The Role of Cultural Heritage in Ecotourism Planning in Rural Areas: The Case of Isparta Sütçüler Beydilli Village

Abstract

There are still gaps in the legislation on the protection of rural areas in Turkey. Despite these gaps, rural settlements and the cultural heritage in these settlements are attracting attention with the increasing demand for places with high ecotourism potential, which has become more popular with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural areas, especially those with unused vernacular architectural elements, have been rehabilitated and made available for ecotourism use by local people and tourists. One such area is the (former) village of Beydilli in the Sütçüler district of Isparta province, Turkey. The people of the village have abandoned this area, which has a history of about 250 years, due to the lack of transport and other facilities, and only a few building owners visit the village for transhumance in the summer, but even these users use the houses as warehouses. In order to achieve this objective, the present study employed a range of methods, including on-site observation, laser measurement (surveying), utilisation of oral sources, texture analysis, typological comparison, and SWOT analysis. These methods were selected for their suitability for the protection of rural architecture in a context of ecotourism. In order to develop rural tourism in a manner that preserves the cultural heritage, a series of solution proposals have been developed under a number of different headings, including transportation, accessibility, the physical condition of buildings, socio-economic factors, and the tourism sector. In making decisions, consideration was given to the potential for ecotourism in the Sütçüler district, to which Beydili is connected. The principal objective of this research is to present the findings of the study, which focuses on cultural heritage and its conservation in order to ensure the sustainability of ecotourism planning in rural areas, with a specific case study of Beydilli Village in the Sütçüler District of Isparta. Furthermore, this study aims to highlight the significance of safeguarding cultural heritage, which constitutes a vital component of rural tourism in Turkey. Despite the existence of inadequate rural protection legislation, this study seeks to document the conservation status of Beydilli Village, which has not undergone any conservation work to date.

1. Introduction

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) defines ecotourism as ‘environmentally sound travel and visitation to relatively unspoilt natural areas to understand and enjoy the value of nature (past and present cultural richness), which benefits local people, ensures active socio-economic participation of the public, has low negative impacts on visitors and improves conservation’. According to this IUCN definition, ecotourism is travel and visitation that promotes enjoyment, understanding and protection of natural and cultural resources, has low levels of negative visitor impacts, provides socio-economic benefits to local people, and is environmentally responsible towards natural areas [1]. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as travel that protects the environment, cares for the welfare of local people and is sensitive to natural areas. Considering both the IUCN and TIES definitions, ecotourism refers to an approach to tourism that respects, protects and integrates natural and cultural values. The concept of ecotourism also includes the sense of social responsibility of the people of the region and requires them to act with this sense of responsibility. Although it is known that the concept of ecotourism, which aims to preserve the originality of nature, culture and the environment and pass it on to future generations, emerged in the 1980s, the 1992 Rio Conference is an important step in terms of the acceptance of this concept. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Conference), held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992, was an important step in the adoption of a set of principles for nations to adopt environmentally sound management practises. The conference set out criteria for a sustainable world and environment, summarised as developing methods to use the environment without damaging it and ensuring that all indigenous peoples benefit from tourism activities without destroying their cultures [2]. The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development declared 2002 the ‘International Year of Ecotourism’ and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Economic and Social Council, was given responsibility for this issue. At the World Ecotourism Summit in Quebec, Canada, in 2002, a common definition of ecotourism was established and adopted by all countries. According to this definition, ecotourism is ‘an approach that ensures the sustainability of the earth’s natural resources, supports the economic development of local people, while preserving and protecting their social and cultural integrity’ [2]. According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the components of ecotourism are contributing to the conservation of biodiversity, considering the welfare of local people, raising awareness and ensuring responsible behaviour towards tourism among tourists and local people, serving small tourist groups through small enterprises, low consumption of irreversible resources, local participation in tourism management, and developing business opportunities for local people [3]. Ecological tourism is considered as a whole of environmental, social and economic relationships, and ecotourism causes socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts in terms of the opportunities it provides to countries, regions and local people [4]. New employment and business opportunities created by ecotourism allow for economic and marketing development. In this way, the public and local government work together. In contrast to mass tourism, ecotourism tries to reduce the pressure on the natural environment by spreading tourism throughout the year and tries to pursue long-term economic interests by planning to prevent rather than correct destruction [5]. Ecotourism has given rise to many concepts such as rural tourism, cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, green tourism, alternative tourism, nature tourism, wildlife tourism, and adventure tourism. It is a type of tourism that is usually carried out in small groups, where accommodation and catering services are provided by small-scale operators and traditional accommodation structures are used. Ecotourism, which is an important tool for the socio-economic development of people living in these regions, provides welfare for people living in rural or urban peripheries and economically disadvantaged [3,6]. In addition, the increased need for individual spaces with the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for ecotourism types such as caravan tourism and camping in open spaces.

The World Tourism Ranking is published once a year by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO) by collecting data from countries. This barometer includes the number of regional and total international visitors, international tourism receipts, tourist expenditures in the destination country and the list of the most visited cities. According to the World Tourism Organisation’s report, which includes statistics for the 2023 season, Turkey ranks 6th among the most visited countries in the world.

1.1. Ecotourism in Turkey

In the fourth quarter of 2022, tourism revenues in Turkey exhibited a 22.2% increase, reaching 11 billion 374 million 206 thousand dollars. This figure represents the total revenue generated from October to December of that year when compared to the same period in the previous year. On an annual basis, the category of “sightseeing, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities” was the most prevalent, accounting for 67.1% of the total [7]. The World Travel and Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals Turkey’s travel and tourism GDP is forecasted to grow at an average rate of 5.5% annually over the next decade, more than twice the 2.5% growth rate of the country’s overall economy. The forecast from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) shows by 2032, the sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP could reach nearly TRY 1036 billion (US$117 billion), representing 11% of the total economy [8]. Turkey, which is surrounded by sea on three sides and has different climates, flora and topography, has a very rich potential in terms of historical, cultural and natural assets. Turkey’s natural assets mainly consist of national parks, nature reserves, protected areas, nature monuments, wildlife conservation and development areas, wildlife breeding stations, special environmental protection areas, nature parks, natural and archaeological sites, protected forests, seed and gene gardens, areas protected by international agreements (Ramsar sites), and natural sites [9,10]. Ecotourism is possible in four seasons, i.e., all year round. Under the heading of ecotourism, activities such as plateau tourism, bicycle tours, ornithological (bird watching) tourism, photo safaris, river sports (canoe rafting), agrotourism (farm tourism), botanical (plant study) tourism, horse trekking, camping-caravan tourism, cave tourism, mountain tourism and trekking are carried out. Turkey has a unique wealth of flora and fauna, especially endemic species, and the rate of endemism in Turkey’s flora is 34.4%. In addition, two of the three most important bird migration routes in the world (between the Western Palearctic and Africa) pass through Turkey. According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Protection and National Parks (2020), there are 44 national parks, 247 nature parks, 30 nature reserves, 116 nature monuments and 82 wildlife development areas in our country [10]. Within the 2023 objectives of the Ministry of Tourism, the “GAP Ecotourism Corridor”, which includes the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, is the target region in terms of biodiversity and priority development of ecotourism. One of the two longest hiking trails in Turkey, the ‘St Paul hiking trail’, is located in the Western Mediterranean region [4]. One of the richest regions in Turkey in terms of ecotourism diversity is the Western Mediterranean Region. Ecotourism activities in the region contribute to positive changes in the social, economic and spatial structure of the region [11].

The introduction of the concept of ecotourism in Turkey first appeared on the agenda in 1987 with the construction of a hotel in Dalyan-İztuzu. As the construction of the hotel would have harmed the Caretta Caretta sea turtles, which had chosen Iztuzu beach as their nesting site, ecologists reacted strongly, and the construction of the hotel was stopped. As a result, the Köyceğiz-Dalyan region was declared a ‘Special Environmental Protection Area’ [10]. It was officially recognised for the first time in the ‘Eighth Five-Year Development Plan’ (2001–2005) [10,12]. The ‘Ecotourism Association’ was established in Istanbul in 2002, and its name was changed to ‘Turkey Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Association’ in 2006 [10].

