GIS as an Information and Decision-Support Tool for Sustainable Rural Heritage Management: The Case of Ankara

Abstract. Rural heritage places embody dynamic interactions between people and nature, shaped by traditional practices and adaptive responses over time. Despite their significance, rural areas are often overlooked in conservation and policy frameworks. This paper develops a GIS-based information and decision-support system for the comprehensive identification and assessment of rural heritage values, using Ankara’s rural landscapes as a case study. 
The study integrates extensive literature and archival research, detailed field surveys, and qualitative investigations to collect multiscalar, multi-disciplinary data. The RURANKARA•GIS database systematically organizes and analyses this data to identify the social, cultural, economic, and environmental resources vital for sustainable heritage management. A spatio-temporal analysis at the territorial scale mapped settlement patterns, land use changes, and socio-economic practices, while the town-scale application in Çamlıdere provided detailed assessments of character and risk areas. 
GIS technologies proved essential for managing heterogeneous data, enabling dynamic updates, spatial analyses, and clear visualizations, although limitations such as data gaps and the challenge of representing intangible heritage were acknowledged. The developed system not only supports academic research but also offers a strategic, operational tool for local governments and policymakers to guide sustainable rural development. 
Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of adopting holistic, multi-dimensional approaches in rural heritage management and provides a transparent, participatory model that bridges research, practice, and policy. The RURANKARA×GIS database contributes a replicable methodology for informing heritage-led rural development both within Ankara and in broader contexts.