Understanding the Historic Center by Using Network Analysis with Mental Mapping Method: The Case Study of Amasra, Turkey

Abstract

The history of the Amasra city center dates back 3000 years with its Fortress and City Walls, which are on the UNESCO temporary heritage list, and the important historical buildings around it. However, the ongoing controversy on Amasra’s conservation plan has revealed the difficulties of developing an approach that understands the historic fabric. In this context, the social relations of the urban images in Amasra, which is located on an archeological site and has an urban identity with its historical buildings, need to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to present an evaluation model that analyzes the network map of the places that create the urban image in the historic center of Amasra using visual methods. The urban images that form the historical identity in Amasra were mapped using the mental mapping method and developed using network analysis on the Graph Commons platform. The network analysis includes cluster and centrality metrics, which helps to understand social relationships in the network map according to its algorithm. The main focus area and central actors were explored with the simulation obtained by using this proposed model. The study results showed that the evaluation model is effective in understanding the formation mechanism of the historical center of the social networks between the architectural structures in Amasra. This study contributes to development in terms of enhancing historical identity and revitalizing the city images with tourism by evaluating the spatial structure of Amasra.

1. Introduction

The rising population and urbanization over time negatively affect the understanding of the importance of the historical areas that form the urban identity. The rapid transformation of urban spaces leads to the erasure of individuals’ past memories and the loss of a relationship with the place [1]. The connections between the past, present and future that can be established by the user of the space allow individuals to have a sense of “place” and “belonging” [2]. However, in the cities that are in a process of constant change, the images that reflect the unique architectural identity of the city begin to disappear from people’s minds. In this context, it is necessary to protect and preserve the traces from the past in the areas with a historical identity because what distinguishes cities from other cities are their historical structures that reflect the urban identity. It is important to understand the social relations network of the historical centers and conserve them. Therefore, there is a need to develop a network of relationships between the historical buildings in cities by investigating them with different methods and techniques.

For the sustainability of urban areas, it is necessary to understand, protect and revitalize historical and cultural heritage. Amasra, which has different historical periods, is a heritage site passed down from the past to the present through its historical buildings. It is stated that the history of Amasra dates back nearly 3000 years [3]. Amasra, which remained under the rule of Pontus for about 2000 years, experienced the Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, Ottoman and Republican periods after the conquest of the Roman Empire [4]. During the Roman period, ships were built to provide both security and trade in the Black Sea by taking advantage of the port and forests of Amasra [3]. Amasra is named after the Queen Amastris [5]. In addition to the ancient harbor, the Romans brought many important buildings to Amasra, which are still preserved today, and the long history of the city has resulted in almost all historical settlements being located on archeological sites [6]. The Amasra district, which has presented many civilizations, has first, second and third degree archeological protected areas [7]. Due to the limited topography of the area, successive civilizations caused the traces of the previous ones to disappear [8]. The Amasra Fortress, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, was included in the UNESCO World Temporary List in 2013 under the definition of the Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea [9]. In this context, Amasra, which has become an important trade center of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey, has been a settlement center with an important history. The protection and sustainability of settlements with historical and cultural heritage are issues adopted all over the world. Since Amasra is a nominee for the UNESCO list, the protection and planning of this area become even more important. The Amasra Fortress was registered as an Archeological and Natural Protected Area with the decrees of the Natural and Cultural Heritage Preservation Board in 1985 and 1990 [5]. Today, Amasra also has potential in tourism due to its archeological, historical and cultural values. There are nearly 80 registered historical monuments in Amasra, including the castle area, city walls, mosques, churches, baths, bridges, fountains, mansions, a bazaar area, museum mansions and archeological ruins [10].

In areas that have lost their historical identity, unplanned land development and neglect of these areas constitute the current problems of city centers. In this regard, studies have been carried out with the aim of understanding the historical heritage and preserving the cultural structure. Eldiasty et al. [11] investigated how the positioning of social activities in relation to local areas contributes to shaping the urban context of the city in the Rosetta historic center in Egypt, which was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. Filomena et al. [12] showed in their Boston study that the imaginary elements of the urban space can be calculated by GIS. Erkan and Yenen [13] examined how settlement was perceived in the historical city of Kastamonu using the metal mapping method. Ayob and Harun [14] examined the character of the urban squares in the historical cities in Malaysia and identified their contribution in shaping the city image. The literature research showed that studies on the evaluation of urban images in the historical areas are open to development.

