The “Dispersed Hotel” as an Architectural Model in Mediterranean Rural Tourism: The Italian Experience and Proposals for Turkey

Abstract

In the Mediterranean, where tourism has developed, there are many traditional rural settlements which should be preserved because they reflect unique cultures. These settlements are destroyed because of population loss. Meanwhile rural tourism aroused and the interpretation of the rural settlements as cultural heritage became a debate. If implemented correctly rural tourism is a potential for preserving these settlements. Preservation through the introduction of new functions leads to sustainability and enterprises of universal value. The “dispersed hotel” model, which is observed in rural Italy, is successful in terms of economic growth through the preservation of traditional architecture. Instead of constructing new buildings, the existing traditional dwellings are restored in accordance with their original features and the functions, such as reception, restaurant, rooms etc. are dispersed into several dwellings. This study aims to analyze the “dispersed hotel” through examples abroad and develops proposals for the Mediterranean region of Turkey.

Keywords: Mediterranean, Architecture, Rural Tourism, Dispersed Hotel, Preservation, Traditional Dwelling.