Spatial segregation of traditional buildings over a conservation site in Kastamonu

In recent years, cities have been in a rapid change in which differences arise, both among themselves and different quarters within each of them. These discrepancies, which are reflected in living spaces, create an explicit segregation, and an overwhelming challenges to the planning frame-work. This study aims to investigate the concept of spatial segregation in urban historic sites by eval-uating the structural changes through spatial analyses on a case city in Kastamonu, Turkey. This segregation will thus be investigated as to whether the conservation site boundary reflects the existing heritage characteristics by seeking the spatial features of the historic building stock which presents ra-ditional construction types. This specific data obtained from the Kastamonu Municipality was used to establish whether there is spatial segregation between neighbourhoods located within the borders of historical city centre of Kastamonu and the peripheral neighbourhood. The study organises the building types into two categorical data according to their construction systems, namely traditional and non-traditional construction materials, and analyses the differences and similarities between the neighbourhood within and outside the conservation site and its buffer zone. This analysis is imple-mented by the use of Location Quotient, Getis-Ord Gi* and Anselin Local Moran’s I methods. Analysis reveals that the existing conservation site boundaries do not reflect the spatial character, seamlessly. Areas that are accumulated with buildings, which have traditional construction materials more, are observed within buffer zones and its close periphery. In conclusion, the boundary of both urban conservation sites and the buffer zone can be spatially evaluated after this study and could later be vali-dated with a comprehensive heritage value in a detailed survey data for further study.