The Geographical Features of Urban Identity in Denizli

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The urban settlements in which more than half of the world s population live have become increasingly similar in terms of the spatial and cultural features by the globalization process. Especially in developing countries which experiencing the demographic urbanization, such as in Turkey cities have emerged with similar characteristics to each other due to the accumulation of the population in urban areas in a short time. In this process, the distinctive features of the cities have become a current issue and the urban identity concept has emerged. In this study, the urban identity has been analyzed with a geographical point with the case study of Denizli city. The Urban identity will be read on the existing geographical potential of Denizli. In this sense, the elements determining the identity of the city are divided into different categories. Denizli Rooster and Pamukkale travertines make the natural elements of urban identity; whereas the ancient cities of Hierapolis-Laodicea and the textile sector are classified as human elements forming urban identity. In the study, the elements of the urban identity of Denizli have discussed with geographical perspective. In this context, by using its local geographical features, Denizli s attempt to exist in a regional and global scale is main research object of this study.

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Geography , urban identity , Denizli , geographical icons.

Aegean Geographical Journal

181

Aegean Geographical Journal