IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

This study explores the socio-spatial transformation of the Dara archaeological site in Mardin, Türkiye, by combining GIS and Remote Sensing methods with qualitative analysis. Dara is not only an archaeological site but also a living rural landscape shaped by everyday life. Since the start of excavations and the introduction of strict conservation policies, the area has undergone major physical and social changes. Remote Sensing data, including satellite images and aerial photographs, are used to track land-use changes, settlement patterns, and the physical impacts of conservation over time. These datasets are analyzed in a GIS environment through layered mapping and spatial analysis. This helps to show how archaeological zones, residential areas, and infrastructure have evolved and interacted. At the same time, field observations and oral histories provide insight into local experiences, memories, and social relations. The findings suggest that conservation practices, especially repair restrictions and zoning rules, have contributed to migration, loss of traditional life, and growing tensions within the community. Areas that once reflected a close relationship between daily life and heritage are gradually disappearing. By combining spatial data with local narratives, this study argues for a more community-based and territorial approach to conservation. It highlights how GIS and Remote Sensing can support more inclusive and socially aware heritage planning.