Abstract
Safranbolu, which was included in the UNESCO world heritage city list in 1994, has a multi-layered structure concerning its conservation process. The process can be evaluated under two main headings: natural and conscious. The first stage in Safranbolu conservation is developed naturally. In addition to the construction of the industrial zone, some regional, climatic, and cultural dynamics unique to Safranbolu affect the natural protection of the city. Intellectual efforts to create protectionist awareness of Safranbolu are the result of conscious protectionist activities. Awareness of the local government and the people of the region about protectionism through personal and intellectual struggle makes a great contribution to the activation of university cooperation and then to the process of Safranbolu's UNESCO World Heritage city. In this study, the effect of conservation awareness and behavior on Safranbolu's inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage city list is examined. Therefore, this study aims to reveal the importance of awareness-raising activities on protectionism in Safranbolu.