INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE, URBAN MEMORY AND ADAPTIVE REUSE: THE CASE OF BATMAN, TÜRKIYE

Batman, once a small village in south-eastern Türkiye, was urbanised following the discovery of oil in the 1940s. The structures associated with the oil industry and related sectors that have survived are integral parts of the city's historical identity and collective memory. This study documents Batman's industrial heritage, assesses its potential for adaptive reuse from the perspectives of urban and spatial memory and develops concrete proposals. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining archival reviews, field observations (2024-2025), architectural potential analysis and oral history interviews with former industrial workers and local press representatives. Twelve industrial heritage sites related to oil production, railway transport and early Republican public buildings were identified, documented and classified according to conversion feasibility criteria. The vast majority of these structures are publicly owned and possess potential for reintegration into the city as museums, recreational areas and event venues. As one of the first comprehensive investigations into industrial heritage in South-Eastern Anatolia, this study fills a significant gap in the national literature and provides a practical reference for relevant institutions in Batman. Based on the findings, a conceptual model explaining the relationship between preservation, adaptive reuse and tourism is developed, and two industrial heritage routes are proposed to strengthen urban memory and enhance the visibility of heritage sites.