On 11–12 March 2004, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry organised a workshop on “Ecotourism in Protected Areas”. Within the framework of the ‘Turkey Tourism Strategy 2023’ prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2007), the Black Sea region was identified as a region to be developed in terms of ecotourism [10,12]. Furthermore, the reports and action plans prepared within this framework show that ecotourism, especially plateau tourism, is at the forefront. In this direction, a plateau corridor is to be established from the Georgian border to Samsun. In addition to the Black Sea region, targets such as starting daily tours and tours with accommodation in the plateaus near the coastal areas in the southern regions, establishing an ecotourism region in the lake region in the Central Anatolian region, and establishing Datça ecotourism city and İğneada ecotourism village have been stated [13] (p. 363). On 17–18 April 2017, the 4th European Ecotourism Conference was held in Safranbolu [10,12]. In the document titled ‘Turkey Tourism Strategy 2023’ prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2007), the main objectives regarding ecotourism are as follows [10,14]:

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Training of local people in the production of touristic products, souvenirs, service, quality and management of enterprises;

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Encouraging the opening of museum houses where ethnographic and ecological features are exhibited;

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Establishing reception points at the entrances to the area and providing tourists with maps showing the tour routes with the identification of different routes and stopover points showing local features is also a key aspect of this initiative;

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In addition, the identification of toilets, fountains, shelters, and distance and direction signs in the areas to be used within the scope of nature tourism is a crucial element of this project. Furthermore, the identification of GPS and satellites to determine the routes and the opening of new vehicle routes are also important aspects of this initiative [10].

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey has spearheaded the development of numerous initiatives with the objective of diversifying tourism products, alleviating the pressure on coastal areas due to mass tourism, and disseminating the socioeconomic benefits of tourism to less developed regions within the country [10,15]. A selection of these projects is outlined below [10,13,16]:

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The Plateau Tourism Project, in order to facilitate the integration of numerous regions into the tourism sector, is conducting a series of studies in 26 highland areas.

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The National Parks and Environmental Education Project was initiated with the objective of promoting environmental awareness and education. In 1999, the project was initiated with the objective of identifying the potential for ecotourism in Turkey.

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The Mountain-Nature Trekking Project is a further initiative in the field of ecotourism. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that tourists engage in ecotourism for a longer period of time.

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River Tourism Studies: The Antalya Manavgat Stream, Artvin Çoruh River, Artvin Altıparmak (Barhal) Stream, Rize Fırtına Stream, Antalya Köprüçay, İçel Anamur (Dragon) Stream, İçel Göksu River and Dalaman Stream are among the many rivers in Turkey that have been identified as suitable for tourism.

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Equestrian Trekking Project: The project is implemented in cities such as Gaziantep, Bayburt, Muğla, and others.

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Green Globe 21 Programme is designed to ensure the continuity of ecotourism by implementing measures for accommodation facilities.

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The Green Star Project was initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2006. In this context, institutions are awarded an Environmentally Friendly Organisation Certificate.

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The Blue Flag Project is a voluntary initiative that aims to encourage the responsible management of coastal environments. The project is ongoing, and its objective is to clean the seas and beaches. The project is regarded as the most significant initiative within the context of coastal and beach areas.

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The Mediterranean-Aegean Tourism Infrastructure Coastal Management (ATAK) Project is a significant initiative in the field of coastal management. The project encompasses the construction of environmental infrastructure in the areas of drinking water, sewerage networks, wastewater and treatment work, garbage collection and transportation in settlements that are orientated towards tourism and are situated between the provincial borders of Çanakkale and Balıkesir and those of Antalya and Mersin.

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The Belek Management Plan was initiated in 1996 with the support of the World Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Bank with the objective of protecting the cultural and natural richness of the Belek district of Antalya.

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The White Star Programme was initiated with the objective of reducing environmental pollution. The programme was initiated by Sealed Air and the Turkish Hoteliers Federation with the objective of reducing environmental pollution.

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The Green Key Programme has been implemented by the Turkish Environmental Education Foundation (TÜRÇEV) since 2011.

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The Ecodialogue Project encompasses the Fırtına Valley, Ayder Plateau and Kaçkar Mountains, with the objective of identifying business opportunities within the context of ecotourism.

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The GAP Ecotourism Corridor is a project that addresses the regions where ecotourism is to be developed primarily in terms of biodiversity.

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The Green Road Project is to establish a connection between the Black Sea plateau and other regions, thereby revitalising plateau tourism in the region.

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The Green Road Project is a 2600 km initiative that encompasses the cities of Artvin, Bayburt, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Ordu, Rize, Samsun and Trabzon [10].

1.2. Cultural Heritage Policy in Rural Areas and Evaluation for Ecotourism Purposes

There are many applications where the existing cultural heritage stock in rural areas is evaluated in the context of ecotourism. In rural settlements where the population is declining due to emigration, traditional architecture that is not being used can be used in the context of conservation, providing employment through tourism and contributing to the development of rural areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has defined cultural landscapes as “geographical areas that contain cultural-natural resources, including wildlife and domestic animals, that are the setting of a historical event and that have cultural-aesthetic values” and has drawn attention to the protection of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage structures, which are part of rural settlements, are assets that bear the traces of rural life and contain the spirit of the geography in which they are located and are the focus of attention for both local people and visitors from outside. For this reason, it is imperative to develop policies for the protection of cultural heritage in rural areas.

International policies for the protection of rural heritage began with the Venice Charter of 1964. In the 1975 Amsterdam Declaration, the concept is mentioned as ‘architectural heritage includes not only individual buildings and environments of high quality, but also all urban and rural areas with historical and cultural characteristics’ [17,18]. The European Architectural Charter of 1975 and the final declaration of the Symposium on the Protection of Small Historic Towns [19], the “Rural Architecture in Regional Planning” Symposium held in Granada in 1977 [20] and the 1989 “Recommendation on the Protection and Enhancement of the Value of Rural Architectural Heritage” emphasised the importance of the need to protect rural heritage. In 2001, activities for the protection of historic villages were organised in ICOMOS member countries [20] and the European Parliament’s 2006 “Decisions on the Protection of Natural, Architectural and Cultural Heritage in Rural and Island Regions of Europe” highlighted the cultural heritage in rural areas of Europe [21]. The report and set of recommendations entitled “Strategy for Rural Europe”, prepared by the European Union of Villages and Small Towns (ECOVAST) in 1994 and updated and resubmitted to the Council of Europe in 2006, aims to develop solutions to the problems of rural areas [22]. The aim of the report is to ‘identify, protect, repair and maintain rural architecture’.

International legal regulations pertaining to the subject matter in question exist in different countries. The most significant regulatory framework on this topic is that established by ICOMOS. At the 19th ICOMOS General Assembly, ICOMOS members proposed the “ICOMOS-IFLA Principles Concerning Rural Landscapes as Heritage.” The objective of these principles is to address the loss and adverse changes affecting rural landscapes, to recognise, protect and promote their rural heritage, and to ensure an appropriate balance between social, cultural and environmental elements [23]. The Italian Law No. 378/2003 and the Decree of the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities dated 06.10.2005, a series of measures were taken to conserve the farmhouses cultural heritage. The main conservation strategies currently in force in Puglia are the Regional Landscape Plan (TLP) and the Rural Development Program (RDP) and “promotion of in-depth cultural knowledge linked to historic rural buildings; social and economic revitalization of the rural heritage while respecting its cultural, landscape and historical values” to spread awareness of the historical and cultural value of rural heritage to future generations; to actively involve property owners and other stakeholders (e.g., economic operators in the agricultural and agri-food sector, tourist operators, etc.) in planning for rural areas based on common and common strategies; It is aimed to “encourage participation and raise broad awareness of the value of this heritage” [24]. The 5th Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Heritage of the Council of Europe (focusing on cultural heritage and the challenges of globalisation), held in Portorož (Slovenia) in April 2001, provided the opportunity to evaluate and evaluate the Council’s conservation work in rural areas. Forty-one countries that are members of the European Cultural Convention were represented at the conference. Heritage policies focused on awareness-raising and education to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between different communities [25]. In China, there are different regulations, laws and local regulations on the subject. Urban and Rural Planning Law (URPL) (2007), Regulations on Scenic Areas (2006), Regulations on the Conservation of Famous Historic and Cultural Cities, Towns, and Villages (RCFHCCTV) (2008), Regulations on the Conservation of Shanghai’s Historic Characteristic Areas and Outstanding Historic Buildings’38 (2003, amended in 2019), Regulations on Cultural Heritage Conservation in Shanghai’39 (2014), and Regulations on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shanghai’40 (2016) and other relevant regulations ensure the effective protection of Shanghai’s historical landscape and rural heritage [26]. The Valletta Principles (2011) encourage tourism action plans that prioritise existing living conditions by addressing rural tourism. According to these principles, historical areas should be supported by rural tourism and sustainable local practises [27]. The Florence Declaration (2012) emphasises the importance of protecting rural heritage not only for its cultural value but also for the contribution it provides [28].

