An Overview of Traditional Urban Fabric and Houses in Kilis/Turkey

Conserving historic urban environments is currently one of the most universally urgent and
challenging cultural heritage conservation issues. Conservation in this paper is seen as a term that
covers a wide spectrum of issues that can be classified under three categories: historic urban fabric,
traditional Kilis houses and lifestyle concerns. Kilis, which has been a home for many civilizations and
cultures throughout history, is an outstanding settlement with its unique historic urban fabric and
distinctive house plans. Situated in a transition climate zone, the city also shines for its traditional local
cuisine and varied traditional handicrafts. This study aims to give a detailed description of the
traditional urban fabric, streets, squares, residential plan types including commonly used architectural
details, and the traditional materials in Kilis. The study also examines the lifestyle in Kilis with respect
to the city’s potentialities. The recommendations regarding how to preserve and maintain the historic
urban fabric, the traditional Kilis houses, and lifestyle characteristics are presented in the discussion
and conclusion part. In short, Kilis, with its ancient civilization relics, local handicrafts, areas of
sightseeing and resorts, natural monuments, traditional urban fabric, houses, people’s special
lifestyles, local cuisine and so on, is a region with extraordinary characteristics. Kilis deserves every
possible precaution in order for these values to be preserved and for the traditional texture not to be
lost.