yayınevi. [Turkish]
Ajaj, Q. M., Shareef, M. A., Hassan, N. D., Hasan, S. F., & Noori, A. M. (2018). GIS based spatial modeling to mapping and estimation relative risk of different diseases using inverse distance weighting (idw) interpolation algorithm and evidential belief function (EBF) (Case study: minor part of Kirkuk City, Iraq). Int. J. Eng. Technol, 7(4), 185-191.
Akbaş, M. F., Aslan, M., & Arpacıoğlu, Ü. (2022). Yeşil malzeme bağlamında kerpiç. Eksen Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, 3(2), 72-88.
Altiner, F., & Kelkit, A. (2021). Land use cover change analysıs (1985-2020) of Ayvalık district Balıkesir Turkey using geographic information systems and remote sensing. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 10(11), 8275-8290.
Anderson, B. (1977). Solar Energy: Fundamentals in Building Design. McGraw‐Hill.
Aras-Gaudry, A., Fronteau, G., & Hamard, E. (2023). Rediscovering raw earth heritage of champagne area (France): cartography and typology of a specific adobe vernacular architecture. Materials Today: Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.08.310
Balta, S., & Atik, M. (2019). Köy tasarım rehberlerinin hazırlanmasında kırsal peyzaj karakterlerinin yeri: Antalya Elmalı örneği. Mediterranean Agricultural Sciences, 32(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.29136/mediterranean.475220
Bayizitlioğlu, B. (2017). Conservation and maintenance of earth constructions: yesterday and today. The Historic Environment: Policy & Practice, 8(4), 323–354. https://doi.org/10.1080/17567505.2017.1399966
Beckett, C., & Ciancio, D. (2010, December). A review of the contribution of thermal mass to thermal comfort in rammed earth structures. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri lanka.
Bingöl, F., Altıner, F., & Kelkit, A. (2023). Analyzing the most eligible site selection for biomass energy facilities through weighted overlay analysis: Case of Balikesir (Turkey) province. Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 60(1), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.1136651
Binici, H., Durgun, M. Y., & Yardım, Y. (2010). Kerpiç yapılar depreme dayanıksız mıdır? avantajları ve dezavantajları nedir?. KSÜ Müh. Bil. Dergisi, 13(2), 1-10.
Bostan, Z. (2014). Düşük karbonlu kentsel gelişme bağlamında korunacak kültür varlıklarının yeniden ele alınması. Unpublished master dissertation. Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi.
Bui, Q. B., Morel J. C., Venkatarama Reddy, B. V., & Ghayad, W. (2009). Durability of rammed earth walls exposed for 20 years to natural weathering. Built Environment, 44(5), 912–919.
Cav´e M., Sindonino S., & Groetembril S. (2022). Exemples d’habitats aristocratiques sur lessites des rues eug`ene-desteuque et ponsardin `A Reims/Durocortorum.In:Gallia,79-1,169-194. https://doi.org/10.4000/gallia.6589 [French]
Chen, F. W., & Liu, C. W. (2012). Estimation of the spatial rainfall distribution using inverse distance weighting (idw) in the middle of Taiwan. Paddy and Water Environment, 10, 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-012-0319-1
Chen, R., Zhang, R., & Han, H. (2021). Where has carbon footprint research Gone. Ecological Indicators, 120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106882
Christoforou, E., Kylili, A., Fokaides, P. A., & Ioannou, I. (2016). Cradle to site life cycle assessment (LCA) of adobe bricks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 443-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.016
Costa, C., Cerqueira, Â., Rocha, F., & Velosa, A. (2019). The sustainability of adobe construction: past to future. International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 13(5), 639–647. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2018.1459954
Çümen, U., & Sarıkaya, H. (2023).Hazır beton santralinin karbon emisyonlarının belirlenmesi. Bingöl Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler Dergisi, 4(2), 27-36.