Although there are many other laws that contain the term “rural”, it has not found a place in the legislation of our country. According to the latest version of the current Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage [29], which has been amended by Laws No. 3386 and 5226 [30,31], the term “rural area” is not included in the legislation. However, there are many examples of rural settlements in Turkey that have been implemented to protect the rural architectural heritage. For example, Yörük village (Safranbolu), Birgi (Ödemiş/İzmir), Şirince (Selçuk/İzmir), and Cumalıkızık (Bursa) are places where tourism is active and have been declared as protected areas. Safranbolu and Cumalıkızık are examples of traditional urban and rural architecture. The expansion and change in the scope of the concept of conservation have also changed the scope of conservation of rural architectural heritage. In addition, the cultural landscape surrounding the rural architectural heritage has also been included in this scope [21]. At the 14th General Assembly of ICOMOS in 2003, the Principles for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage were adopted [32]. In 2012 and 2013, the ICOMOS Turkey Declaration on the Protection of Architectural Heritage [33], which was finalised with the meetings of National Architectural Conservation Experts and the revision of the ICOMOS Turkey National Committee, states that cultural heritage is the symbol of the existence, identity and continuity of the cultural groups that make up society. The National Strategy for Rural Development, prepared by the State Planning Organisation of the Prime Ministry of the Republic of Turkey in 2006, recognises that rural development is a set of activities that ‘takes into account the protection and development of environmental and cultural values and takes into account locally differentiated social, cultural and economic characteristics, needs, potentials and dynamics’ [34].

Studies on this subject that include similar approaches, findings and methodologies should be mentioned. “Architectural Heritage Preservation for Rural Revitalization: A Typical Case of Traditional Village Retrofitting in China” which is studied by Kai Xie, Yin Zhang and Wenyang Han, Gaotunzi Village, a traditional ethnic village in the western high-altitude plateau, is an illustrative example; the typical green design manner and optimisation strategy are proposed for cultural and architectural heritage preservation [35]. In another study, he proposed the HUL method, which adopts the Historical Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, which emphasises the integration of rural heritage of traditional Chinese villages with daily life. A case study was conducted on the new conservation plan to protect the historical heritage and landscape of the rural Tangfang village, which is located in a region with a long history of traditional village life [36]. In the other study, a mixed-method analysis combining quantitative and qualitative research on cultural heritage concentrated in rural areas with participatory ethnographic observation and logical framework analysis (LFA) was employed. The case study was conducted in the Hărman commune in Brasov Region, Romania. The principal objective of the study is to demonstrate that the area in question possesses a significant cultural heritage, which could be harnessed more effectively in the future through the lens of cultural tourism, with a view to combining rural and cultural tourism. It has been proposed that cultural heritage can be harnessed to drive rural development and enhance local agendas concerning rural sustainable development through the promotion of cultural tourism [37].

While the relationship between rural areas and tourism was initially only in the form of providing inputs to the sector as a result of agricultural activities [38] (p. 547), it is observed that it has later expanded and shifted to agritourism (agritourism) practises in the form of accommodation in rural enterprises and use of farm facilities [39]. In the 1980s, agricultural shortages in the USA caused significant problems in the employment opportunities and economies of people living in rural areas, and the number of farmers decreased, many rural businesses closed, and the remaining ones started to seek income from non-agricultural activities [40] (p. 133). Rural tourism provides an option for the development of rural lifestyles by providing income flows from other regions to underdeveloped regions [41] (p. 382). Rural tourism has a positive impact on the income of family farms, provides local employment opportunities and promotes local businesses through the sales of restaurants and small shops [42] (p. 216). The European Union defines rural tourism as ‘all activities in rural areas’ [43]. Rural tourism is more easily harmonised with other types of tourism in terms of its integration with the social, natural environment and agriculture, which brings integration with the cultural charm of people living in rural areas against the threat of the culture of life that has begun to become uniform today.

Tourism is a phenomenon that is seen as a tool for the development and improvement of rural areas. However, while contributing to the development and sustainability of the settlement, it should be sensitive to preserving the original qualities of the texture and transferring them to the future. Rural tourism is “a type of tourism that takes place when people go to a rural settlement to rest in the natural environment and to be together with different cultures, to stay there and to observe or participate in activities specific to that region” [44]. Rural tourism is defined by the European Union as “a set of activities carried out in small settlements with small enterprises offering accommodation, food, drink and other services according to their expectations to tourists who wish to spend a pleasant time linked to agricultural or local values” [45]. Rural tourism, which is sustainable tourism, is integrated and intertwined with many types of tourism, such as nature tourism, nature heritage, farm tourism, natural area tourism, nature-based tourism, recreational tourism, green tourism, ecotourism, village tourism, mountain tourism and highland tourism. Depending on the characteristics of the place, the subtypes of tourism included in it reflect differences. The aim of rural tourism is for visitors to feel the spirit of the place, to live and experience its atmosphere, and to see and recognise local values. Rural tourism helps to preserve the traditional architectural texture as well as the natural beauty of the place. However, as with other types of tourism, it is important to remember that tourism is a tool, and it is vital to preserve the uniqueness of the place and the authenticity of the texture. The development of rural tourism contributes to the physical and vital sustainability of the place. In this context, improvement of services such as infrastructure, health and education; revitalisation of the economy by providing additional income to the local population; social development of the settlement; prevention of migration to the city; increasing the recognition and vitality of the settlement through local activities to be carried out and improving the quality of life can be realised [45].

2. Materials

The “button house” architecture found in the Western Mediterranean region of Turkey is found in the high mountainous regions of Antalya, which is called the “plateau”. Due to the physical structure of the topography, the button structures scattered in different places are remarkable in terms of construction technology and façade style. These structures, which are the subject of various academic studies, are located in districts and villages such as Akseki, İbradı [46], İlvat [47], Belenalan [48] and Bucakalan [49], as well as in rural areas where the structures are mostly located within the borders of Antalya province. In the (old) village of Beydilli in the Sütçüler district, which is outside the borders of Antalya province but has similar climatic and topographical characteristics to the highlands in the mountainous regions of Antalya, elements of the rural architectural heritage with similar architecture were also identified. The Beydilli houses, which are approximately 200 years old, are one of the most qualified examples of the relationship between rural heritage and ecotourism.

Sütçüler district, located in the south of Isparta province, is one of the 13 districts of Isparta, 101 km from Isparta city centre and 160 km from Antalya, and has a high and mountainous topography with a climatic transition between Isparta and Antalya (Figure 1). Sütçüler district is located at 37.5 degrees north latitude and 31 degrees east longitude, in the south of Isparta province. Situated in the lake region of the western Mediterranean, Sütçüler District borders Beyşehir District, Dedegöl Mountain and Seydişehir District in the east, Eğirdir District, Anamas Mountain, Yılanlı Plain (Plateau) and Kovada Lake in the north, Burdur, Bucak District, Aksu (Isparta Stream) and Antalya, Serik, Sanlı Plateau in the south. There are two rivers (Bridge and Aksu Stream) within the boundaries of the district. Although Sütçüler District is connected to Isparta, it has the characteristics of the geographical structure of both Isparta and Antalya due to its border with Antalya. This situation is also reflected in the flora and fauna. The cultural characteristics and way of life of Sütçüler, which is located in a forested and hilly region, have also been formed depending on the climate, topography, distance to water resources and other characteristics and have similarities with the Yoruk culture of Antalya.

The altitude of the Sütçüler district varies between 250 meters and 2500 meters. Both Sütçüler and its villages show a scattered settlement due to their location on a sloping and hilly terrain. The structure of the land has effectively shaped the population and settlement and many villages with low populations and neighbourhoods connected to these villages have been formed. Some villages consist of three or five houses in which only a few families live, with outbuildings such as barns and haystacks attached to the houses. Due to the physical and topographical structure of the area, many of the buildings are located at different heights and at great distances from each other. Due to the lack of flat land in Sütçüler, which is spread over large areas, and the fact that the existing flat land has a plateau appearance at high elevations, the construction has created a sparse texture [50].

