An evaluation of urban open spaces in Historical City Center of Konya in the context of pedestrian mobility

Abstract

Cities are organisms that live in a balance of continuity with the structures they possess and the urban open spaces that connect them. For this organism, staying alive and healthy is possible if urban dwellers, who are the users, utilize the spaces in a manner that preserves their integrity and locate each space in mental perception. Research problem/aim; Squares, which are one of the urban open spaces, are the breathing centers of the city that play important roles in maintaining this integrity. This study aims to test the relation of squares and pedestrian movement for each square and for the whole historical city. Method; In the present study examining the squares and their relationships in the historical city center of Konya province, 7 squares that have a semantic relationship resulting from being located on a specific axis with one another were analyzed with respect to pedestrian use and the respective physical characteristics of the squares. The main criteria defined in the study constitute the 3 steps of the method. These were identified as function-diversity, accessibility-form and livability–identity. Analyses were conducted based on the 3 established criteria and the 7 sub-criteria that measure the relationships among these at certain levels. Each analysis constitutes a step of the method and enables to achieve a result by using different measurement techniques. In the context of the analyses and findings, qualitative and quantitative studies such as a questionnaire study, land use, dominant land use, function diversity, global and local accessibility, form and geometry, urban open space and symbolic elements analyses were conducted for each square. Findings, Conclusions; As a result of this study carried out with the aim of reinforcing urban continuity and enhancing the relationship among squares, the primary data for each square were obtained and suggestions were presented for eliminating the deficiencies. With the implementation of these suggestions, the holistic perception of the squares, which are focal points located within the historical city center, will be stronger and these squares will have more enhanced functional and semantic connections with one another. In this way, significant contributions will be made regarding the users’ getting to know the city center, the use of squares for different needs and the protection of the integrity of the historical city center with regard to cultural identity.