The Evaluation of Urban Historic Sites Rehabilitation Project for Tourism Destination: Case Study of Hamamonu/Ankara

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is the evaluation of Hammonu rehabilitation project from two viewpoints. First, Hamamonu district have been evaluated with urban identity and conservation. Hamamonu district reflects the effects of rehabilitation project on conservation historical values of old and unused parts of the city in Ankara. It also has been deemed worthy of 2011 European Destination of excellence award. Second, the site has been evaluated from the tourists' perspective giving some assessments and perceptions of users about the area. The Altindag Municipality has been selected Hamamonu district as the rehabilitation project due to the historical values and urban regeneration necessities in central part of Ankara. Since 2006, Altindag Municipality have reconstructed or completely rebuilt many buildings and designed pedestrian zone in an area of around 210 hectares. The rehabilitation team tried to restore the original charm of the district which reflects traditional styles of Turkish Republic to attract inhabitants back and make the place an interesting destination for tourists. Our study has been developed mainly based on field survey and questionnaire. Visitors (native and/or foreign) have analyzed and tried to evaluate their ideas about the district, as a tourism destination, post Hamamonu rehabilitation project with randomly selected questionnaire. In summary, it has been tried to distinguish how much this project is successful in urban identity and historical values conservation beside its international successes.