Population and urban development in Sandıklı

ABSTRACTPopulation and Urban Development in SandıklıDepartment of GeographyAfyon Kocatepe University, The Institute of Social SciencesMay 2006Advisor: Prof. Dr. Lütfi ÖZAVThe town of Sandıklı is located in the Inland Western Anatolia Section of theAegean Region. It was established at the intersection of diverse geomorphologic unitsand at the altitude of 1034 meters. Kumalar Mountain and the plain of Sandıklı whichare some of the geomorphological units in the region are the most important reason as towhy the town of Sandıklı was established where it is located today. Variousgeomorphological units are to be found around the town and its surrounding area. Thetown was developed at the alluvial landslide which is one of the geomorphological unitsin the area. The fact that the alluvial landslide is composed of loose ground and oneproportion of the plain is located at the 1st degree earthquke zone caused the town todevelop horizontally. Consequently, today?s development route is at the direction ofNorth-South.The town has a vey old historical bakground and gained a crucial importancedurign the rule of Seljuck.It was always an administrative centre both during the rule ofsekjuck and the Ottoman period and it also saves this character today. It could beregarded today as a city of ?general services? with respect to functional aspects. It isalso to be taken as a small-scaled town considering its population.The town area, due to its convenient location, is at the intersection of bothrailways and main roads. However, it did not appear to be a contributing factor to thedevelopment of the town and consequently the industry and the trade appears to havebeen developed inadequately after 1980s. Dependent upon this, the town hascontinuously been a migration giver in the past as opposed to the receiving side of themigration.The town of Sandıklı has a rich cultural potential. This potential is being usedthrough various actvities. Apart from the culturally rich potential, availability oftransportation facilities and geo-thermal energy resouces of the town increases itstouristic attraction. The very same geo-thermal resource is also being used to meet theheating demands of the dwellings in the town. The geo-thermal resort also appears to bean important element in shaping the thermal-health and touristic function of the town.