Academic Thesis-Ahmad

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN URBAN VITALITY AND SOCIOSPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS: CASE STUDY OF ANKARA METROPOLITAN AREA

(M. Sc. Thesis)

Ahmed Medhat Fouad Mohamed SAAFAN

GAZİ UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES

February 2023

ABSTRACT

Urban vitality is an important indicator of the success of urban areas, as it can lead to a higher quality of urban areas and satisfaction for residents. However, many socio-spatial issues, such as poor accessibility, urban sprawl, land speculation, lack of urban services, and safety issues, threaten human well-being and the vitality of urban areas. This thesis seeks to empirically identify the factors associated with urban vitality and provide recommendations for improving it in Ankara Metropolitan Area. The method of the study is based on correlation analyses and regression models that analyze the association between socio-spatial variables, such as sociodemographic characteristics, street configuration, density, and urban services with the density of food and catering businesses, which was used as an urban vitality indicator. The study found that variables such as population density, building intensity, chain markets, and sports and cultural facilities are positively associated with urban vitality, while large distances from metro stations and city centers are negatively associated. Furthermore, sociodemographic characteristics such as income levels, land prices, education levels, and population ages are significantly associated with urban vitality. The results also show that the overall level of vitality is higher in older urban areas and lower in sprawling suburban areas. The thesis' findings are useful for urban planners and policymakers as they build a bridge between vitality and socio-spatial characteristics in urban areas empirically and provide insights into important urban vitality factors, which can be used to develop policies to enhance the success and quality of urban areas.

Science Code : 80208

Key Words : Urban vitality, spatial regression, sociodemographic, land use mix, accessibility, street centrality, Ankara

Page Number : 101

Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Burcu H. ÖZÜDURU

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