The Faundation, development and urban functions of Kadirli

II SUMMARY Thesis of High Master's Degree THE FAUNDATİON, DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN FUNCTIONS OF KADİRLİ Döndü ÜÇEÇAM The University of Fırat The Institute of Social Science The Deparment of Geography The city of Kadirli is located in the north of Osmaniye in Adana part of Mediterranien Region. The population of the city has never decreased since 1927, execpt between 1935 and 1940. While the population increased slowly between 1940 and 1965, quickly between 1965 and 1997, it has tend to decrease since 1997. The most important factors on the population are the migration from the villages to the city centre and from the city centre to the biggest cities in order to get better jobs and living standard. Kadirli has became a city having mainly a service sector as a result of the development of the variation of urban functions, especially in service sector after 1960. The location of Kadirli which is fairly convenient for urban and agricultural life, caused it to be the centre of many civilization in the history and since it is at the cross of the caravan routes caused it to be a commercial centre. With the increase in population, the urban functions have also developed. The urban identity will become stronger provided that more investments are done in industry in the city having mainly service sector. KEY WORDS: Kadirli, City, Function, Population, Location, Economy, Development, Service, Agriculture, Trade