Research Information System
European Journal of Research on Education, vol.2, no.6, pp.186-197, 2014 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
A conscious individual cognates his/her vicinity or environment and builds up his/her cognitive skill of living in an urban environment. Environment, culture and the quality of life are very important factors in the development of the level of conscience and perception of the individuals that will form the conscious society. Besides, education also plays an important role in this respect. This study investigates the urban perception levels of architecture students at the beginning and at the end of urbanism course. To test this assumption, a survey questionnaire was conducted between 6th semester architectural students who took lectures on urbanism and urban environment. In addition, participants (92 students) were asked to draw a mental map of Trabzon. Mental maps drawn by two groups at the beginning and at the end of the course were compared. Afterwards, the maps were evaluated according to the urban characteristics based on Lynch approach and statistical analysis of the survey questionnaire were made. Survey results showed that consciousness and cognition of urban issues, urban nodes and urban landmarks between the just beginners having general knowledge about the city before and after they took urbanism course significantly increased. © 2014 European Journal of Research on Education by IASSR. Keywords: Consciousness, conscious individual, urban consciousness, cognition of city and urban elements