Urban functions and urban land use in Erciş town

The town of Erciş, which has been the chief focus of our concern in terms of land use, is situated on the southern part of Erciş Plain which is within the borders of Van portion of East Anatolian Region. This plain has got a domain of 1 14 km2. Erciş is one of the biggest towns in Lake Van Basin. Due to the fascilities provided by the physical conditions in the town Erciş has become a settlement which plays a central role among the neighbouring settlements. It has got regular transportation fascilities. Since the town is situated on the junction of historical roads leading to the South, the West, the North as well as the Northeastern directions it benefitted from the advantages of transportation as much as possible and it came to a stage of rapid development as well as a safe haven for migrations. The average annual temperature in the town is 7.9°C and the rainfall is 458 mm. The most prominent river of the plain, on which the town is situated, is Zilan River. The first recorded place for settlement of the town is supposed to be Zernakitepe where one of the first cities of the grilled plan in the world had been situated by Urartians. The towns most probably transported to its southeastern fortress settlement in 12th century. But due to the increases in the levels of water in Lake Van, it was forced to change its place for settlement and was situated on its current terrain in 1 841. Having a populations of 2813 in 1927, the town has got a populations over 70000 and it has become one of the most prominent center of attraction in the region with an ever accelerating pace of development. Service functions have gained importance in Erciş for it is a viable market for the neighbouring settlements like Patnos, Muradiye and Adilcevaz towns in terms of commercial affairs as well as being center for governmental affairs on a level of "sub-regional center" within the borders of the plain.