Examining the effects of popular culture on urban sustainability: The case of Gaziantep province

In Turkey, many cities have old neighborhoods that are valuable, crowded, popular, and attractive. However, in Gaziantep, the opposite is true as old neighborhoods are becoming less valuable. These neighborhoods were once preferred by well-established families and had high real estate value, but they can no longer maintain their worth. This situation could potentially harm urban sustainability in the long run. The aim of this study is to develop recommendations for new constructions and transformed areas and to raise awareness of the public, which has become a consumer society under the influence of popular cultureThe study includes a literature review and the selection of nine districts in Gaziantep that were the first to settle in the modern city center after leaving the traditional texture. Bahçelievler, Öğretmenevleri, Kavaklık, İncilipınar, Değirmiçem, Sarıgüllük, İbrahimli 1, İbrahimli 2, and Erikçe. The study utilized the scenario writing method and surveyed local residents and experts. Additionally, literature on popular culture, urban sustainability, and regions was reviewed. The previous and current conditions of the regions were photographed, and housing plan diagrams were created. The study involved surveying local residents to gather their opinions on urban sustainability. In the second stage, urban experts were surveyed using questions based on literature and a SWOT analysis of the region. The experts were presented with possible scenarios for the region and asked to select the one that would best promote urban sustainability and protect the area. The survey results were analyzed using the SPSS program. Based on the study, experts recommended student housing and dormitories for the first zone, health structures or housing for the second zone, designating the third zone as the social center of the city, and using the fourth zone as a recreational area.