The place of city squares in urban morphology: The case of Kayseri Historical city (Cumhuriyet) square

As memory spaces, focal points and landmarks in the development processes of cities, city squares are important reference points in the morphological formation of cities. These squares are not only physical public spaces, but also bear the traces of the social life of that city. Historical city squares, which bear the traces of many civilizations throughout history and have survived to the present day, unfortunately face the risk of losing their historical character by being exposed to urban pressures due to rapid and unplanned urbanization processes. In this thesis study, it is aimed to provide a basis for the arrangement works to be carried out in this square in the future by revealing the importance of Kayseri historical city (Cumhuriyet) Square in the identity and morphological formation of the city in the historical process, its quality, the changes it has undergone and its current situation. Within the scope of the study, comprehensive data about Kayseri historical city square and its surroundings were collected through literature review and field studies, and these data were analyzed to reveal the historical texture of the square, its relations with its immediate surroundings and its connections within the city. The findings reveal the square's relationship with the historical and existing buildings, as well as its place in the urban fabric, thus providing a basic reference for sustainable urban conservation and planning studies. This thesis will set an example by providing information flow to studies and practices aimed at the preservation and evaluation of similar historical squares in Kayseri or other cities in the future.