The reasons for the formation of the settlement pattern of the Sütçüler countryside, which occurs in small compartments that are scattered and independent of each other, are as follows:

• The fact that the flat areas are few and separate due to the rugged topography of the country;
• The fact that the slope can change suddenly over short distances;
• The limited and scattered amount of land, meadows and pastures suitable for agriculture;
• Very large areas of forest;
• The desire of people to be close to their land or the need due to transport difficulties;
• Disorganisation of water resources;
• The desire for new sources of income (beekeeping, fishing, etc.);
• The land is not suitable for regular mass settlement;
• The settlement of the local population in families by maintaining the Yoruk culture (oba culture) [50,51].

In Sütçüler, there are 20 settlements with altitudes between 1000 and 1500 m (altitude above sea level). All the settlements have altitudes between 1000 and 1500 m. except Beydilli village, with the highest altitude settlement known as 1630 m [50]. The slope values also vary in these settlements. The slope is between 0 and 30% in rural settlements such as Ayvalıpınar, Bekirler, Beydilli, Darıbükü, Eski Beydilli, Kesme, Sarımehmetler, Kasımlar, Hacıaliler and Gümü and the forest areas surrounding these settlements [50].

The present settlement known as Beydilli/Beydili Village (Eco–Culture Village) was established by the people who migrated from the settlement known as Eski Beydilli due to transport problems. The subject of this study, Eski Beydilli, is 140 km from Isparta city centre, 45 km from Sütçüler district centre, 20 km from Kesme city, 45 km from Yazılı Canyon and 90 km from Köprülü Canyon. Beydilli Village is one of the symbols of Turkmen Yoruk culture, established in the southern part of the rocky slopes of Sarp Mountain in a way to obtain the best sunlight. Beydilli Village, known as “Beydilli” since 1928, but with a history of 200 years, is a village frequented by trekking and biking tourists with its houses made of natural stone and trees, cultural and natural beauties and accommodation in the past. The access to the village is very problematic because the mountain road is very steep, and the village has been reached by the same stabilised road since its foundation. While the roads are sometimes over 2000 metres above sea level, the land where the village is located is about 1250 metres above sea level. Beydilli Village was recognised as an Eco-Culture Village by the Isparta Governorate in 2006, and it was decided to restore 8 houses, one of which is the village mansion, to accommodate visitors to the village. The structures that the Mukhtar and the people of the village wanted to be restored were listed, and these structures were restored. Restoration projects for comprehensive restoration were not drawn up.

2.1. History of Sütçüler District

The history of the Sütçüler district, which has hosted many civilisations, is known to date back to 1800 BC according to excavations and studies. The region where Sütçüler is located was ruled by the Hittites (1800 BC-1200 BC), Alexander the Great (334-323 BC), Seleucids (323-188 BC), Pergamans (188 BC-183 BC), Cilicia (102 BC-49 BC), Romans and Byzantium (395 AD) [52,53,54,55]. When Sütçüler came under the sovereignty of the Anatolian Seljuk state in 1204, Turkish tribes belonging to the Kayı tribe of Oghuz and Yoruk settled in the region. These Turkmen tribes led a nomadic life between the Alanya-Manavgat region and the Sütçüler highlands [52,53,54,55,56]. The wide pastures of Sütçüler were suitable for animal husbandry and were used as summer houses. The region was occupied by Timurtaş, the Anatolian governor of the Ilkhanids, between 1324 and 1327, and was not included in the Hamitoğulları principality founded by Feleküddin Dündar Bey in 1301 until 1330. Sütçüler and its surroundings joined the Ottoman lands during the reign of Sultan Murad I. In the early periods of the Ottoman Empire, while it was a district of the Eğirdir district of Hamid Sanjak, it was later made an independent accident and connected to Isparta, where the Sanjak centre was located [52,53,54,55,56]. Yıva (Pavlu) is shown as a district (zeamet) in the 1478–1501 surveys, as an accident in the 1522 and 1568 surveys and as an accident in the Cihannum of Katip ÇELEBİ. In the second half of the 19th century (1867), it was again reduced to the status of a municipality. The name of the region was known as Yıva, Pavlı, Pavlu, İşba, Pavlikan and Bavlu after the Turkish conquest. In 1868, the centre of the district was called Bucak; in the first years of the Republic, it was called Bavullu; in 1926, it was called Cebel, which means mountain, due to its mountainous and rugged location and with the law numbered 3393, published in the Official Gazette on 28.05.1938 and numbered 3919, it was made a district with the proposal of the district centre and the decision of the Provincial Permanent Council. While it was a sub-district of Eğirdir, it received the status of a district and municipality consisting of 3 neighbourhoods and 25 villages [52,53,54,55,56].

2.2. Historical Buildings and Archaeological Sites

There are the archaeological sites of Adada, Kocaköy Asarı and Zorzila near Sağrak village, which belong to the period of the Pergamum Kingdom. The ancient city of Adada, which was discovered in 1888, is known to have existed in the 2nd century BC. The ancient city is 12 km from the district centre and 2 km from Sagrak Village. There is a paved ancient road, the Temple of Traianus, the Temple of Emperors, the Temple of Zeus Megistos Serapis and the Temple of Emperors and Aphrodite under the Yeniköy road. There is also a forum, basilica, acropolis fountain, administrative building, open-air meeting place, theatre and funerary monument. The island is located in the Pisidian region, between the Pisidia and Pamphilia regions. This ancient settlement experienced its heyday in the Hellenistic period, when temples, theatres, a monumental funerary structure, city walls, a necropolis, a Byzantine basilica, parliament buildings and amphitheatres were built. The period of the Roman Empire, especially the reigns of Emperors Trajan, Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, was the most brilliant period of Adada. The “King’s Road” from Adada to Alanya passed through here and still exists [52].

The ruins of Kocaköy, located on Asar Tepe to the south of Kesme town, are thought to have been founded in the Hellenistic period, although the exact date of its foundation is not known. The city is surrounded by a partially preserved city wall, and the most important building within the city is the temple, which has been completely destroyed. There are also cisterns and funerary monuments in the city. The ruins of the city of Zorzila, located on the slope of the mountain on the Sütçüler–Kasımlar road, belong to the Roman period and there is not much information about the city. Other cultural assets are the Taşkapı Ruins, Zorzila Ruins, Sığırlık Castle, Sefer Ağa Mosque (1184) and Çandır Bridge (Figure 2 and Figure 3) [52].

Sütçüler District has many natural resources as well as historical and archaeological structures. In some places, archaeology and nature are intertwined. In the Yazılı Canyon Nature Park, 10 km away from the district, there are Byzantine worship areas, altar sites and inscriptions on the walls of the canyon. Because of these inscriptions, the canyon is called Yazılı Canyon. The park, which is located within the boundaries of the village of Çandır, was registered as a nature park in 1989. The route of St. Paul from Perge to Antioch Pisidia to spread Christianity passes through it. The free human poem of Epictetus, who lived between 55 and 135 A.D., is in Yazılı Gorge. This road, which also passes through the town of Adada, is called the “King’s Road”. Kuz Cave, which is 4 km away from Kesme town, is located at Asar Tepe. The cave is 224 meters long and contains limestone from the Cretaceous period (Figure 3) [52].

Beydili Village, which has a 200-year history on the slope of Köprülü Canyon, is an eco-village frequented by trekking tourists with its houses made of natural stone and trees, cultural and natural assets [53].

After the Lycian Way, the St. Paul’s Way, which is the second longest marked international trek in Turkey, is carried out within the borders of Antalya and Isparta. The St. Paul’s Way, which has two different exits from Antalya Aksu Perge or Aspendos, ends in Yalvaç district after walking 100 km. within the borders of Antalya and merges at the ancient city of Adada in Sütçüler Sağrak village within the borders of Isparta. However, St. Paul’s Trails, known as the King’s Way, consists of the following 7 routes:

• Sütçüler–Tafkapı Ruins, Müezzinler Village, Kütü, Yazılı Canyon Nature Park, Çandır;
• Sütçüler–Gavurçayırı, Sağrak Village Pisidia Adada Ancient City;
• Sütçüler–Çobanisa Village, Çimenova Village, Beydili Eko, Köprülü Canyon, Çukurca Kesme;
• Sütçüler–Çobanisa, Çimenova, Beydili;
• Sütçüler–Sarımehmetler, Söğüt Plateau–Akçal Peak, Çandır–Yazılı Canyon, Müezzinler Sütçüler;
• Sütçüler–Sağrak village, Pisidia Adada, Zengi Plateau, Tota Mountain Forest Resting Place, Kasımlar, Suçatı, Aflağı Yaylabel, Ayvalıpınar, Sütçüler;
• Sütçüler–Hacı Ahmetler, Bağırsakdere Canyon, Karadiken Village, Kovada Lake (Figure 4) [54].

