Visual Landscape Analysis of Urban Open Spaces: A Case Study of the Coastline of Göcek Settlement, Muğla, Türkiye

Abstract

This article presents a visual analysis of the landscape characteristic of Göcek settlement, a Mediterranean coastal town affiliated to Muğla, located in the south-west of Turkey. The aim was to provide an identity for a contemporary coastal town by studying use of its public open spaces. The analysis had four parts: data collection, development of forms, fieldwork and finally evaluation and synthesis. In the fieldwork section of the study, the coastline, which is considered outstanding in terms of its tourism potential, was divided into seven sub-areas and each was analysed in terms of spatial, perceptual, sensory and social aspects and the level to which it met user expectations. In addition to the visual analyses, a questionnaire was conducted with 70 respondents concerning their accessibility to the area, period of stay, what they did, reasons why they preferred the study area and the elements that enhanced or reduced the visual quality of the area. The results of the visual analyses and questionnaires carried out in the seven sub-areas, showed that overall people’s perception of the public spaces were generally at a medium level on the scale used. So, within this context, the message was that the visual quality and liveability of Göcek, which aims to make progress in terms of tourism, have to be enhanced.