Sustainability of Urban Identity of Riverside Settlements: The Case of Amasya and Kastamonu Cities

ARTICLE HISTORY Urban identity; physical, cultural, socio-economic, historical and formal factors of a settlement can be defined as all of the unique features of the place. In cities located on the waterfront, which is one of the components of natural identity, the settlement is shaped according to water and this contributes to the identity of the city. However, by intervening in rivers and surrounding settlements over time, its perception is changed and its architectural identity changes. In this context, it should be aimed to maintain the architectural identity of the riverfront and the surrounding settlements. In this study, the changes occurring in the coastal settlements of Amasya and Kastamonu, two cities established on the riverside, were examined comparatively. In the study, the changes they have undergone by examining and observing the riverside settlement have been determined by using the photographs in the archives. The reasons for the change of the riverside identity of the two cities have been investigated and suggestions for the master plan were presented. Received 02 / 08 / 2020 Accepted 05 /12 / 2020