2.3. The Social Economic Situation

As in other mountainous and highland rural settlements in Anatolia, animal husbandry, beekeeping and forestry are more common in Sütçüler than other branches of the economy. Agriculture and fishing are also practised. Due to the physical conditions of the land, agriculture is less common and can be carried out on polye bases and flat areas of limited size with suitable soil and slope structure (Figure 5). While animal husbandry is mostly practised in villages with a smaller population and lower economic status, agriculture is practised in more densely populated areas. The “hair goat” is reared as livestock. Although this activity is said to be limited due to the damage to the region’s forests, goat rearing is still observed in and around the village of Beydilli, particularly at higher altitudes [55] (Figure 6). Animal husbandry is the most important occupation in the districts of Çıraklar, Mudarlar, Nuhyeri and Öbektaş, which are far from the centre. According to the livestock data of the Sütçüler district, there are 7815 cattle and 20,275 sheep [57]. In Beydilli village, there are 476 cattle and 3870 sheep and goats [58] (Figure 7). Beydilli village is the most beekeeping village in Sütçüler with 1400 hives. This number is followed by Kesme with 635 hives and Çandır with 380 hives. Highlands with thyme, various endemic plants and wildflowers are very favourable areas for beekeepers. Beekeepers move to these plateaus in the summer. Most of the local people (75%) live from dairy farming and yoghurt production.

Although there is not enough arable land due to the topographical structure of the country, peanuts, sesame, vegetables and fruits are grown in the villages of Çandır and Yeşilyurt. The sloping and hilly nature of the land prevents the accumulation of snowmelt and its use for agriculture. For this reason, irrigated agriculture is not very common. Apple and rose cultivation is carried out in Ayvalıpınar; vegetable and greenhouse cultivation in villages such as Çandır, Şehler, Melikler and Yeşilyurt; and cherry cultivation in Kasımlar town, İbişler, Güldallı and Darıbükü villages. A large part of the agricultural land (85%) is obtained from forest areas and is affected by erosion. Sütçüler thyme is an endemic species known as Sütçüler thyme (Origanium Minutiflorum) or Tota thyme in the world thyme market [54]. It grows naturally around Akçal Mountain, the Sanlı plateau, Kesme, Kasımlar and Beydili villages, plateaus and forested areas. In addition to thyme, herbs such as sage tea and grey shalba are also produced [50].

Fishing, another source of livelihood, started with fish farms and trout facilities and increased with the Karacaören Dam Lake. Akdut and mulberry molasses production is one of the important livelihoods of the Sütçüler district centre and contributes to the tourism of the district with the “Mulberry and Molasses Festival”. Forestry, or lumbering, which is one of the economic activities, is provided by larch, red pine, oak (pelite), juniper and macchia forests in the region. After the 1950s, forestry activities increased, the Cooperative for the Development of Forest Villages was established, and forest products were processed. It is known that carpet weaving and weaving were carried out in the Ottoman period and that there was a carpet loom in every house, as in other districts of Isparta. In 1951, a carpet-weaving cooperative was established in the centre of the district. Today, however, only the carpet weaving cooperative of Kesme town continues its activities.

2.4. The Climate

Two types of climate can be found in the district. Mediterranean climate and continental climate are dominant in the area, with an average annual temperature of 14.1 °C and an average total annual rainfall of 950.1 mm [50,59,60]. The Mediterranean climate prevails in the villages of Çandır, Sığırlık, Şeyhler and Melikler, while the continental climate prevails in the Köprüsu basin. While olive and violet trees and scrub vegetation are found in the region with a Mediterranean climate, there are more trees such as pine and oak in the regions where a continental climate is effective [55].

2.5. Tourism

One of the most important tourist routes in Anatolia passes through Sütçüler. This route consists of several routes. Each route has different landscapes. Birdwatching, red vulture watching, butterfly watching, endemic plant watching, trekking, orienteering, abseiling, mountaineering, jeep safari, water sports, paragliding, plateau, camping, caravan and hunting tourism can be performed. Various tourist trips are made in Tota, Çimenova, Söğüt, Kızılova, Gavurini, Kuyruktutan, Aliefendi, Zengi and Sanlı plateaus. The natural, historical and cultural values of the Sütçüler district are quite high. There are many historical buildings from ancient times to the present. There are various natural areas, from forests to lakes. These are Yazılı Canyon Nature Park (between Şütçüler–Çandır), Değirmendere (Yeşildere) Recreation Area, Tota Mountain Recreation Area, Kuz Cave (Kesme town), Köprüçay Canyon (between Kasımlar and Manavgat), Cave and Cisterns (Beydilli village), Sığla Forest Nature Reserve Cave (around Aşağı yaylabel village), Cave (Selimler Sarıtaş village), Insuyu underground water (Bekirağalar village), Cave (Selimler Sarıtaş village), Karacaören Dam (Çandır village), Küçüksu Trout Facilities (Yeşilyurt village) and İçmeler (Kasımlar village Tota locality). Recreational facilities have also been established in some natural areas. For example, Yeşildere Forest Resting Place, Tota Mountain Forest Resting Place, City Forest Promenade and Başkoz Resting Place are some of them. In addition, the contribution of wild horses, known as Yılkı horses, to ecotourism is undeniably high.

Historical and cultural assets that contribute to tourism are as follows: Adada Ancient City (Sağrak Village Zengi locality), Kocaköy (Pendelissos) Cutting Town, Kurşunlu Ruins (Kasımlar–Karadutlar locality), Seferağa Mosque (Sütçüler Centre), Asar Castle Ruins (Hacıaliler Village Çağıllıpınar locality), Sığırlık Castle Ruins (Yeşilyurt Village), the ruins of the city walls (Sütçüler Merkez Taşkapı locality), the inscription (Belen neighbourhood), the remains of the waterway (between Gürlevik–Tota–Zengi), Melikler Castle (Melikler village garden meckii), Sheikh Müslihittin Tomb (Şeyhler Tomb).

3. Methods

For the integrated assessment of the rural heritage and ecotourism components, which is the main objective of the study, field observation, laser measurement (surveying), oral sources, texture analysis, typological comparison and SWOT analysis were used.

3.1. Beydilli Village Organisational Analysis

Before analysing the texture structure of Beydilli village, the locations of the buildings were determined through field observation, photography and measurements and transferred to a CAD environment according to their coordinates. The creation of analysis maps entailed the processing of building information on the maps within the CAD environment, accompanied by in situ observation. The existence of 93 buildings within the boundaries of Beydilli Village was determined (Figure 8). Some of these buildings are in ruins, some have only the top cover, and some have the body walls destroyed or in the process of being destroyed. Due to the fact that the ruined buildings are in climatic conditions, vegetation has occurred as a whole with the natural flora of the land.

3.1.1. Topographical Analyses

The topography of the village has a decreasing altitude from west to east (the motorway from New Beydilli to Çukurca). The land of the village is at an altitude between 1200 and 1300 meters, descending from the highway route coming from the Sarp Mountain with an altitude of 2000 meters in the east direction. The stabilised road, which provides access to the village, runs along the west–east axis (Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11).

On the road to Çukurca, east of the village, there is a valley view with Köprü Stream flowing on the north–south axis. The southern border of Eski Beydilli and Çukurca is adjacent to the borders of Antalya province. The road is paved, single-lane and very narrow. The old St. Paul’s Road (King’s Road) comes from the north and joins the road east of the village (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6).

The topographical structure of Beydilli Village, which is on a sloping site, means that the houses do not prevent each other from benefiting from the sun and prevailing winds. Open terraces are orientated to the south to make the most of the climate. This is why the buildings are at different heights. (Figure 12 and Figure 13).

3.1.2. Analysis of Green Pattern

The land where the village is located is surrounded by forests, and in the areas close to the Antalya provincial border, scrubland vegetation is often observed. There are also endemic species of plants. Within the texture, the buildings are located between the scrub and the trees. In the courtyards, there is usually green grass and trees instead of hard ground. There are tree species such as larch, red pine, oak and juniper, as well as endemic vegetation such as lavender and thyme. In the settlement, where architecture and nature are seen as a whole, buildings and trees are intertwined (Figure 14).

