Kayseri Historical Cumhuriyet Square from Past to Present

TRACTCity squares, which have significant effects on the formation of the morphological structure of cities, are not only physical spaces but also public spaces that carry the traces of the entire social, economic and cultural structure of cities from the past to the present. These public spaces, which have been used for different functions and purposes from ancient times to the present, hold an important place in the city identity and memory as a small example of the stratification of cities. However, in recent years, historical city squares, which have been exposed to urban pressures, have begun to lose their characteristics from the past and their place in the city identity and memory. The aim of this study is to reveal the transformation of Cumhuriyet Square, which dates back to the Roman Period and is located in the historical city center of Kayseri, within the zoning movements and urbanization process that began with the Republic Period. Literature and field studies were conducted for this purpose and aerial photographs of the historical Cumhuriyet Square from previous years were obtained from the General Command of Mapping. With the obtained data, the historical texture of Cumhuriyet Square, its immediate surroundings and its relationship with the city were periodically revealed in the context of both the interventions made with the city's zoning plans and the years in which the population and urbanization movements throughout the country were taken as basis. As a result of the studies, it was seen that many structures belonging to the past were demolished, historical continuity was not provided and traces of urban stratification were erased with the arrangements made in the historical Republic Square. This study will provide information flow for the arrangements to be made in the future in the historical Republic Square, which has an important place in the identity and memory of the city.