A Solution Proposal for the Physical, Functional and, Visual Integration Problems of Ancient Roman Agora of Izmir

Ref.: 191
Key theme: 03 Visual integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 18/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

AYDENIZ, Ebru * (Turkey) - Yasar University

ABSTRACT

Most of the historic towns have witnessed several civilizations existed in different periods of time in the course of the history. Every single period has added new elements to the towns and thus the historical continuity and integrated development of the towns' have been formed. Cultural layers formed throughout the historical continuity are the peculiar features which are adding characteristics to towns. Today, community conditions call for development and towns are to meet social and physical of daily life in one hand, and try to preserve the historical traces on the other. A number of issues occur at this point; physical, functional and visual integration of historic urban landscapes to the daily life of the city can not be possible. Especially the archaeological sites which are the components of the older periods under the ground cannot be integrated to the city and even cannot be observed within the city.

City of Izmir has been a place of settlement without interruption since the 3rd century B.C., and served as a stage life activities during this process. In almost every period, settlements had been built up over the past time relics and old time remainder and scraps were used in the new constructions. At the present time, it is obvious that Ottoman-Turk times seems to be the main factor in the formation of aboveground urban environment in Izmir and the effectiveness of the components belonging to this period in the formation of urban identity can easily be observed. Respond to this, there are other layers from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods; but the components belonging to these layers are mostly located underground. Whereas these layers have to be emerged within the city. The Roman Agora is one of the most important ancient element of the city. But this unique building is not integrated to the city and even cannot be visible within the city because of the squatter's houses surrounding it. This archaeological site doesn't integrate within the social and cultural life of the city as well. This ancient Agora needs urgent interventions; expropriation of the squatter's houses should be completed and all of them should be destroyed. After the demolishing of these buildings around the Agora, archaeological excavations should be finished, accesibility and observability of the remains by the visitors should be provided and contemporary functions which will supply modern community's necessities should be given to this area. Contemporary architectural structures can be constructed in empty plots which will attract modern community to this ancient environment. In this instance, there are many factors which will be taken into consideration about visual integrity of the buildings. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the Roman Agora of Izmir and its surroundings in order to develope a solution proposal for the phsical, functional and visual integration problems of this unique ancient ruin.

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