THE KERKENES ECO-CENTER
Soofia T. Elias-Ozkan and Françoise Summers

     The Kerkenes Eco-Center, a showcase for environmentally friendly, energy-sensitive and self-sufficient rural development, promotes renewable energy for a low-carbon economy and a sustainable future (Fig. 22). There are three interwoven approaches: (i) sustainable rural development through ŞAHDER, the Şahmuratlı Village Association; (ii) innovative design and installation of energy-efficient and appropriate technologies; (iii) awareness arousal through educational activities and public outreach. Progress was achieved in all three of these areas while the SGP project Improvement of the Solar Powered Devices and Branding Infrastructure in Yozgat, Sorgun was brought to a successful conclusion by Asuman Korkusuz.

Sustainable Rural Development
     Village ladies cater for groups of visitors who have the opportunity to see local organic gardens with drip irrigation, taste solar cooked meals and select small packets of dried mushrooms, onions or other products to take home.

Innovative Design and Appropriate Technologies
     Production of organic dried and cooked products was facilitated by additions to solar cookers and driers designed and produced by Güner Mutaf and his team. Most exciting is the new parabolic cooker with its solar-powered motor that turns the reflector to track the sun throughout the day without needing constant and tiresome manual adjustment (Fig. 23). Research and monitoring of Eco-Center activities by METU faculty and students progresses with increasing participation by villagers.

Educational Activities and Public Outreach
     University students and school children were given interactive tours that provided opportunities to introduce potential future leaders to the importance of cultural and natural heritage as well as environmental development in the early decades of the twentyfirst century. METU students enrolled in the elective course Architecture In Situ worked with appropriate and alternative building materials during 'Hands-on Building' sessions and helped organise the Kerkenes Festival and displays promoting the use of solar energy (Figs 23 to 25). Kerkenes products are well received and could be marketed once licensed.
     Several talks relating to environmental design and the Kerkenes Eco-Center were given in Turkey and beyond. In February, Soofia Elias-Ozkan lectured at the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP). During the fall semester, Francoise Summers presented the Kerkenes Eco-Center during the International Graduate Research Symposium on the Built Environment organized by the METU Building Science Graduate Program and was invited by South Dakota State University (USA) to contribute several talks during The Turkey Semester program.