KERKENES ECO-CENTER

      The first grant for the Kerkenes Eco-Center, awarded by the Australian Embassy (Fig. 20), enabled initiation of a planned program of activities during the 2002 summer months. The Yozgat Köy Hizmetleri, TEDAS and Türk Telekom provided additional assistance. To help overcome seasonal water shortages Dr Sevket Bagci kindly allowed the drilling of a borehole on his land. Programs that were launched included: (i) the reuse of grey-water and installation of a simple drip irrigation scheme, (ii) solid waste separation for composting and recycling and (iii) a study of alternative building materials for improved environmental performance of buildings (Fig. 21). Comparison between traditional building techniques and materials in the village and those used in the Iron Age city will be of interest.

      A parallel study of the 'Environmental Performance of Buildings', funded by a British Council Partnership grant between the Architectural Association (London) and the Department of Architecture, METU, provided an opportunity for student participation in activities related to the new Eco-Centre venture, including case studies in the village of Sahmuratli.

      It is intended that the Kerkenes Eco-Centre Project will initiate innovative ideas and practices, but that once firmly established the Eco-Centre would become self-supporting and run largely at a local level.

CELEBRATIONS

      The Kerkenes Project celebrated its 10th anniversary on the 3rd of August (Fig. 22). On this same occasion trees were planted to mark the first initiatives of the Kerkenes Eco-Center Project. Our guests were well received thanks to the contributions from the Ankara Hilton, Kamar Market and Kavmar AS. Osman Muratdagi, owner of the village minibus, assisted with transport and logistics (Fig. 23).

      The results from ten years of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm by the Kerkenes team, including that essential element of men employed from the village, speak for themselves.