3.1.3. Analysis of Organisational Functions

As Beydilli Village is a highland settlement, a large part of the pattern (72 units) consists of houses. 55 of these houses are located in the northern part of the village. Apart from these dwellings, the remains of 6 completely destroyed dwellings have been identified. However, this is as many as could be identified. Again, 17 outbuildings used for storage, such as stables or cellars, were identified, but it is thought that some of the ruined buildings may be outbuildings. In addition, a school, a mosque and a dwelling for the teacher who would come to the school were built when the settlement was settled, rather than remaining as a highland settlement in the summer brought by the nomadic culture over time. The mosque was built in the late period and has a small minaret in the style of a masjid. The school, built in the 1960s, is very dilapidated, and the dormitory is in danger of being demolished (Figure 15). As a result, 77.4% of the buildings are residential (72 units), 18.2% are outbuildings (17 units), 0.01% are schools (1 unit), 0.02% are lodgings (2 units) and 0.01% are mosques (1 unit), and there are 93 buildings in total (Figure 16). There are also 3 wells in the village. One is in the village square; one is opposite the school and the other is on the road leading to the houses to the north.

There are shepherds’ huts called “mountain kelif” in the area (Figure 17). However, there are no mountain kelifs in the settlement area. Mountain kelifs are stone shelters used by Beydilli herders at night to protect their animals. Mountain kelifs can be found in the pastures on the outskirts of the village and were used by the villagers in the past.

3.1.4. Building Height Analysis

The school and dormitory in Beydilli Village are single storey. The houses are generally two stories and vary from ground floor + basement to ground floor + first floor. While the lower floors were used as service units, the upper floors were used as residential units. While the lower floors were used as stables, service units, winter storage and cellars connected to the gizzard, the upper floors were designed as living spaces. The sofas of the houses with open outer sofas and two rooms open directly onto the courtyard (life) via a staircase or a few steps. The rooms are accessed from the sofas. Of the 93 buildings identified in the settlement, 6.5% (6 units) were single-storey and 93.5% (87 units) were two-storey (Figure 18).

3.1.5. Building Material and Structure Analysis

Due to the distance of Beydilli Village from other cities and the difficulty of transportation, the construction was carried out with local materials (stone, wood) from the area where the settlement is located. For this reason, all the houses and the lodging house were built of stone and wood. Different types of trees were used for the structural elements of the houses. Wooden posts were made from juniper trees, and purlins and rafters for the roof were made from cedar trees. The beams in the stone masonry structure protrude about 20–30 cm from the façade, reflecting the “buttoned house” façade and construction system typology of the Antalya highlands. While in some houses the stones were plastered with mud, in others they were left bare. The roof system is called “göçek” in the local dialect, and the tile coverings have disappeared over time, and only the wooden roof system has survived to the present day. It has a structure called “dry wall”, which is formed without using water and soil [53]. Only the school building (1960–1963) in the village was built with masonry technique using different materials such as stone or brick. Of the 93 buildings in the settlement, 0.2% (2 buildings) have a masonry structure with stone-brick-brick material, 30% (28 buildings) have a masonry structure with wooden beams and stone filling and 67.8% have a masonry structure with wooden beams and stone filling and are plastered (Figure 19). In other words, with the exception of 2 buildings in the texture, all of the remaining 91 buildings were built using traditional techniques. The construction technology similar to the “button house” typology found in the districts and villages of Antalya has preserved its originality to a large extent.

3.1.6. Features of Rural Architecture

As mentioned in the introduction, Beydilli has the architectural characteristics of the button houses in the northern regions of Antalya. It has similar material and technical features to the houses mentioned. However, Beydilli houses have a smaller volume than other button houses in the districts and villages of Akseki-İbradı-Manavgat and have a skeleton in a more random order. The socio-cultural data were effective in this situation.

Beydilli village in the Sütçüler district is a rural settlement with traditional houses, courtyards, a mosque, a school, fountains, squares, streets and traditional structures. Beydilli, which has different typological characteristics from traditional settlements in Isparta and districts such as Eğirdir, Yalvaç and İslamköy, has a unique rural settlement [62,63]. The area where the rural architecture is located in the traditional structure of Beydilli village has not been registered or declared as a protected area. Only the archaeological area around Beydilli village has been registered and protected.

Within the framework of this study, the architectural features of 21 traditional houses that could be entered and measured within the boundaries of the study area were analysed, sketched, and a photo album created. Site, plan and façade sketches were made. The drawings and photographs of the buildings were used to create an architectural typology.

The plans of the traditional houses, made up of units such as courtyard on the outside and sofa, gizzard and room on the inside, form different typologies with different spatial arrangements. The courtyards are used more actively than in traditional urban houses. The courtyard is both a living space and a working space, where activities such as animal husbandry and agriculture are carried out. Inside, each room where daily life takes place is the home of a family, and each sofa is a circulation area that connects these rooms and serves many functions. In some houses there are several storage rooms, which are also used as stables, depending on the economic activity of the area. According to their original function, 72 of the 93 buildings were designed as dwellings or lodgings, and only some of them are used as dwellings today. The others are used for storage or beekeeping.

3.2. Facade Typology Analysis

The facade elements of rural architecture in Anatolia, where Turkey is located, show diversity. Closed and open overhangs, bay windows, eaves, floor mouldings, doors, windows, grilles, chimneys, fireplaces, gargoyles, wall grilles and decorations made with different techniques and materials on the facade constitute the architectural character of the facades. However, the village of Old Beydilli is a rural settlement far from the central settlements of Anatolia and has remained different from the traditional architectural façade typology in urban centres. The front facade of these buildings, all of which have open sofas, is designed as a simple rectangular facade between two masonry stone body walls with wooden beam frames (Figure 20, Figure 21 and Figure 22). In the first phase, the open sofas with a wooden structure, reached by a wooden staircase that rises from the ground floor made of stone walls, attract attention. Then, you can see the doors and windows that open onto this room. On this facade, where the doors and windows are placed according to the number of rooms, the rooms are covered with a gabled roof.

The drawings created in this section include the typological analysis of the plans and sketch drawings created with the sketching and survey measurements taken during the on-site observation. In the study, hand drawings were checked with survey measurements and transferred to a CAD environment. Then, a typological analysis study was carried out by tabulation.

However, unlike the front and rear elevations, the side elevations have a stonework texture with 25–30 cm wooden beams extending from the deaf elevation to the gable roof (Figure 23). However, there are examples in some buildings where the staircase on the front façade comes from this façade. In the houses with side facades, such as the one below in Type-1, the wooden staircase reaches the upper hall from this facade, and window openings overlooking the entrance are given. In type 2, only a deaf body wall is designed with a stone wall texture with wooden beams (Figure 24). Both types have side elevations.

3.3. Plan Typology Analysis

The two-storey houses of the old Beydilli village have cellars, stables, storerooms and kitchens on the lower floors and a stone area under the living room on the upper floor that connects these rooms. On this floor there is a door and small windows belonging to the service rooms. The buildings are accessed from the organic street structure of the village. The courtyard formations were either destroyed over time or never designed. A barn, etc., has been constructed with a simple wooden structure. There are also latrines, etc., in the courtyards of some houses. The layout of the upper floors consists of rooms and sofas.

According to Sedat Hakkı Eldem [64], the dwellings that have survived in many traditional urban structures in Anatolia, or those that have disappeared over time but whose traces have survived to the present day, are divided into four different categories according to their plan types: “without sofas, with external sofas, with internal sofas and with central sofas”. This typology, based on the position and shape of the sofas in the plan scheme, cannot be applied to all plans in all regions. For example, in the village of Beydilli, in these houses with open and external sofas, used in hot climates, the rooms open onto the sofas, but they are designed as one, two or three rooms and vary according to the shape of the sofas (Figure 25). It can be seen that the hall is only added as a wooden structure on the façade, closed on two sides with a wall, and designed in various ways with three sides closed. Although this situation applies to the upper floors, similar typological formations can also be observed on the ground floors (Figure 26).

3.4. Spatial Details

In some of the houses with two or three rooms, it is noticeable that the distribution is not directly from the hall to the rooms, but mainly to the interval and from the interval space to the rooms. This is called the “aralık (opening)” section, which acts as a partition between the street and the living area at the entrance to the house. When you enter the area, you can see the surface of the wooden storage area between the two rooms with shelves (Figure 27).

