Cultural Heritage Perception, Awareness and Pedestrian Density: A Case Study in İzmir

Ayça Uysal Üner; Ebru Cubukcu

Makale detayları

Cultural Heritage Perception, Awareness and Pedestrian Density: A Case Study in İzmir

Yazarlar:

Ayça Uysal Üner | Ebru Cubukcu

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kentsel Estetik | Kentsel Tasarım | Mimari Miras ve Koruma

Dergi:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.21-43

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

5/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348215

pISSN:

2822-4175

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Inspired by the well-known Turkish proverb Even if we dont visit or see it, that village is still ours, this study explored whether historical buildings in frequently visited and walkable areas are more widely recognized, or if it is possible to identify, appreciate, and preserve historically significant buildings without seeing or passing by them. Specifically, this study investigates the relationship between pedestrian density and cultural heritage perception and awareness in Izmirs historic district. Surveys were conducted with 138 residents to evaluate their knowledge of historical buildings from the Early Republican Period or their cultural heritage awareness and how they perceived the aesthetic quality of both the buildings and the streets where they are located. As a walkability indicator, pedestrian density around selected historical buildings was measured via objective and subjective methods. Unobtrusive observations, such as counting the number of people at specific locations during designated time intervals were used to evaluate the actual behaviour objective measure. Additionally, surveys were employed to understand peoples tendency to walk through the streets where these buildings are located reported behaviour  subjective measure. The results show that streets surrounding well-preserved and aesthetically prominent buildings are preferred more often by pedestrians; or vice a versa. Results also confirm that increased pedestrian density is associated with a greater awareness of cultural heritage sites. Furthermore, aesthetically appealing streets are considered more suitable for recreational walking. These findings highlight the value of walkable spaces in urban planning and cultural heritage conservation, as pedestrian experience can boost awareness of cultural heritage.

 Inspired by the well-known Turkish proverb Even if we dont visit or see it, that village is still ours, this study explored whether historical buildings in frequently visited and walkable areas are more widely recognized, or if it is possible to identify, appreciate, and preserve historically significant buildings without seeing or passing by them. Specifically, this study investigates the relationship between pedestrian density and cultural heritage perception and awareness in Izmirs historic district. Surveys were conducted with 138 residents to evaluate their knowledge of historical buildings from the Early Republican Period or their cultural heritage awareness and how they perceived the aesthetic quality of both the buildings and the streets where they are located. As a walkability indicator, pedestrian density around selected historical buildings was measured via objective and subjective methods. Unobtrusive observations, such as counting the number of people at specific locations during designated time intervals were used to evaluate the actual behaviour objective measure. Additionally, surveys were employed to understand peoples tendency to walk through the streets where these buildings are located reported behaviour  subjective measure. The results show that streets surrounding well-preserved and aesthetically prominent buildings are preferred more often by pedestrians; or vice a versa. Results also confirm that increased pedestrian density is associated with a greater awareness of cultural heritage sites. Furthermore, aesthetically appealing streets are considered more suitable for recreational walking. These findings highlight the value of walkable spaces in urban planning and cultural heritage conservation, as pedestrian experience can boost awareness of cultural heritage.

 Inspired by the well-known Turkish proverb Even if we dont visit or see it, that village is still ours, this study explored whether historical buildings in frequently visited and walkable areas are more widely recognized, or if it is possible to identify, appreciate, and preserve historically significant buildings without seeing or passing by them. Specifically, this study investigates the relationship between pedestrian density and cultural heritage perception and awareness in Izmirs historic district. Surveys were conducted with 138 residents to evaluate their knowledge of historical buildings from the Early Republican Period or their cultural heritage awareness and how they perceived the aesthetic quality of both the buildings and the streets where they are located. As a walkability indicator, pedestrian density around selected historical buildings was measured via objective and subjective methods. Unobtrusive observations, such as counting the number of people at specific locations during designated time intervals were used to evaluate the actual behaviour objective measure. Additionally, surveys were employed to understand peoples tendency to walk through the streets where these buildings are located reported behaviour  subjective measure. The results show that streets surrounding well-preserved and aesthetically prominent buildings are preferred more often by pedestrians; or vice a versa. Results also confirm that increased pedestrian density is associated with a greater awareness of cultural heritage sites. Furthermore, aesthetically appealing streets are considered more suitable for recreational walking. These findings highlight the value of walkable spaces in urban planning and cultural heritage conservation, as pedestrian experience can boost awareness of cultural heritage.

 Gezmesek de görmesek de o köy bizim köyümüzdür sözünden yola çıkarak, bu çalışmada sıkça ziyaret edilen ve yürünebilir alanlardaki tarihi yapılara ilişkin farkındalığımız daha mı yüksektir yoksa tarihi yapıların yanından geçmesek de görmesek de onların farkında olur, tanır, değerini bilir korur muyuz gibi sorulara cevap aranmıştır. Daha somut ifade etmek gerekirse; bu çalışmada İzmirin tarihi bölgesindeki tarihi yapıların ve yapıların yer aldığı sokakların kullanıcılar tarafından ne derece estetik bulunduğu ve ne derece fark edildiği ile bu sokakların yayalar tarafından ne derece tercih edildiği arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Seçilen tarihi binaların çevresindeki yaya yoğunluğunun yürünebilirliğin bir göstergesi olduğu varsayılmıştır. Tarihi yapıların çevresindeki yaya yoğunluğu ve yürünebilirlik hem nesnel hem öznel yöntemlerle ölçülmüştür. Gerçek yaya yoğunluğunu ölçmek için belirli yerlerden geçen insan sayısı belirli aralıklarda gözlem yoluyla ölçülmüştür. Ayrıca anketler aracılığı ile rapor edilen yaya yoğunluğu bilgisi elde edilmiştir. Bu tarihi yapıları Erken Cumhuriyet Dönemine ait kültürel mirasları ne kadar tanıdığı  bildiği ve ne derece estetik bulduğu ise 138 katılımcının dahil olduğu anketlerle değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, iyi korunmuş ve estetik açıdan öne çıkan binaların çevresindeki sokakların yayalar tarafından daha sık tercih edildiğini; diğer bir deyişle, artan yaya yoğunluğunun kültürel miras alanlarına yönelik farkındalık ile ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca, sonuçlar estetik açıdan çekici sokakların, rekreasyon amaçlı yürüyüşler için daha uygun bulunduğuna işaret etmektedir. Bu bulgular, yürünebilir alanların kentsel planlama ve kültürel mirasın korunmasındaki değerini vurgulamakta; yaya deneyiminin, kültürel miras farkındalığını artırabileceğini göstermektedir.

Makale detayları

Cultural Heritage Perception, Awareness and Pedestrian Density: A Case Study in İzmir

Yazarlar:

Ayça Uysal Üner | Ebru Cubukcu

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kentsel Estetik | Kentsel Tasarım | Mimari Miras ve Koruma

Dergi:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.21-43

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

5/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348215

pISSN:

2822-4175

Cultural Heritage Awareness

İzmir

Pedestrian Density

Walkability.Kültürel Miras Farkındalığı

İzmir

Yaya Yoğunluğu

Yürünebilirlik.

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Ayça Uysal Üner | Ebru Cubukcu

Yayıncı: Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar: Kentsel Estetik | Kentsel Tasarım | Mimari Miras ve Koruma

Dergi: Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.21-43

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 5/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001348215

pISSN: 2822-4175

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Ayça Uysal Üner | Ebru Cubukcu

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kentsel Estetik | Kentsel Tasarım | Mimari Miras ve Koruma

Dergi:

Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.21-43

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

5/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348215

pISSN:

2822-4175