Özet:

As cities are undergone radical transformations in line with industrialization, globalization and technological advancements, and many places are beginning to look similar, issues of place identity now engage mainstream politicians, professionals and urban designers in many parts of the world. In this context, a thorough analysis of the concept of identity is needed and an understanding of the ways through which it can be achieved without reducing the concept to an aesthetic dressing possesses a great importance. Highlighting the importance of a holistic framework and examining various cities and places of strong identity, this study first focuses on the organizing elements which help create or enhance identifiable places, and postulates that the identification with places depends on the characteristics of social environment as well as physical dimensions. In this context, density, public realm including squares and streets, pattern of urban functions, building and public space relationships, districts and monuments are discussed as the elements for analyzing the urban identity, provided that “urban life” is focused rather than limiting the analysis and interpretations to the physical aspects of places.

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