Rooms are the places where daily activities take place. In the rooms, there are elements that belong to the traditional organisation of rooms in Turkish houses, such as the bathing cubicle, the load bed and the hearth. In some houses, however, these elements are missing. The wooden stairs, which provide vertical circulation between the stones and the sofa, consist of 70–80 cm wide and 15–16 cm high steps. The stairs are made entirely of wood, including the steps and the bannister.

There are storerooms called “cellars” or “warehouses” where wheat, legumes, etc. are stored in cubes, usually without windows or with very small windows. This is usually the coolest room in the house. It is usually on the ground floor. Stables are usually windowless, flat rooms. There are 60–80 cm wide troughs running along one or two walls of the barn. Stores for wood or haystacks are also included in the service units.

In the traditional houses of Beydilli village, most of the various architectural elements, such as doors, windows, fireplaces, cupboards and niches, which are valuable for their woodwork and decoration, have not survived to the present day (Figure 28 and Figure 29). However, it is possible to access them through the data of the buildings that can be entered during the fieldwork, the ruins and the old photographic archive.

Doors are designed with different finishes and care according to the location of the room. The doors used as courtyard doors are simpler, plain and undecorated. In some houses, the doors have simple and simple woodwork, while in others the detailing is more elaborate, and a unique appearance is achieved with metal connectors. All doors have single leaves. In addition to the door, in the parts included in the interval section, a door frame with woodwork was left (Figure 30). The aim of this section was to create a woman-man separation.

The windows have wooden frames, and these square windows have four panes and a single sash (Figure 31). Only a few houses have different types of windows from the first original period. The windows were later covered with a layer of wire called mosquito nets. Old photographs of some houses burnt down by fires have also revealed the presence of different types of windows (Figure 32).

There are stoves in the rooms or in the kitchens. Some of the stoves have cones; some have flat conical hoods (Figure 33 and Figure 34). In some rooms, the hearth and the niches and shelves next to it are all made of wood. These stoves were used for both cooking and heating in summer and winter (Figure 35).

Different types of craftsmanship can be found in elements such as wooden cupboards, yüklük, gusülhane and musandıra (Figure 36). The “yüklük”, where the quilts are stacked, and the “sandıklık”, where the dowry and the bride’s chest are placed (Figure 37). There is also a “gusülhane” where the bathroom is built. The gusülhane is located at the closest point to the exterior façade. When the bathrooms were built, the gusülhanes were converted into storage cupboards. Some of the cupboards have decorated niches in the middle.

3.5. Building Material and Structure Details

It has been noted that the timber-framed masonry construction system of the old Beydilli houses is similar to that of houses in regions such as Akseki, Ibradı and Ilvat. While in these regions the traditional button-house type skeleton system used more hewn timber, in the village of Beydilli the walls were built using more randomly selected beams with no woodwork. The details of this wooden skeleton, which serves both as a beam on the wall and as a staircase to ascend the wall, are shown in the pictures below (Figure 38). According to the findings of the field study, some of these beams have been lost between the plasters, while others were used to hang the tools, such as ladders, etc., of the gardeners. In some houses, traces of this construction system can also be seen in the interior (Figure 39).

The structural analysis of the houses of this region and this technique can be seen best in the work of Kemal Reha Kavas [46].

The ceilings of the service areas on the ground floors are crossed by wooden beams, and these beams are seen in a simple and bare form on the ceiling (Figure 40). However, timber cladding was used to cover the wooden roof structure on the upper floors. These 15–20 cm thick wooden panels were applied more regularly and without gaps than on the ground floors. While the Beydilli houses do not have ceiling cores as in other traditional houses of the western Mediterranean region, only one house has a star-shaped ceiling core (Figure 41).

As the sofas are the part of the house that opens up to the outside, welcoming both the household and guests, decorations are seen here in the wooden posts (Figure 42).

Beydilli houses have wooden floors that are 30–40 cm wide, and in some places 50 cm wide, depending on the original workmanship (Figure 43). These materials, which come from the trees of the region, are still able to withstand harsh climatic conditions despite being around 200–250 years old. Some of the wooden structural materials, exposed to rain and snow from the deteriorated roofs and open sofas, have been modified during the renovations carried out in later periods and replaced with 15–20 cm thick coating materials. The wooden flooring used in the sofas was continued on the stairs leading to the outside (Figure 44). Again, “ottomans”, wooden seats in the sofas, were designed and placed on the edges of the railings.

Both the interior and exterior architectural features of some of the traditional houses in the Old Beydilli Village Conservation Area have been studied, and the architectural typological situation has been revealed. These rural buildings, which are designed to face outwards, are integrated into the topography and even show an example of layering with the rocks and ancient fieldstones of the St Paul trail (Figure 45). These traditional houses, which are considered to be undecorated and simple when viewed from the outside, form a very unique rural architectural heritage texture in the highest altitude region of Sütçüler, which is a plateau region. They are among the most unique and rich examples of vernacular architecture, together with the stone walls located at the height differences on the terrain, the rocks on the terrain and the traces of the ancient period. The topography, which sometimes acts as a foundation or column for the body of the wall, has allowed the use of the existing road route in some places.

4. Conservation Problems and Discussion

It is necessary to identify the potentials and problems of an area in order to bring the urban structure into the future. While carrying out an urban analysis of the area, it is also necessary to identify the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats and to develop strategies to deal with them. The SWOT analysis developed by Learned, Christensen, Andrews and Guth, professors at Harvard University in the 1960s, can be used to exploit the strengths of the settlement texture in accordance with the opportunities and to develop a defence mechanism by taking measures against the threats by identifying the weaknesses. SWOT analyses were carried out to bring different historical textures into tourism, and strategies were developed based on the results. Hüseynik (Ulukent), a settlement area in Harput [65], Safranbolu Yörük Village [66], Isparta Atabey [67], İzmir, Bayındır [68], Bartın [69], Karaman, Ermenek [70], Bolu, Seben, Kozyaka Village [71], Nevşehir, Nar Town [72], Iran, Masuleh [73], rural cultural heritage was accepted as one of the determining factors in the evaluation of SWOT analysis for ecotourism purposes. In addition, the effectiveness of cultural elements for ecotourism purposes was investigated in Kırklareli Kofçaz District [74], Balıkesir, Erdek and its surroundings [75], Ödemiş [76]. SWOT analysis was also carried out in order to bring Beydilli Village into the future within the framework of ecotourism (

Table 1. Beydilli Village SWOT Analysis.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Beydilli History - Presence of 200-year-old traditional Beydilli houses. - The existence of ancient cities and structures such as Zorzela, Kurşunlu, Asar Castle, Sığırlık Castle and Kocaköy (Pendelissos) on the island. - The King’s Road passes through Beydilli. - Presence of historical buildings such as Seferaga. Mosque, Melikler Castle and Sheikh Müslihittin Tomb - Preservation of authenticity. - Presence of historical village school. - Presence of village fountains. Tourism - Coexistence of natural, cultural and historical heritage values. - Proximity to Yazılı and Koprulu Gorges. - Area suitable for plateau tourism (presence of plateaus such as Tota, Zengi). - Bicycle tourism and trekking (use of existing roads for these purposes). - Mountaineering tourism. - Promoting local structures and lifestyle to local tourists. - Mulberry and molasses festivals Natural resources (ecological values) - Coexistence of mountains and highlands. - Presence of the Köprü stream and the valley effect formed around this stream. - High-altitude area on the slopes of Sarp Mountain. - The village between the rocks. - The presence of vegetation such as forests and scrubland. - Cultivation of natural endemic plants (thyme, sage tea, grey sage...). Agriculture and livestock - High soil fertility. - Presence of biological diversity. - Presence of water resources. - Beydilli thyme is very productive and should be exported. - Meadows and pastures around the village. - The village has a livestock culture. - Beydilli honey is famous due to the widespread use of beekeeping. - Existence of wild horses (yearling horses).	Transport problems - Inability to provide healthy and comfortable access to the village. - As the village is located in a high-altitude area, it is far from the districts and villages on the borders of Isparta, Sütçüler and Antalya provinces. - The roads to the ancient sites are not very healthy. - Difficulties in obtaining services in various sectors due to transport difficulties. - Difficulties in supplying food, etc., to the village Accessibility problem. - Poor infrastructure such as electricity and water (inadequate infrastructure and superstructure). - Lack of sewerage system. - Lack of GSM base station. - Lack of Internet access. - Difficult access to energy resources. Structural challenges - Difficulty in achieving comfortable housing conditions due to the age and wear and tear of the dwellings. - Lack of use of traditional heating methods. - Lack of comprehensive and holistic conservation and restoration (only partial repairs). - Inadequate size of the spaces for today’s comfort conditions and activities. - Failure to rehabilitate courtyards and stables, which are the source of economic livelihood. Legal–administrative challenges - Non-registration of buildings. - Non-declaration as a protected area. - Failure to prepare the Conservation Zoning Plan. - Lack of funding for comprehensive and holistic urban conservation and rehabilitation. - Lack of funding for conservation and tourism (insufficient investment and financial support). Tourism issues - The fact that the inhabitants are not aware of the tourism potential of the natural, historical and cultural geography. - Lack of tourism-orientated activities. - Negative effects of winter conditions due to the high altitude.
Opportunities	Threats
- Due to the fact that Isparta is closer to Antalya than other settlements, it is located in the transition zone between Mediterranean and continental climates, and accordingly both climates are effective. - It attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists with the appearance of traditional historical houses with topography and vegetation. - There are many unused houses that can be used and functionalised for tourism. - Natural and cultural resources provide a qualified route for tourist routes such as trekking and cycling. - Tourism resources provide employment for local people.	- Risk of forest fires. - Migration of the population. - Labour shortage. - Risk of vegetation loss due to uncontrolled sheep farming - Weaknesses in control and security. - Diminishing water resources. - Lack of tourist accommodation due to inadequate comfort conditions. - Further deterioration of historic buildings in and around the village as tourism develops.

