Web map for cultural heritage sites aided geographical information systems (GIS) and interface design: Istanbul land walls case

The developments in technology affect many fields as well as spatial mapping. In most of the cases, interactive maps replaced conventional maps with the influence of web and geographical information systems. Interactive web maps that have significant potential for interpretation and presentation of heritage sites are not only a spatial and technological issue but also they are about design and cartography. The aim of the thesis is to design an interactive interface for interactive maps of heritage sites. Gestalt design principles are used in web mapping and interface design as leading principles. The area to be mapped is selected as the Istanbul Land Walls. The operation of the web map prepared for the site was evaluated together with the GIS tools and a webGIS application graphic design was obtained. Moreover, the multi-layered webGIS application is associated with deep mapping. Furthermore, using GIS, spatial and non-spatial data were evaluated altogether. The Gestalt principles leaded the formation of the order of the composition. These principles, together with the requirements of cartography, shaped the web map design. As a result, a GIS web map interface design for the Land Walls World Heritage Site was proposed.