Urbani izziv Volume 35, No. 1, June 2024
                : 136-154
             
                 (Articles)
                 UDK: 712.2(911.373)(560)
                    doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2024-35-01-04
             
 
             
             
              
             Author
                Meltem Erdem Kaya
                      Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Archi tecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     erdemme@itu.edu.tr
                Hasan Serdar Kaya
                     Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architec ture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     hserdarkaya@gmail.com
                Fatih Terzi
                     Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architecture,  Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     terzifati@itu.edu.tr
                 Doğanay Tolunay
                     Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Forest ry, Department of Forest Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     dtolunay@iuc.edu.tr
                Elif Alkay
                     Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, De partment of Urban and Regional Planning, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     alkayel@itu.edu.tr
                Filiz Bektaş Balçık
                     Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engi neering, Department of Geomatics Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     bektasfi@itu.edu.tr
                Ezgi Güler Tozluoğlu
                     Planarkitekt P/MSA, Gothenburg, Vastra  Goteland, Sweden 
                     ezgigulerr@gmail.com
                S.Elif Serdar Yakut
                     Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architec ture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Istanbul, Turkey 
                     serdarsa@itu.edu.tr
              
             Title
              The landscape identity of rural settlements: Turkey’s Aegean Region
              
                 Abstract
                  This research presents a methodology for assessing the 
landscape identity of rural settlements. The methodology evaluates landscape identity parameters as descriptive 
units and analyses landscape identity according to natural, built, socioeconomic, and sociocultural parameters at 
various scales. Turkey’s Aegean Region was selected as a 
case study for the research because of its rich rural pattern 
created by the combination of diverse geomorphology, 
a unique rural architectural character, climatic conditions, the rural economy, and sociocultural structures. 
The research presents several findings related to physical 
landscape identity. In addition, it shows important aspects of rural settlements through the lens of landscape 
identity and highlights the importance of identity-based 
approaches for sustainable rural development.
                  
                 Key Words
                 landscape identity, rural settlements, rural  landscape, Turkey