CIPA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey
spatial analysis about proximity and buffering around the
geographical objects. In Bergama, this operation is realized
for the main street axis and edifices of different historic
periods in order to find out the structures neighbouring
them in the contemporary town. The elements of
contemporary town falling into the buffer zone require
special care due to the possibility of material existence of
their continuation beneath the contemporary tissue or just
due to being closed to the important axis or edifices of
different historic periods, (figure 3).
Presentation of Results: Data Visualization, Output and
Reporting: Although hard copy of the results of the analysis
and evaluations can be provided in the form of maps, charts,
reports and tables easily, this study is primarily designed to be
used in the digital environment over the existing maps by the
decision-makers. In this choice the aim is not to allow
undervaluing the outcome of this study by treating them as
simple analysis sheets and by forgetting that it is a system that
should be managed and updated continuously. Therefore, data
coming from the assessment of historical stratification are
integrated into the attribute table of the related geographical
objects of the contemporary urban form. Thereupon, a heritage
information system, which contains all the necessary
information for identification, for characterizing historical
stratification and for conservation decision-making is provided.
It is also possible to present and share the results with the end
users over Internet, which has not yet been realized for the case
of Bergama.
Figure 3. Results of the assessment of historical stratification
showing the sensitivity areas and traces over the
existing map of Bergama.
3. CONCLUSION
The decision supporting study prepared for Bergama provides
comprehensive information about the historical stratification of
the town, which should be considered in various levels of the
conservation decision-making process. In order to achieve this
information, GIS based assessment method of the study utilizes
huge amounts of data in various formats, scales and details
concerning all the layers making up the contemporary town.
Various analyses provided over these complex data show that
their integration into the conservation decision-making process
is essential, or otherwise the decisions made are not in
accordance with the historical stratification of the town. The
best proof of this is the comparison of the current conservation
areas with the historical stratification of the town (figure 4).
Figure 4. Comparison of the current conservation areas with
the historical stratification of the town.
Hence, this study proved that GIS is an appropriate tool to
realize such a system. GIS have many advantages and potentials
to be utilized as an integral part of such an assessment method,
whereas, they have also some shortcomings as they are not
softwares especially produced or enhanced according to the
requirements of such a study. The important advantages of GIS,
which are recognized through this study, can be summarized as:
• the ability to integrate different types and formats of data,
• allowing the classification of complex data to obtain their
easy and effective utilization,
• providing analysis over both spatial and attribute data,
• presenting an integrated environment where data produced
in other softwares can be used,
• offering a highly precise environment.
Their comparison reveals that, the areas having the same
stratification are subject to different conservation regulations,
which causes the destruction of the existing historical
stratification instead of its conservation (Bilgin Altinoz, Erder
1999).
Besides the study also shows that, the data about the historical
stratification differ at every point of the multi-layered town.
Hence, it is recognized more apparently that in a multi-layered
town like Bergama, it is not possible to make decisions over
generalized information. Thereupon, area-based conservation
decisions are not sufficient for multi-layered towns. The
decisions should be built upon the Area-based information,
which is supplemented with more detailed information
concerning the stratification of the components of urban form.
This study also made obvious that, with conventional
techniques it is not possible to accomplish such a complex
study which requires altogether utilization of huge amounts of
data in various formats, details and scales. Besides, information
on historical stratification is dynamic, as it changes according to
the results of new scientific researches and excavations
concerning different historic periods, as well as according to the
changes occurring in time within the contemporary town.
Therefore, coping with data concerning historical stratification
necessitates a flexible, dynamic, and continuous system. When
prepared with conventional techniques and tools, it becomes a
project once prepared, while with GIS it becomes a system
continuously managed.
