A Perceptual Behavior Study on Spatial Orientation in Urban Fabric: Kadıköy Bazaar District

Urban fabrics, which can be morphologically defined as geometric compositions of solids and voids, are also unique patterns including different social and psychological layers depending on location, socio-cultural structure and user profile. The main backbone of these patterns is the network of open spaces, which individuals can move through different route possibilities. Movements and orientations of pedestrians diversify in accordance with their own goals and preferences, as well as alter with spatial perception and stimulation of attention processes. Basically, the stimulating factors of attention can be classified as morphological, functional and motional and also their intensities and impacts differentiate within or between urban fabrics. The purpose of this study is to investigate how various attributes of urban fabric influence pedestrian movements and orientations with physical and psychological aspects. In the scope of the study, the relationship between pedestrian movements and perceptual decision-making mechanisms has been examined in the grid-shaped bazaar district of Kadıköy, which is one of the most important urban sub-centres of Istanbul. Initially, physical and topological properties of the fabric / open space network were analyzed. Secondly, the densities of pedestrian movements were detected. Thirdly, the stimulating factors were represented as psycho-spatial layers and their relevance with pedestrian movements were investigated. Finally, a perception-orientation pilot study was performed with subjects without any spatial experience in Kadıköy to examine the possible individual-based variability of perception-behaviour process. Consequently, it was determined that there is a descriptive relationship between general movements and orientations of pedestrians and psycho-spatial layers; however, the perceptual decision-making process may alter individually with depending on the spatial experience.