Spatial appropriation analysis through mental mapping method in the context of urban identity: The case of Edremit district, Van

This study examines the effects of rapidly changing housing typologies in recent years on spatial production practices, user experiences, and urban identity in Edremit, one of the historically rooted settlement areas of Van. The transformation of the traditional, low-density, and permeable housing fabric into increasingly walled, isolated, and standardized gated communities has led to profound changes not only in the physical environment but also in lifestyles, social relations, and cultural representations. Within the framework of the concept of spatial appropriation—which refers to the ways individuals claim, transform, and personalize their living environments—the research investigates users' bonds with their surroundings and their practices of boundary construction. Especially in new residential areas, the emergence of boundary structures turns space into more than a physical arrangement, transforming it into an ideological and segregating element that undermines urban identity. The main research question is as follows: "How do changing housing typologies in Van's Edremit district transform individuals' practices of spatial appropriation and their perceptions of urban identity?" Methodologically, the study employed a combination of mental mapping, in-depth interviews, and on-site observations. Data were collected from 20 participants across traditional and new residential areas and analyzed comparatively. The mental mapping method was used to reveal participants' spatial perceptions and their relationship with the city, interpreted within the framework of Lynch's theory of urban images. The findings demonstrate that spatial appropriation practices are shaped not only by the physical characteristics of housing but also by factors such as social status, cultural background, and environmental interaction. In conclusion, this study reveals that the urban transformation process in Edremit has reshaped individuals' sense of spatial belonging and their relationship with the city. While permeable boundaries and public encounter spaces in traditional settlements reinforce belonging, the impermeable high walls of gated communities restrict social interaction and weaken collective urban memory. In this regard, developing user-centered approaches that foster belonging is crucial for preserving urban identity in planning processes.