Perception of boundaries in public spaces: A case study of Antalya

Public space is a concept that changes and transforms over time. Although these transformations are generally aimed at the public benefit, the desired outcomes are not always achieved. One transformation central to this research topic is the rise of new gated communities within the urban context. Known as 'gated communities' in international literature, these complexes exemplify spatial seperation from public space through physical disconnections, grouping, and divisions within the urban fabric. Emerging from the desire to avoid crime, manage crowds, ensure safety, and provide privacy, these spatial constructs differ from organically developed urban spaces. The primary factor contributing to spatial seperations and reinforcing existing social dvides is the distinctiveness of boundaries within individuals' daiy environments. Through gates, walls, cameras, and security guards, private entities control these coundaries, raising concerns about the continuity of social cohesion. While boundaries can have a unifying and communicative effect that contributes to identitiy formation for those inside, they also create a divisive and exclusionary effect for those outside. Each bouandary contains further boundaries within it, intersecting with others. For instance, a neighborhood defines a limited area, while a residence defines an even more confined space. Detached and distinct living area develop both within and outside city limits. The physical boundaries surrounding these spaces address a perceived need for protection against potential dangers. The sense of being within a specific region's boundaries reveals how these spaces shape resident's identities and social relations. Public space is often seen as belonging to the state or private entities, yet it belongs to all individuals who use it and should be evaluated as such. Involvement in public space is a broad concept. Individuals engage with it to expand their private domain sor define intersections between private and public realms. Every intervention in public space not only transforms the space itself but also impacts social interactions. This study aims to examine the perception of boundaries created by interventions in public space, focusing on everyday life practices within the contexts of traditional settlements and gated communities. The interventions that form a sense of boundary are analyzed through boundary relations in the urban fabric and private-public spaces. The boundary perception generated by organic and artificial boundaries within the urban fabric is categorized and examined by scale, enrtance spaces and personalized public spaces in thi private-public realm. Under these themes, reflections of boundary perception in traditional settlements and gated communities managed by private entities are emphasized. In this context, elements creating a sense of boundary are examined in two case study areas with distinct characteristics through methods such as physical trace deterction, behavior assessment, and systematic observation analysis. Selecting two case study areas with different morphological characteristics is essential for understanding how permeable and rigid boundaries in settlements shape individuals' perception of boundaries in their everday lifes.