Damluji, S. A. (2023). Yemen Reality- Architecture Sculptured in Mud and Stone. Garnet Publishing Limited.
Demircan, M., Alan, İ., & Şensoy, S. (2011). Coğrafî bilgi sistemleri kullanarak sıcaklık haritalarının çözünürlüğünün artırılması. TMMOB Harita ve Kadastro Mühendisleri Odası, 13, 18-22.
Elagöz Timur, B., & Asiliskender, B. (2024). Kırsal peyzaj mirası çalışmalarının habitus üzerinden değerlendirilmesi, Milli Folklor, 36(141). https://doi.org/10.58242/millifolklor.1129209
Erguvanli, K. (1995). Mühendislik Jeolojisi. Seç Yayın Dağıtım. [Turkish]
Görmüş, S., & Oğuz, D. (2013). Kırsal yerleşim ve korunan alan arasındaki etkileşimin değerlendirilmesinde peyzaj karakter analizinin rolü: Kapısuyu Havzası örneği. Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, 19(4), 310-322.
Güğercin, Ö., Baytorun, N., Koç, D., & Polat, B. (2018). Adana ve Mersin illerinin bazı ilçelerinde bulunan kerpiç ve taş konutların mevcut durumlarının saptanması. Çukurova Tarım ve Gıda Bilimleri Dergisi, 33(2), 47-62. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/cutarim/issue/42081/439754
Güğercin, Ö., Baytorun, A. N., & Sezen, S. M. (2018). Kerpiç ve betonarme konutlarda kullanılan bazı yapı malzemelerinin üretiminde enerji gereksinimleri. Çukurova Tarım ve Gıda Bilimleri Dergisi, 33(1), 29-36.
Hammond, G. & Jones C. (2008). Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) – Version 1.6a. University of Bath.
Huang, F., Jiang, S., Zhan, W., Bechtel, B., Liu, Z., Demuzere, M., ... & Chen, J. (2023). Mapping local climate zones for cities: a large review. Remote Sensing of Environment, 292, 113573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2023.113573
Illampas, R., Ioannou, I.& Charmpis, D.C. (2023). Overview of the pathology, repair and strengthening of adobe structures. Int. J. Archit. Herit. 7, 165-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2011.624254
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2025). Global Warming of 1.5 ºC. (Retrieved January, 3, 2025) https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
Khouni, I., Louhichi, G., & Ghrabi, A. (2021). Use of GIS based inverse distance weighted interpolation to assess surface water quality: case of Wadi El Bey, Tunisia. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 24.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101892
Kocabaş, A. (2012). The transition to low carbon urbanisation in Turkey: emerging policies and initial action. In Habitat International, 37, 80-87.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.12.016
Koçak, H., & Bozyurt, O. (2012). Küresel iklim değişikliğine yönelik çözüm odaklı yaklaşımlar. Journal of Social, Humanities and Administrative Sciences, 7(47), 2468-2479. http://dx.doi.org/10.31589/JOSHAS.831
Koçu, N., & Korkmaz Z. (2004). Kerpiç malzeme ile üretilen yapılarda deprem etkilerinin tespiti. 2. Ulusal Yapı Malzemesi Kongresi. TMMOB Mimarlar Odası İstanbul Büyükkent Şubesi.
Liu, J., Hu, R., Wang, R., & Yang, L. (2009). Regeneration of vernaculararchitecture: New rammedearthhouses on theupperreaches of the Yangtze River. Frontiers of Energy and Power Engineering in China, 4, 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-010-0002-4
Morel, J. C., Mesbah, A., Oggero, M., & Walker, P. (2001). Building houses with local materials: means to drastically reduce the environmental impact of Construction. Building and Environment, 36(10), 1119-1126.
Nielsen, C.V. (2008). Carbon footprint of concrete buildings seen in the life cycle perspective. NRMCA 2008 Concrete Technology Forum, Proceedings, Denver.
