Perceptions of hometown association members regarding their impact on the formation of urban identity: The case of Sakarya

This study aims to investigate the impact of hometown associations on the formation of urban identity. Sakarya, a city that has received and continues to receive migrants from different geographical regions throughout history, was chosen as the study area. Sakarya has a diverse structure encompassing ethnic, cultural, and regional differences due to the migrations it has received. This multicultural structure is also reflected in the diversity of hometown associations. The population of this research consists of 6353 individuals who are members of hometown associations. In accordance with the research objective, 406 scales developed by the researcher were administered to members of hometown associations. The responses to the scales were analyzed using SPSS27 software. According to the analysis results, it was found that the participants' opinions regarding the influence of hometown associations on the formation of urban identity differed according to demographic variables, and it was concluded that hometown associations are influential in the formation of urban identity. Based on these results, it is recommended that support be sought from hometown associations in conducting studies to develop urban identity awareness, ensuring the preservation of aesthetic elements belonging to the city and the formation of a unique identity, and promoting the components of urban identity.