Transformation of Rural Residential Architecture: The Case of Diyarbakır-Şükürlü Village, Türkiye

Abstract

Rural areas characterized by low population density and intensive agricultural and livestock activities have been undergoing a significant process of spatial and structural transformation across Turkey. This transformation is particularly manifest in the production typologies of rural housing and the building materials employed. Taking Şükürlü Village in Diyarbakır as a case study, this research examines the transition from vernacular adobe dwellings to new constructions featuring distinct material and spatial attributes. The primary objective of the study is to elucidate the underlying reasons for this transformation through a user-centric approach and to evaluate user attitudes toward the existing built environment. The study analyzes vernacular houses with new spatial additions built using brick, stone, briquette, and reinforced concrete alongside adobe, as well as entirely newly constructed dwellings. Fieldwork conducted on 21 houses utilized survey, on-site observation, and documentation methods. The findings demostrate that although users maintain positive attitudes toward adobe houses regarding low cost, thermal comfort, and spatial flexibility, maintenance difficulties and durability concerns trigger a shift toward modern materials. In conclusion, re-evaluating eco-friendly building materials with high cultural value, such as adobe, in accordance with contemporary conditions is of critical importance for the sustainability of rural architecture. Structurally reinforced hybrid housing models that require less maintenance can enable both the preservation of local architectural heritage and the fulfillment of contemporary needs.