The Use of urban design guides in assessing urban identity: Kemeraltı example

Turkish cities are changing and getting similar day by day. It is a commonly accepted and saddening fact that cities, such as Ankara, İzmir, Kayseri, Bursa cannot be distinguished from each other. The main reason of this problem is the diversion and loss of characteristics of every single urban space and also the loss of common expression and harmony of entire cities. Those new settlements that are built independently with their own esthetic outlook and have no relation to traditional urban character of the city and finally lead to an unpleasant and ugly panoramic views. On the contrary, the visual harmony that is seen in our traditional habitats is generally accepted as urban site under conservation and is controlled according to the conservation plans, which define building conditions. Even it they are not declared as conservation zones, the general look of our cities should be in a complete harmony; like all musical instruments playing different notes, but composing a harmonized melody by an orchestra. It is obvious that such kind of harmonization can not be achieved in our cities, and despite all the differences they have (such as regional, topographical, and climate), cities are getting similar. It is clean that urban spaces and cities should have their own characteristics. In order to improve this characteristic and to catch the melody or harmonization, it is necessary to find out common denominators in their architecture and settlement style. The main purpose of design guides is to find out and define such denominators and to implement them legally in new buildings. Unfortunately, buildings in all our urban settlements, buildings are similar and maintain no character. In order to prevent this monotonousness and visual anarchy, it is necessary to show the original and historical identity of each city and to ensure that new projects are realized according to a defined identity.VI Urban design guides are very important abroad but unfortunately there are as yet no tools available to show the correct way to the citizens. On the contrary, in foreign countries, urban design guides or similar tools are widely and successfully used in many projects. The concern if this thesis is the formation of an urban design guide for the historic city center of İzmir-Kemeraltı, which is an urban site under conversation. It is perhaps the first attempt of it kind and will not only help understand the use of such design guides, but also aims to enhance the character of this precious heritage zone.