The influence of the university on the transformation of urban identity: The example of Ordu central district

Universities are among the most important institutions that lead the development and shape the identity of the cities in which they are located. As an academic and intellectual center, they provide both capital and cultural diversity to the society. The demographic diversity brought by students and academics enriches the social fabric of the city, while the events and cultural programs offered by universities add dynamism to city life. In addition, universities' research activities and industry collaborations make significant contributions to the development of the local economy and strengthen the economic structure of the city. In this context, the impact of universities on city identity is not only academic, but also plays an important role in social, cultural and economic dimensions. In this framework, this study examines the changes that Ordu University, the first and only university in Ordu, has brought about in the city based on the urban experiences of city residents, representatives of public institutions and organizations, and shopkeepers. The theoretical and conceptual framework of the study is based on Henri Lefebvre's theory of the social production of space as well as research on the university-city relationship in Turkey. In the study, in which qualitative research method was used, the participants were determined by purposive sampling. In this context, a semi-structured interview form was applied to 20 city residents and tradesmen residing in Ordu, 18 public employees working in local government and 2 association presidents. When we look at the findings obtained, the economic and sociocultural effects emphasized in the literature on the university-city relationship were also obtained in this study. When the statements of the participants are evaluated, it is seen that after the establishment of the university in Ordu, social, cultural and economic diversity and richness have increased in the city as well as the developments in education. In particular, academic and student mobility to the city has positively changed the demographic structure of the city both qualitatively and quantitatively, while physically enabling the formation of different spatial areas in the city. At the same time, the study also emphasized that there are unmet expectations and problems that have not been eliminated at the point of inadequacy. In this respect, the study is thought to be a guide for policy makers in the context of university-city relations.