Examining the seasonal variation of some plants and plant group in Düzce city open space and green areas on planting design perception

m ABSTRACT EXAMINING THE SEASONAL VARIATION OF SOME PLANTS AND PLANT GROUP IN DÜZCE CITY OPEN SPACE AND GREEN AREAS ON PLANTING DESIGN PERCEPTION ERO?LU, Engin Master of Science, Department of Landscape Architecture Advisor: Prof. Dr. Güniz AKINCI KESİM June 2004, 83 pages The seasonal variations effects the estetic value of plant compositions. It is extremely important for Landscape Architecture to determine these varations and expose the effects on people. The objective of this study is to determine the seasonal varations of plants througout the year with using plant and plants groups method in city of Düzce open and green areas and relate these changes to differentation in perception and psycolocigal effects on humans. In this study some plants and plants groups located in Düzce city open and green areas have been photographed and these photographs have been evaluated by The Delphi Method. The photographs that passes the elemination have been evaluated by The Semantical Differeantiality Method with an inquiry applied to differant student groups. As a result, the differences between the perception forms of the composition used have been determined. The composition taken in the summer season resulted in the highest design power and visual quality. This result is also related to the socio- economical profiles of the respondents. While the female participant found the summer composition is synthetic, the male participants agreed that summer compositions are natural.IV In addition, the photographs used in this study have been investigated for design suitability or unsuitibility and some suggestions have been made. Key Words: Plant, Seasonal Variation, Perception, Planting Design, Plant Composition.