An Analysis of the Protection of Historic Civil Architectural Structures within the Framework of International Conventions and Turkish Legislation

Cultural heritage encompasses tangible and intangible values that reflect the identity, knowledge, and collective memory of societies. Historic civil architectural structures are important cultural assets that should be evaluated at architectural, urban, and landscape scales. Their conservation is essential not only for physical continuity but also for preserving spatial identity and cultural sustainability. This study comparatively examines international conventions and Turkish legislation concerning the conservation of historic civil architectural structures through a holistic approach. The findings show that both international and national conservation frameworks have significantly evolved over time. Although they share common principles regarding heritage protection, they differ in terms of scope, implementation methods, and management approaches.