Faculty members from the Near East University Faculty of Architecture, along with Onur Olguner, Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects, discussed contemporary approaches to the preservation of cultural heritage at an event.
The “Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Urban Development in Architecture” event organized by the Near East University Faculty of Architecture, addressed current issues in the field of architecture from the perspective of cultural heritage and sustainability. The event, which included the participation of Onur Olguner, Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Architects, was attended by numerous students from the architecture and interior architecture departments of the Near East University Faculty of Architecture.
The opening speeches were delivered by Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt and Onur Olguner. The meeting, which saw a large turnout, included discussions on “The Importance of Protecting Cultural Heritage”, “Green Infrastructure in the Context of Cultural Sustainability”, and “Community Space Use and Universal Design”. These topics were addressed from the perspectives of architecture and urban studies.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt: “Our cities are living archives. They carry the traces of who we are and who we aspire to be.”
Emphasizing that cities are not only physical spaces but also living structures carrying social memory, Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt said, “Our cities are living archives. Their streets, walls, and public spaces bear the traces of who we are, who we will be, and who we aspire to be.”
Stating that architecture is one of the fundamental carriers of this narrative, Prof. Dr. Kurt drew attention to the relation that architecture establishes with people and memory, saying, “As Charles Moore also pointed out, architecture speaks to the human soul through meaning and memory. Structures, over time, transform into symbols that connect us to space and culture.” Prof. Kurt stated that the relations established with the past requires a creative interpretation rather than imitation. Prof. Dr. Kurt, referring to Michael Graves’ approach, stated that honoring the past is not a nostalgic repetition, but a production process based on imagination. He noted that when cultural heritage is approached from this perspective, it becomes a vibrant force guiding contemporary architecture.
Onur Olguner: “Architecture brings with it the responsibility of understanding what exists, grasping its value, and making the right interventions to keep it alive.”
Drawing attention to the fact that architects are among the professional groups that should be at the forefront of the protection of historical and cultural heritage, Onur Olguner, President of the Cyprus Turkish Architects Chamber, stated that architecture is not merely about producing new buildings. Olguner said, “Architecture brings with it the responsibility of understanding what exists, grasping its value, and making the right interventions to keep it alive.” Stating that Cyprus is located in a geography extremely rich in cultural heritage, Olguner emphasized the important tasks falling on architects, saying, “You, my esteemed colleagues, as architects who will carry our cultural heritage into the future, are undertaking an important responsibility.”
Stating that academic activities are of great importance in developing this awareness and understanding, Olguner emphasized that cultural heritage should be at the heart of the architectural profession, saying, “The preservation of cultural heritage is not a topic that stands on the sidelines of architecture, it is an approach that should be at the very center of the profession. I wholeheartedly believe that architects trained with this awareness will protect the identity of our cities and build a sustainable future.”