Spatial Identity And Reflection Of Communal Socialization On The Topic Of Shopping Areas in Turkey

Abstract

Public spaces like shopping areas are indispensable places for human. The buying and selling of goods played a very important role in the development of towns and cities (Dixon, 2005). Shopping places has been changed with modern movement. At the same time, these spaces embrace particular events that have collective social, historical and cultural associations; projections of these events influence the physical transformations, which can each be re-identified through time. One of the basic features of traditional shopping areas is the association between urban fabric and social structure (Birol, 2005). However, contemporary shopping places has been emerged as closed box independent from tissue of city which lost their spatial values. On the other hand, it is inevitable that nowadays, these enclosed centers are preferred for spending leisure times through the recreational, cultural and entertaining facilities offered in these places besides do shopping. Therefore, the communal socialization in shopping areas and the effects of social and cultural elements in change and re-identified of modern shopping places will be discussed as the main focus point of this thesis. In the first chapter of the study; the main purpose, scope, method and fundamental problem of the study are explained. In the second chapter of study; the notion of identity, cultural identity, type of place and the identity of place and urban identity are clarified. Third chapter of the study; reveal the historical development of public spaces and shopping places. The characteristics of contemporary shopping places are explained from three points of view: 1.Functional and Technical Needs 2. Aesthetic and Psychological Needs 3. Social and Cultural Needs In the fourth part of the study; communal socialization in the public spaces and shopping areas of Turkey (Ankara) have been assessed from Republic to present. The historical development of the communal socialization and public spaces of Ankara have been examined under four periods. 1.The Period of Republic of Turkey between 1923-1950 2. The Period between 1950-1980 3. The Period between 1980-2000 4. The Period after 2000 The periods are determined according to some important turning points of Turkey. In the fifth chapter; the communal socialization in Ankara shopping areas is evaluated through a field survey study based on Armada Shopping Center. The survey was conducted in December 2017 with a questionnaire on respondents of Armada Shopping Center users and visitors. Definition and scope of the field work, and the method and process of determining the sample size have been discussed. Results of the field study have been evaluated, analysis of survey data have been analyzed and evaluated by statistical methods, and hypotheses have been tested and the results of these hypotheses evaluation are further emphasized and summarized in this chapter. In the conclusion section of the study; according to the results obtained through data from the case study and the interpretation of hypotheses evaluation, the strategies which are needed to regenerate the contemporary shopping areas are discussed. With respect to communal social and cultural expectations updating the old enclosed shopping mall into a more actual type are suggested.