The evaluation of walkability in historical cities within the urbanization process: The case of Mardin

The change in the physical structures of cities and the reflection of this change on the city form occur over a long period of time. Historical cities and new residential areas formed around them enable researchers to examine the newly formed urban fabric in many ways by making comparisons about spatial and functional changes. The aim of this thesis is to reveal the relationship between the urbanization process in the historical environment and the changing urban texture with the phenomenon of 'walkability'. It is possible to experience the phases of the city over time through the streets in layers. Street patterns, accessibility, permeability, recreational opportunities, streetscape, social life are transforming in parallel with the change in the urban fabric. Within the scope of this thesis, these factors in the historical city reading of Mardin were discussed under the title of 'walkability' and the change in the settlement pattern was analyzed. As the study area, Şar District in Eski-Mardin and Yenişehir District in yeni-şehir were chosen. The methodology of the study consists of mapping of the study areas, personal observations in the field, space syntax, morphological analyzes, analysis and evaluations based on section reading techniques. In the light of the data obtained, the walkability potentials of the historical urban texture and today's urban texture in Mardin and the structures that support walking have been revealed. As a result, it has been observed that urban spaces are mostly used in old-Mardin and the criteria that most affect the use of the built environment in the context of walkability are analyzed as accessibility and then scale. With this study, it is aimed to provide the necessary conditions for Mardin to become a more walkable city and a high quality of life.