Mapping Urban Development of Giresun's Historical Core and Surrounding Areas through Morphological Regions

KARADENİZ B., Aktas S.

JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY-COGRAFYA DERGISI, sa.51, ss.92-106, 2025 (ESCI)

Özet

This study employs a morphological perspective grounded in a historico-geographical approach to analyze the urban development process of the Giresun city center and its surrounding areas. Historical maps, urban plans, and written sources related to Giresun were evaluated within this framework. These data were integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify the city's morphological regions. The approach initially developed by M.R.G. Conzen examined changes and transformations in the physical form of the city, enabling detailed spatial inferences. The key morphological components, such as plot sizes, urban blocks, street networks, land use, and development periods, were analyzed using GIS-based datasets. As a result, formations up to the fourth morphological level were identified within the study area. The methodology employed in this research provides a foundation for developing an applicable model for historical urban settlement analysis that can be applied to various contexts. In terms of planning, the morphological regions identified here serve as a foundation for urban development strategies and planning decisions. The outcomes of this study aim to guide planning practices, ensuring that the city's growth aligns with its pre-existing urban layout and contributes to preserving its distinctive historical and morphological character.