Etrafı çevrili yerleşimlerde mekan bağlılığı: Bilkent konut yerleşimlerinde bir alan çalışması

This study brings out an analytical framework to the issue of place attachment inrelation with the concepts such as place identity and environmental preferences innewly emerging communities in Turkey. With the increasing global influences,people tend to move away from the city centers to self controlled and privatizedsettlements with restricted access called `gated communities?. This research analyzesthe reasons behind this shift to understand the changing nature of place attachment.To this end, an empirical study at Bilkent Housing Settlements, which is located at arecently developed suburban area in Ankara - the capital of Turkey - was carried out.This site was chosen as being a high-income neighborhood that exhibits particularcharacteristics of gated communities. The results indicate that there is a significantrelationship between the attachment of people to Bilkent Settlements and theirsatisfaction from the social environment. On the other hand, the analyses revealedthat there was a relationship between attachment level and length of residency.Keywords: Place identity, place attachment, suburbanization, gated communities,Bilkent Housing Settlements.iii