Abstract:

With the emergence of urbanization, in parallel with the development of cities, urban squares have also started to come into existence. As a requirement of urbanization, the citizens have created so many meeting areas for the purposes of gathering and socializing in a common public space since the ancient times. These areas, which have been named differently throughout history, have started to be formed as public urban spaces that basically have the same functions and are shaped according to the political and social structure of the societies. These places, which started to be shaped as a physical space in the beginning, have turned into social life centers that enable the transfer and interaction of the traditions, values and ideas of the societies at the most prominent points of the cities and have gained the character of urban squares in time. As urban open spaces where citizens gather and socialize, squares undertake important functions in the establishment and maintenance of social relations in the context of various actions and activities, and in the establishment of solidarity, and in the development of urban identity and culture. Today, urban squares have either changed due to reasons such as rapid urbanization, population growth, construction, traffic and technology, or they have become a part of urban transportation systems and have started to gain the role of intersection. With the change of the functions of the squares in the urban space in this direction, their qualities and functionalities have disappeared and their public values have started to disappear. However, in protecting the spatial identity of cities, it is very important to protect the squares, which are the symbols of cities. Because urban squares are indispensable elements in terms of reflecting the historical knowledge, experiences and identity of a city. In this context in this study, it has been tried to reveal the effects on the spatial development and formation of the squares that come to the fore with the meanings they add to the urban identity in the cities of Europe and our country, and to examine the spatial shaping of the squares. By discussing similar and different aspects in the shaping of the squares examined in line with the results obtained, efforts have been made to make suggestions for the protection and maintenance of the spatial identity of the squares.

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