EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND IDENTITY OF RURAL LANDSCAPE WITH MIND MAP METHOD

Abstract

Unique rural landscape identities of rural areas are under the threat of elimination due to the pressure of urbanization, legal-managerial changes, and tourism activities. This study aims to assess the relationship between perceptions of rural landscape identity with cultural landscape components by means of mind maps. At first, data on the subject and work field have been collected, and the Mind Map Evaluation Form has been created. The second stage of the study consists of land observations and application of the forms that has been created. Afterwards, the mind maps obtained from these groups have been resolved by collecting under five titles as Settlement Areas, Agricultural Areas, Historical and Archaeological Elements, Traditional Culture Elements and Transportation. 15 elements considered spatially significant have been defined on local people's maps while 14 elements are defined on the maps of visitors. At the final stage, answers to the questions such as Are there similarities or differences among mind maps of local people and visitors? and What is the impact of cultural landscape components in formation and transfer of the perception of rural identities in participants' minds? have been sought. Local people's spatial perception is found poor, and their sense of rural identity is found to be high. Visitors' spatial perceptions are limited by the trip route. It should be considered that perception of rural identity discussed in the study will contribute to sectoral developments and rural landscape planning efforts in rural development studies.