Analyzing the Relationship Between Urban Identity and Urban Transformation Implementations in Historical Process: the Case of Isparta

Abstract

Urban identity is formed by the entire values and characteristics of a city. Urban transformation is the strategies and activities for maintaining environmental quality and life balance. The concepts of urban identity and urban transformation, which have been quite popular in Turkey recently, are the grounds of this study. The socio-cultural and economic conditions, which have changed as a result of globalization experienced all over the world, make it compulsory to re-shape cities, so urban identity concept has gradually become more important. The aim of this study is to reveal misidentification in Turkey caused by urban transformation implementations, particularly via the example of Isparta. As Isparta is a typical Anatolian city developed after the proclamation of the Republic, it was considered worthy of analysis. At, it was observed that Isparta had developed in terms of planning until 1960s. It was concluded that turning points had occurred in urban transformation between the years 1960-1980 and after 1980, these turning points spoiled urban identity, and therefore, the city has developed and globalized without any identity since then.