Determining Local User Preferences in the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings as Social and Cultural Spaces: The Case of the Erzurum Protestant Boys' School

Abstract

One of the reasons for the disappearance of architectural heritage, which constitutes the collective memory of societies, is the gradual loss of functionality over time. Historical buildings that lack function and are closed off to users are inevitably condemned to deteriorate and fall into ruin, ultimately disappearing along with all traces of the past. The adaptive reuse of buildings with historical value is a comprehensive process aimed at preserving their significance while adapting them for contemporary use and transmitting them to future generations. Choosing the most appropriate function from among the alternatives proposed for the reuse of historical buildings requires considering multiple factors. In adaptive reuse, which is regarded as a conservation approach, architectural characteristics, social and cultural values, environmental factors, and user opinions should all be considered when assigning new functions to historical structures. Although these factors are generally considered in adaptive reuse projects, user opinions often remain in the background. Therefore, adopting a participatory approach that integrates user perspectives into the reuse process would be a more accurate and effective strategy. In this study, the aim is to determine local user opinions and preferences within the adaptive reuse process of historical buildings, with a specific focus on the Protestant Boys' School located in Erzurum. As a method, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to 100 local users. Based on the survey results, a new social and cultural function is proposed for the Protestant Boys' School, which considers the desires and preferences of the local community.