Niroumand, H., Zain M. F. M., & Jamil M. (2013). A Guideline for assenssing of critical parameters on earth architecture and earth building as a sustainable architecture in various countries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 28, 130–65.
Orhon, A.V. (2012). Tasarımdan yapıma, sürdürülebilir beton yaklaşımları. 2. Proje ve Yapım Yönetimi Kongresi, Urla, Bildiriler Kitabı, 700-706.
Özgünler, M. (2017). Kırsal sürdürülebilirlik bağlamında geleneksel köy evlerinde kullanılan toprak esaslı yapı malzemelerinin incelenmesi. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 2, 33-41.
Purnell, P. (2013). The carbon footprint ff reinforced concrete. Advances in Cement Research, 25(6), 362-368. https://doi.org/10.1680/adcr.13.00013
Reyes, J. C., Yamin, L. E., Hassan, W. M., Sandoval, J. D., Gonzalez, C. D., & Galvis, F. A. (2018). Shear behavior of adobe and rammed earth walls of heritage structures. Engineering Structures, 174, 526-537.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.07.061
Royer, C. (2011). Les carreaux de terre crue en champagne-ardenne. in: les cultures constructives de la brique crue: echanges transdisciplinaires. 3. Editions Esp´erou, ENSAM.
Salih, M. M., Osofero, A. I., & Imbabi, M. S. (2020). Critical review of recent development in fiber reinforced adobe bricks for sustainable construction. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 14, 839-854.
Selim, H.H ., Eyidoğan., H., & Tüysüz, O. (2005). Güney Marmara bölgesi'nde tarihsel ve aletsel dönemlerde oluşan depremlerin sismolojik ve jeolojik incelemesi. Deprem Sempozyumu, Kocaeli.
Silveira, D., Varum, H., & Costa, A. (2007). Rehabilitation of an important cultural and architectural heritage: the traditional adobe constructions in aveiro district. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 102.
Şahin, Ş. (2006). Kırsal peyzaj: peyzaj karakter analizi, peyzaj planlama ve peyzaj yönetimi, Türkiye’deki peyzaj uygulamaları ve avrupa peyzaj sözleşmesi. Eğitim uygulama programı. 10.13140/RG.2.2.14173.54245
Şahinalp, M. S. A. (2012). Type of rural houses or a cultural heritage that tending to disappear: beehive houses of Suruç. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 11(3), 881-916.
Turkish Statistical Institute. (2024). Population and demography. (Retrieved January, 3, 2025) https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Kategori/GetKategori?p=Nufus-ve-Demografi-109
Turkish Standard. (1977). TS 2514 - Adobe blocks and production methods.
Varum, H., Costa, A., Fonseca, J., & Furtado, A. (2015). Behaviour characterization and rehabilitation of adobe construction. Procedia Engineering, 114, 714-721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.015
Wang, F., & Prominski, M. (2020). Landscapes with locality in urban or rural areas. Indoor and Built Environment, 29(8),1047-1052.https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X209383
World Health Organisation. (2025). (Retrieved January, 3, 2025) https://www.who.int/data/#highlights
Yalçın, Ç., Kavut, İ. E., & Bingöl, K. (2022). Kerpiç malzemenin Anadoluda geleneksel yapılarda kullanımı. 8gen-ART, 2(1), 82-96.
Yue, J., Zhang, Y., Li, P., Zhang, J., Huang, X., Yue, Y., & Han, Z. (2022). Experimental study on the mix ratio of restored heritage building adobe. Materials, 15(11), 4034. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15114034
Yüceer, S.Y. (2011). Mimari tasarımlarında iklim çözümleme: İstanbul üzerine bir deneme. Mimarlık Dergisi.
Ziegler S, Leshchinsky D, Ling H. L. & Perry E B. (1998). Effect of short polymeric fibres on crack development in clays. Soil and Foundation, 38(1), 247–253.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Figen Altıner, Ayşegül Ağan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
