Abstract:

The cultural and natural values that the city possesses shape the identity of the city. To be formed of the city identity, it is necessary to maintain the continuity of these values and to protect the material and spiritual values that convey the messages of the city's past to the future. One of the most important elements reflecting the urban identity is the historical and architectural features of the city. In the past, the structure of the city, which was formed according to values of society and traditional life styles, has been constantly destroyed in the direction of new technological developments, rapid urbanization and population increase. Along with this destruction, the cities are become the same, the identity that  gives characters to the cities and that distinguishes  from the others is degenerated. Similar problems are experienced in the city of Kocaeli; The city, which is a historical past of 3000 years, is undergoing identity change with industry and internal migration. Whith this purpose; In order to be able to  find out it's identity and provide it's cultural continuity and communicate to the future of the values of Kapanca Street, which is one of the rare settlements in Kocaeli and  is an important place in the historical identity of Kocaeli and has a history more than a century and  protects its authenticity nowadays and where traces of local identity of Kocaeli can be traced, It is considered necessary to be registered. In this study, local identity of Kapanca Street was investigated in terms of natural, artificial, social environment and historical process. Thus, in order to make it possible to transfer the original historical texture of Kapanca Street to future generations, the values of the region and the changes it has undergone have been determined.

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