Discussion of the procedure of Mardin’s nomination for the world heritage list

Abstract

Mardin, being one of the cities that do not lose historical and cultural texture in Southeast Anatolia region in Turkey, and was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, is an openair museum that has hosted many civilizations such as Subari, Sumer, Akad, Babylon, Mausans, Assyrian, Persian, Byzantine, Seljuk, Artuqid and Ottoman since, though not definitely known, 4500 BC. Along with its archaeological and historical values, civil, military, and religious structures, authentic housing texture, street, neighborhood, market construct, structures and textures which make up its tangible cultural heritage, it is also a rare cultural landscape asset with its intangible cultural heritage of different and diverse religions, cultures, beliefs and ethnicities. Mardin, which is supposed to be defined as “Outstanding Universal Value” with its intercultural heritage, has to protect its entire assets in nomination process for the World Heritage List with great sensitivity. Today, however, there is a danger of degradation and loss of this heritage due to some factors such as immigration, irregular and distorted construction, developments against the urbanization and planning principles, false restorations, political reasons, lack of education and protection awareness. While presenting the values that Mardin has in order to take place in the World Heritage List, this study aims to raise awareness on detection of protection problems arising from the aforementioned factors, sustainability and transfer of the relevant tangible and intangible assets to the next generations as the common heritage of humanity, and to reveal the relevant procedure.