Historico-geographical approach in the study of urban form: roots, development and reflections in the study of Mersin, Turkey

This study focuses on the emergence and development of historico-geographical approach that is systematized by M.R.G. Conzen in the mid-twentieth century through his studies of English cities. The background of historico-geographical approach was discussed in a detailed way. And the ideas of M.R.G. Conzen was examined in many early and recent studies. This study aims to identify the philosophical background of historico-geographical approach throughout its historical development and seeks to answer whether it would be appropriate to adopt the basic concepts and principles of investigation to the Turkish cities, with a focus on the city of Mersin. The research on the urban form of Mersin was uncovered before in elsewhere, but they were concentrated on the specific concepts and processes of historico-geographical approach. This study aims to reveal the comprehensive framework to investigate a city from a Conzenian view. The study on Mersin revealed that the urban growth pattern of the city brought about amalgamation of inner and middle fringe belts, and occurrence of an ‘umbrella fringe belt’, while dialectical interaction of morphological agents resulted in emergence of morphogenetic types in the interplay of building and plot patterns.