Examining the morphological change of Aksaray city in the historical process according to upper-scale investment decisions

Abstract

As a result of both local and universal values that societies have created over the centuries, cities have been open to development and change. It is seen that the physical, social, cultural, economic and political factors that play a role in the change of cities affect the city in different ways in different periods. The study aimed to analyze the changes in the urban morphology of Aksaray according to upper-scale investment decisions. The research determined three investments that caused recent morphological development and change for Aksaray as breaking points. These are the opening of the Mercedes Factory in 1986, the establishment of Aksaray University in 2006, and the relocation of Aksaray Hospital in 2018. According to these three investment decisions, the morphological change of the city was investigated on an urban scale and periodically from an observer's perspective. Development plans and aerial photographs were used to reveal the periodic differences between these three investments that affect the morphological structure of the city. The morphological change in the city form in three different periods, 1986-2006, 2006-2018 and 2018-2024, was examined through the city perimeter and building blocks. The examination determined that with the increasing population in Aksaray, industry, health, education and management functions moved out of the city. From the opening of the Mercedes Truck Factory in 1986 to 2006, urban growth generally took place in the north-south direction. Although the city's orientation was towards the southwest after establishing Aksaray University in 2006, there was no intense interaction between the university and the city until 2018. Since 2018, with the New Hospital’s opening and the New Municipality’s construction, the city's influence area has completely shifted to the west. The city’s development is anticipated to continue in 2024 and beyond, depending on the newly constructed municipality service building.