In the Cappadocia region of Türkiye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its distinctive fairy chimneys (a tall, thin rock formation that typically has a conical shape) and rock-hewn churches, an EU-supported initiative is creating a framework to protect cultural assets from climate change-induced hazards.
The project — Preparation of Risk Reduction Guide for Disasters Due to Climate Change in Cultural Heritage Sites of Türkiye and a Model Implementation — (a Technical Assistance for Disaster Risk Management- Track 1 project) aims to produce a national Risk Reduction Guide that integrates cultural heritage protection into disaster risk management and climate adaptation planning.
Work to date has focused on methodology development and capacity building rather than on-site interventions. Key preparatory actions include hazard and vulnerability mapping, institutional and legislative gap analysis, and the application of multi-criteria decision-making techniques to prioritise at-risk sites.
In parallel, technical specifications have also been formulated for advanced monitoring, modelling and conservation technologies, notably LiDAR(*)-based surveying and crack detection, which are expected to underpin forthcoming risk-reduction and preservation efforts. Complementary approaches, such as photogrammetry studies, have also been employed to enhance site documentation and analysis.
At the same time, Türkiye TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) is leading laboratory-based R&D for the development of tuff-compatible mortars. These formulations are being tested for mechanical strength, physical durability, and environmental compatibility to ensure suitability for conservation interventions
By integrating scientific tools with stakeholder-driven strategies, we are laying the groundwork for more resilient cultural heritage management — in Türkiye and beyond.
At the same time, Türkiye TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) is leading laboratory-based R&D for the development of tuff-compatible mortars. These formulations are being tested for mechanical strength, physical durability, and environmental compatibility to ensure suitability for conservation interventions. The integration of LiDAR-based monitoring, structural modelling, and material R&D will provide a scientifically validated framework for risk reduction and conservation of rock-hewn heritage in Cappadocia.
The pilot site, selected for both its cultural significance and vulnerability, has informed the design of structural and non-structural risk reduction measures — from stabilisation planning and erosion control to visitor management and digital monitoring. These recommendations are compiled in a plan intended for use by competent authorities.
Our methodology can serve as a model for other countries facing climate-related threats to heritage.
A participatory approach has been central to the process. Local institutions, site managers, academic experts, and national authorities contributed to workshops in Cappadocia and Ankara, shaping the project’s priorities and ensuring its relevance.
Although the guide is not yet officially adopted, it is designed to be scalable and adaptable, with the potential to inform national legislation. The strategy document proposes goals, actions, and policy recommendations for integrating cultural heritage protection into national DRR and climate adaptation frameworks.
The project offers methodologies applicable to other countries, including GIS-based hazard assessments, multi-criteria prioritisation, cross-sectoral engagement, and the development of digital decision-support tools. It also underlines the importance of institutional coordination, legal frameworks, and capacity development for safeguarding cultural heritage under climate-related and multi-hazard risks.
*a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances very precisely