Protection and Restoration of Historic Environment - 20th Edition

The 20th edition of Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay's book, Historical Environment Protection and Restoration, a fundamental reference for restoration and conservation education in Turkey, has been published.

Since its first edition, Historical Environment Protection and Restoration has been met with great interest. It comprehensively addresses the conservation and restoration process from a broad perspective, ranging from the theoretical basis of conservation thought to the studies to be carried out before restoration, from the preparation of the restoration project to restoration techniques.

Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay, who wrote the book Historical Environment Protection and Restoration to inform architecture students about conservation, states:

“Every architect trained in Turkey must be observant of their surroundings, sensitive, and eager to learn. In this country, which harbors cultural layers spanning a long period from prehistory to the present, to fully carry the responsibility placed upon us as architects, it is necessary to embrace the idea that cultural heritage is a common value of humanity and to be internationally equipped. For those involved in conservation practices, making respect for nature and history a principle and avoiding the production of fake historical artifacts is part of professional ethics. I believe that the cultural heritage of our country will thrive through the efforts of sensitive, knowledgeable, and interdisciplinary professionals.”

The topics covered in the book are presented under the following main headings:

• Development and Theoretical Basis of Conservation Thought
• Values to be Protected and Evaluation Criteria
• Factors Causing Deterioration in Monuments
• Studies Carried Out Before Restoration
• Preparation of the Restoration Project
• Restoration Techniques
• Historical Environment Protection
• Organization, Laws, and Conservation Education Related to the Protection of Cultural Heritage
• The texts of the Carta del Restauro, Venice Charter, Amsterdam Declaration, NARA Document on Authenticity, ICOMOS Charter on Traditional Architectural Heritage, and Decision No. 378 of the High Council for the Protection of Immovable Cultural and Natural Heritage are also included in the APPENDIX section of the book.

About Prof. Dr. Zeynep AHUNBAY
Born in Ünye in 1946. She completed her primary education in Zara and Giresun and her secondary education at Arnavutköy American Girls' College in 1965. In 1970, she graduated from Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Faculty of Architecture. In 1971, she became an assistant at the Department of Architectural History and Surveying, ITU Faculty of Architecture. She completed her doctorate in 1975 on "Sultan Ahmed Complex and Beyond in Ottoman Architecture" under the supervision of Prof. Doğan Kuban. In the academic year 1977-78, she attended a specialized course on conservation at the University of York, England, and received a diploma with her thesis on "Archaeology and Conservation in the Ancient City of Side." In 1980, she became an associate professor with her work "Istanbul Madrasahs: An Evaluation in Terms of Conservation and Reuse." In 1988, she was promoted to professor with her work "Architect Sinan's Educational Buildings."
She is currently a faculty member at the Department of Restoration, ITU Faculty of Architecture. She has participated in the documentation and conservation efforts of historical cities such as Edirne, Gaziantep, Safranbolu, Samsat, Tarsus, and Hasankeyf; and has carried out monumental restoration projects and applications. These include the Side Temple of Apollo, Marmara University Rectorate Building, Istanbul City Walls between T1-T6, Hagia Sophia Southwest Corner, Zeyrek Mosque, Bursa Green Tomb, and Uzunkemer restoration projects. The restoration of the Southwest Corner of Hagia Sophia, which she carried out with her husband Prof. Dr. Metin Ahunbay, was awarded the "Special Repair Award" by the Chamber of Architects 8th National Architecture.