Spatial Dimension of the Local Phenomenon in Kayseri

Abstract

Kayseri is in the centre of Anatolia, at the intersection of trade and military routes, and possesses a rich cultural heritage. Throughout its history, the city has hosted various civilizations, developing around a central castle and continuing to expand, particularly after the 19th century. Kayseri has long served as a meeting point for diverse cultures. Within this diversity, families known as locals, whose origins date back to the oldest neighbourhoods within the city walls, have held significant mercantile power. These local families regard themselves as the actual owners of Kayseri and have influenced the city's developmental trajectory. Over time, they have moved outward from the centre to newly developed neighbourhoods, first to the north and then to the east. This study examines the urban development of Kayseri in the 20th century and the spatial mobility of these local families. It employs qualitative methods such as ethnographic observation, oral history interviews, and GIS-based thematic mapping to analyse these movements in a multi-layered way. The study also aims to understand Kayseri's socio-cultural dynamics and historical texture by investigating the role of local families in the city's physical and functional transformations. In this context, it addresses the physical and functional changes in neighbourhoods vacated by these relocations.