Abstract:

Studies on the interaction with the natural and artificial environment in which the society lives and mutual change within this interaction, the physical elements offered by the natural and built environment, as well as the historical, cultural and social values of the user society. The social-environmental relationships formed by these factors play an effective role in the formation of the feelings of belonging and possession, in the establishment of social identity and land identity. The land identity is described as defining themselves through the local and urban patterns that individuals and communities form with their values, ideals, behaviors and skills. This approach makes the historical areas that concrete the relationship between the past and the present and demonstrate the continuity of the earth in time an important part of the earth identity. Therefore, today, when the objective of the conservation of historical areas, which are an important part of our cultural heritage, is adopted by a sustainable approach, it is important that the social land relations continue to be strengthened. The study established within this conceptual framework addresses the discussions on the sustainability of social-local relations in the preservation of historical spaces, through the Birgi settlement, which was largely able to preserve its traditional character. In this context, it is discussed how the historical and current dynamics of the settlement and how the social-terrestrial relations are shaped and the basic elements of the land identity; the transformation of the cultural tourism influence that the land faces and how the social-terrestrial relations are evolved in this context. On the other hand, the current protection approaches in settlements are being discussed, and the principles are developed in order to strengthen the land identity in the framework of the protection of settlements with a sustainable approach.

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