TRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE, and CONSERVATION: THE CASE OF
KORUCAM VILLAGE- CYPRUS
F. Ilkin a *, O. Ozderen a , O. $engezer b
a EMU, Faculty of Architecture , Famagusta, T.R.N.Cyprus - (fatma_76, ozlemozderen)@hotmail.com
b EUL, Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, Gemikonagi, T.R.N.Cyprus - sengezer@lefke.edu.tr
KEY WORDS: Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Building, Architectural Heritage, Conservation Planning and
Revitalization, Traditional Environment and Traditional Housing, Analysis and Techniques, Design and Model Project.
ABSTRACT:
Koru9am was settled in 803 AC as a Maronit Village. Nowadays, a small number of this cultural group lives in the village, when the
number was compared 1200 years ago. Young populations of the culture live in different countries because of the absence of
economic, political and administrative possibilities. For this reason, Maronites are face to face with the loss of sustainability of the
traditional environment and their cultural heritage. In this study, an investigation of Socio-Cultural and Physical environments of
Koru^am Village will be done and urban pattern will be analyzed according to the above mentioned factors.
Analysis will be considered by using different techniques and after that, recommendations will be presented to establish the
conservation and continuity of the Konujam Village.
INTRODUCTION
Cyprus is the third biggest island in the Eastern Mediterranean
Sea. Due to its geographical position, it has become the main
target of rich and powerful cultural groups. That its why;
throughout the history Cyprus has been under the
administration of these groups. Thus, Cyprus today is a country
with rich cultural values, historical perspectives, and with a
diverse architectural heritage. Each of the different cultural
groups; Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Maronites, Lusignan,
Venetians, Ottomans and British, has constructed their own
architectural style in terms of what one might call the mezzo-
micro scale. Nowadays, between these cultural groups, only
Maronites continue to their life who are Catholic Christians.
Maronites immigrated to Cyprus from Lebanon during the 7 th
century, and were settled down to the north slopes of the island
in 72 different villages where they had an approximate
population of 18.000. At the beginning of the 21 st century,
Maronites are living only at Koruqiam village with a population
of 150.
Koru^am village is located on the slopes of the western part of
Be$parmak Mountain range, with a very rare settlement that
preserves its original character. The village has an inorganic
street pattern that contains one or two storey houses in an
attached organization. Its square located at the center of the
village is surrounded by cafes, small market, restaurant and St.
George church from the period of 15th century. There exists a
cultural tourism potential which is covered by physical
environment that forms the traditional pattern of the village.
Today, immigration plays a major role in Koru^am because of
the absence of education; insufficient economical and
administrative opportunities, population of the village is
decreasing day by day, which causes them to lose their cultural
and architectural heritages resulting in the loss of sustainability
and continuity of the traditional environment.
In the research, Koru^am is considered at the house and
settlement scale, and research will be done on settlement pattern
and characteristics of space with theoretical, typological,
numerical, analysis in terms of cultural values. Documentation,
measured drawing, photographic recording, surveying,
mapping, 3D model and GIS techniques will be used to realize
the analysis. For the cultural sustainability and settlement
continuity; physical, economical, educational, cultural and
administrative recommendations will be handled and a model
project will be developed, designed according to these
recommendations.
This study will try to put forward the revitalization method
which will be used to conserve the traditional pattern that is
formed by physical and socio cultural environment for its
sustainability and continuity with existing potentials.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
This analysis was also supported by various interviews that
were done with the villagers, information found in the
literatures and observations. Physical environment and Socio-
Cultural structure of the Koruçam Village was investigated with
this analysis.
Theoretical analysis of physical environment of the
Koruqam Village
Koruçam is a Maronite village where located 24 miles away
Southern Kyrenia and on a slope. It’s settling down is based on
an old history. 1200 years ago, Maronites came from Lebanon
and settled at the slopes of Northern Cyprus. One of the villages
where Maronites settled is Koruçam. The original name of
Koruçam is Kormakiti. It is called as Kormacit as well. It is an
original Maronite village and today Maronite community lives
at this village. At every point of the village the Maronite culture
is felt and perceived.
