Abstract:

The cities have gained an identity in their geographical, historical, cultural and functional characteristics from their establishment to the present day. The industrial revolution and globalization have had a negative impact on city identities, and cities have begun to lose their identifying identity characteristics. But the cities that have a rooted history, remain outside the globalization network and grow slowly, have continued to preserve their identity characteristics. Niksar, which forms the work area, also has a rooted history and natural geographical characteristics. The main objective of the study is to reveal what the elements that make up the city identity of Niksar, which has an important historical fabric, and how Niksar was perceived by those living in Niksar. For this purpose, 102 people were surveyed in the city centre of Niksar, and the logos of the official institutions and organizations located in Niksar were also examined. The results of the data obtained by the SPSS program are transmitted to the computer environment, and the results of the frequency analysis are interpreted. As a result of the field studies, it is seen that the main place symbolizing Niksar, which is called the "cultural city", is Niksar Castle. This is also stated in the logos of the official agencies. Niksar's natural environmental characteristics, which also has the characteristic of "agricultural city", are among the elements that determine its identity. In this context, the preservation of the identity of the cities is extremely important for the inhabitants to feel membership and to be pleased with the place that is lived. In the urban planning work to be done, the tissues that make up the city identity should be protected, the elements that make up the city identity should be taken into account while planning new roads and residential areas. Otherwise, it is inevitable that distant, ordinary places appear away from their identity.

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