Impacts of the Changes in Agriproduction on Rural Heritage in the Case of Müşküle, Iznik, Turkey

Abstract

PurposeAgriculture is both a constituent and an integral part of rural culture. Therefore, agricultural planning is essential to the conservation of rural heritage. However, this relationship has received limited scholarly attention. Focusing on the rural settlement of M & uuml;sk & uuml;le in Turkey, this research paper reveals the vital role of agricultural planning in sustaining rural architectural heritage.Design/methodology/approachWe examine the settlement's history of agricultural production in relation to national agricultural policies and practices from the early 20th century to the present, analyzing how these shifts have affected the built heritage. The research is a combination of literature review, fieldwork and face-to-face interviews. Aerial images, on-site architectural surveys and interviews were used to identify the features of the built environment. These were followed by in-depth thematic analysis.FindingsWe find that the lack of agricultural planning has led to economic decline among rural households, resulting in the neglect of architectural heritage, abandonment of traditional dwellings and increased rural outmigration. As specialized agricultural products shape the character of rural architecture, changes in production can lead to the removal of heritage-valued building elements, degradation of traditional architectural features and loss of traditional knowledge.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates the strong link between rural production (i.e. agriproduction) and architectural heritage. It shows how agriproduction shapes rural fabric, plan typologies and building elements and underscores the decisive role of agricultural planning in rural heritage conservation.