Consumption of Historical Space: Spatial Transformation of Safranbolu Historical Bazaar

Abstract

Under the influence of the consumer culture that dominates the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism, competing cities have begun to resemble each other and their identities have been damaged. It is thought that the Safranbolu Historical Bazaar is an example of the process described due to its constant marketing by the tourism industry and the danger of its unique culture being commodified and collapsing. In this study, it is aimed to first examine and reveal the threats to the sustainability of cultural heritage through the relations established by the space with the concepts of production-consumption and tourism, and then to create a framework that will ensure the sustainable development of the transformation that the space undergoes throughout the production process in historical cities. Based on this, the study aims to contribute to the development of alternative conservation approaches for the Historical Bazaar by producing information that will strengthen and transfer the unique value of the space. The study was designed with qualitative research methods and multiple data collection tools were used together. Observations and in-depth interviews were conducted in order to reveal spatial practices. As a result of the evaluations in the Historical Bazaar, it was seen that the transformation of the city was shaped around a heritage discourse that emphasised consumption, and suggestions were presented to contribute to the sustainability of cultural heritage.