ICONIC STRUCTURES IN THE CONTEXT OF URBAN IDENTITY AND BRANDING

Abstract

Urban identity includes the city’s geographical, economic, social, physical characteristics and the political structure which depends on; on the other hand, it is also an important concept to covering cultural and historical heritage and any future prospects for the city. Among the physical representations of urban identity, architectural structure becomes first. The historic buildings that have reached the present day, they mirror the past not only of the city but also of the people of the city and they provide hints to understand and interpret all the changes and developments that have been made. In this way, the relation of architecture and urban identity, gains a human dimension. Hence, acceptability of new buildings to be built; as much as the city's ancient physical heritage, its harmony with its cultural and historical heritage; by the fact that the people living in the city can address the spirituality. It is possible to follow the traces of this spirituality in the reactive approaches to contemporary interior and façade designs in the universal dimension, built without emulation of the past. However, when viewed from today's perspective, it is now clear that historical structures, which are now cultural treasures, have iconic qualities for their periods. In this study, cities that are changing due to globalization supporting multiculturalism, and the influence of modern architecture; besides their identities that are tried to gain international dimension will be discussed. In this process, the impact of branding on the urban economy and the various design examples from World is also involved in the study.