).

The SWOT analysis of the village of Eski Beydilli shows that the village has many strengths and opportunities. The village, which has various potentials and opportunities under the headings of historical, tourist, cultural and natural assets; agriculture and animal husbandry, also has weaknesses and threats. It is also noteworthy that various weaknesses of the village, such as transport, energy and legal administrative difficulties, can be developed and turned into strengths.

Among the strengths of the village of Beydilli, the most important is the superimposition of historical and cultural structures belonging to different periods, which have preserved their originality to a great extent, and the coexistence of these structures with natural resources. This land, where ecology and culture blend together, therefore, has many strong features. The protection of these natural, historical and cultural assets increases the importance of this potential. Tourism activities such as plateau trekking, cycling, mountaineering and the proximity of Köprülü and Yazılı Canyons, which are open to international tourism, are other important components of the strengths. In addition, biological diversity and the growth of natural endemic plants contribute to both the economy and natural construction. Agriculture and animal husbandry, which are traditional livelihoods that increase the attractiveness of all this local life for local and foreign tourists, are also among the strengths. The presence of large and small livestock, beekeeping and the availability of land suitable for agriculture all contribute to the village’s ecotourism. The popularity of Beydilli thyme and Beydilli honey is also well known in the region.

The main weakness of Beydilli Village is the difficulty of transport. The unhealthy roads to the village, the distance between the village and other settlements and the distance between the village and the ancient sites bring other problems. The transport problem has led to a lack of access to energy resources, inadequate infrastructure and superstructure, and a lack of services such as GSM and the Internet. Again, due to transport problems, inadequate conservation and restoration projects and practises, inadequate comfort conditions in the buildings, the buildings have been abandoned and remained neglected and unused. The yards and stables, which are a source of income through the use of traditional production techniques, are also quite unused. The lack of investment and financial support for all these conservation works results in the villagers’ inability to utilise the potential of the village and raise awareness.

Along with all these strengths and weaknesses of Beydilli Village, there are also opportunities and threats. The fact that there is a lot of data that can be used for tourism, that the climate, natural resources, historical and cultural assets can be used, and that it is located between the tourist cities of Antalya and Isparta are opportunities for ecotourism in the village. Depending on these opportunities, the increase in employment and income sources are other opportunity components. However, despite all these opportunities, threats such as migration, labour shortages, fire hazards, uncontrolled animal husbandry, insecurity, dwindling water resources and the deterioration of historical structures need to be addressed with long-term strategies.

In rural settlements, an economic order based on agriculture, cattle and sheep rearing, freshwater fishing, beekeeping and forestry work is maintained. The limited and scattered agricultural areas, as well as the scattered and limited grazing areas, have created an environment for a closed economic system in the region and have been effective in maintaining the subsistence-orientated structure of these occupations. The inability to obtain the desired benefits from these occupations and the difficulties of subsistence force the young population to migrate, and the rural population is decreasing day by day. The fact that the village of Old Beydilli is a 200-year-old historical rural settlement, despite all its potentials, is causing the structure to rapidly lose its originality and face the risk of extinction due to the inability to provide services easily due to transportation difficulties and migration. Due to the scattered settlement, low population and very low economic income level in rural Sütçüler, it is seen that migration to other places, especially to the centre of Isparta, is taking place. In addition, low transport standards, inadequate provision of services such as education and health are some of the problems faced by the local population. The decline of the young population due to migration has also affected agricultural activities.

The settlement has a very serious fire risk. In September 1961, 23 houses and 27 shops, including the municipal building, were burnt in a fire that broke out in the centre of the district. In accordance with the Disaster Law No. 7269, the houses were built according to the plan prepared by the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement and handed over to the disaster victims [56,61]. In 1967, the construction of the Municipal Service Building was started and completed in 1970. The municipality still provides its services in this building. In the summer of 2021, Sütçüler Çandır village was affected by the forest fires that occurred all over Turkey. About 15 houses were burnt down in the village [56,61].

5. Conclusions

Beydilli, which preserves its originality and integrity with its cultural landscape, rural architecture, archaeological sites, topography, climate, fauna and flora, has been designed taking into account its tangible and intangible cultural heritage, architectural features, traditional building technology and craftsmanship, construction techniques, topography and natural landscape. The historic rural structure of Beydilli, which has largely preserved its traditional architectural features, has remained much more untouched and original than other rural settlements. This area, which has many picturesque views, has remained unused for various reasons. Analyses have been carried out to protect and preserve Beydilli, which is increasingly threatened with extinction. An analysis of the state of conservation, function and use of the buildings examined in the study shows that most of them are neglected and in urgent need of restoration. It is also clear that a solution needs to be found for the use of the buildings. The causes of the conservation problems, such as neglect, abandonment and misuse, which threaten the traditional houses and structure of Beydilli, each of which is a cultural heritage, should be resolved and conservation work should be initiated.

In this study, emphasis was placed on the evaluation of the cultural heritage in order to develop ecotourism in rural areas; suggestions for use and conservation were made according to the results of the SWOT analysis of Beydili, and the plans, facades and architecture of the traditional houses of Beydili were studied in order to provide a basis for the conservation and restoration work expected to be carried out in the future. Typological analyses of the elements were carried out. These data on the traditional Beydilli structure and houses were also documented against the dangers of destruction and deterioration of the structures.

In a rural area such as Beydili, the tourism-orientated plans that were not previously in place have highlighted the need for the functionalisation of work that was not carried out in a manner that preserved and documented the local architectural heritage. Furthermore, the link between the local cultural milieu of the village and other pertinent data, such as the presence of high-level archaeological heritage in the surrounding area, has been reinforced. It was hypothesised that the geometry employed in this writing could be utilised for the development of intermittent architectural documentation studies for other rural settlements with a cultural environment.

The lack of legal scope specifically for rural areas in Turkey has resulted in the under-registration and under-protection of cultural and natural assets in rural areas. Furthermore, there is a dearth of comprehensive documentation and utilisation of protected assets through restoration. Investments have been made by the relevant ministries in rural settlements such as Safranbolu, Beypazarı, Şirince, and Cumalıkızık, which have a substantial corpus of cultural heritage, as they are larger and more central settlements, and these areas have been opened to tourism. However, in small villages such as Beydili, which are poorly connected by transportation, cultural assets are not even protected and are not registered. The results of the analysis of Beydilli indicate the urgent need to initiate all necessary conservation legal processes and to prepare a zoning plan for conservation purposes. This is essential to protect and preserve the cultural assets in the study area. In order to contribute to the protection of this settlement, a sustainable development plan should be prepared in conjunction with local agriculture and animal husbandry. Furthermore, a sustainable ecotourism plan should be developed in line with a holistic conservation plan.