An Evaluation of the Kü?ük?ekmece Ottoman Match Factory as Industrial Heritage

摘要

Industrial heritage was included as a new genre when the definition of heritage was expanded in the second half of the 20th century. The concept of industrial heritage is used to interpret the material culture and activities of a society as reflections of industrial development and human spirit. It includes a wide range of sites from all points in history. The Kü?ük?ekmece Ottoman match factory is an industrial heritage site that exemplifies Ottoman participation in international industrial progress. It was founded by a French company in the second half of the 19th century, received its production license in 1893, and started to manufacture matches in 1897. The original function of the factory, however, was short-lived, lasting only until near the end of the century. Today, the building it is divided into sections with different uses. This article is an evaluation of an industrial heritage asset, Ottoman Match Factory and its significance in the cultural history of Turkey. Its location is particularly important, as part of an industrial area of the Ottoman period along the Marmara Coast, parallel to the Rumeli railway. This area is defined as an industrial-cultural axis in the cultural history of Turkey. Factory?s connection to its past determines its heritage values. This study analyzes its original use and provides an evaluation of the potential for the re-use of the building as a whole. In addition, it is a discussion of the importance of the cultural context of industrial heritage sites, using Kü?ük?ekmece match factory to highlight the need for a holistic approach to preservation.