The Effect of Change in Urban Squares on Urban Identity: The Case of Konya

Change is an inevitable fact because of the structure of cities. This study aims to investigate the effect of this change - that urban squares undergo with the decisions changed in time and political and cultural identity that the city exhibits – on urban identity. It also proposes realizing the design principles of urban squares to become important urban identity elements. For this, the paper opted for a study including spatial reading and interviews with the citizens using the research field. The data were complemented by documentary analysis, including literature research related to research problem. The visual data were obtained from satellite images and archives of Konya Municipality. The analysis was conducted by realizing spatial readings on the change observed on visual data, and evaluated via interviews. According to the results of case study, it is determined that there can be positive and negative effects of the change on urban identity. The ongoing socio-cultural and socio-economic activities in urban squares form the social side of the urban identity. The other physical elements that urban squares have are in the scope of artificial environment urban identity components affecting urban identity. As part of the mentioned artificial environment identity components, the variety in the equipment elements with different physical features like focal points, symbols, boundaries, sitting elements, water features and top cover contributes to urban identity in catchy and impressive quality.