Amasra has a developed urban landscape with its historical and cultural structure and many studies have been conducted in this context. Çorbacı [15] made landscape character analysis in the Amasra District by using the Geographic Information Systems and made recommendations for the area by identifying landscape policies and strategies. Sarı [16] examined the natural cultural values that are the source of Amasra’s tourism activities in light of survey studies and interviews. Cengiz et al. [17] examined the current situation of Amasra through a field study, SWOT and spatial analysis for the sustainability of the urban archeological heritage in the Amasra Fortress and its surroundings. Özdemir [18] made spatial analysis using the Netcad and ArcGIS and created a landscape management model for the sustainability of Amasra’s identity. Özman [19] examined the historical landscape character of Amasra and compared the photos shared by visitors on the internet with the cultural heritage sites by extracting them according to the QGIS and GPS locations. Tekdamar [20] analyzed the cultural landscape corridors of Amasra and made suggestions by using the Geographic Information Systems and the Remote Sensing Technologies for the sustainability of the historical and archeological heritage of Amasra. The studies on Amasra show that analyzing and developing components that reflect history is important for the sustainability of cities. The difference of this study from others is that it examines the historical urban images in the city of Amasra using different visual techniques such as the mental mapping method and network analysis on the Graph Commons platform. It is thought that this method can be an effective method in managing heritage areas in Amasra. The choice of Amasra as the study area was influenced by the fact that it has preserved many historical buildings from ancient times to the present, as it is one of the oldest settlements, such as the Amasra Castle and Walls settlements. And the fact that it is included in the UNESCO temporary list is also an important factor in the selection of the research area. The aim of this study is to present an evaluation model for the development and sustainability of the identity by revealing urban images reflecting the history in Amasra, which is located on an archeological site. Understanding urban images that reflect history provides the development and sustainability of urban identity. This research, evaluating the city images with mind maps for sustainable urban development, preservation of historical areas and revitalization of tourism, which constitutes the theory of this study, fills the gap in the literature with the method model it offers. Sustainable development contributes towards evaluation with a technological and methodological framework. Testing the historical area with technological methods will ensure more sustainable development of the urban system. In this context, this study clarifies the meaning of historical areas by evaluating urban images with a technological method model to provide sustainable development.

In this study, the historical and architectural values of Amasra, which has a long history, are reflected on the network map and their social relationships were analyzed. The meaning of the urban images reflecting the historical identity of Amasra in terms of social relations were examined. The following research questions were asked in search of meaning for social relations:

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Which spaces or buildings are the main focus areas and clusters in the historical center of Amasra?

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What are the architectural buildings that have a central actor or indirect links/influencers within these clusters that form the social interaction areas in Amasra?

The meaning of a place in terms of social relations, its relationship with its name and history can affect its imageability [21]. The city image is a reflection of the network of relationships between the historical components of the city in the minds of the residents and visitors. Therefore, if the relationships between the urban images in a historical area are strong, the meaning and memorability of the place will be more. Understanding the historical area and shaping it in the mind depends on establishing a network of relationships between the components of the city image. In this context, the hypothesis was based on the assumption that “The network of social relations of urban images in a historical area reflects the meaning of the place”. The elements that make up the urban image in an area are clustered by establishing relationships with each other. For this purpose, the first research question about the places or structures that are the main focal points and clusters through the network of relationships established by the historical buildings in the historical center of Amasra was inquired. First, the city image elements (edges, paths, landmarks, districts, nodes) that form the first stage of this study were analyzed. Then, the maps created for each image were developed, and maps of urban images of the whole area were created. Five basic components (edges, paths, landmarks, districts, nodes) were evaluated in visualizing and shaping the city in the mind. To understand the network of relationships between these components, the city image elements (edges, roads, signs, neighborhoods, nodes) that constitute the first phase of this study in the field were analyzed. Each city image element clusters by establishing a network with each other. The areas clustered in this network map provide the focal points. For this purpose, focal points were determined according to the clustering percentages in the network formed by the city images in Amasra, which was the first research question. In this network, some nodes are more centrally located than others. Depending on the number of connections received or given and their position in the network, the central actors or indirect connections are determined within the clusters formed by the city images in Amasra. According to this, for the second research question, the architectural structures that are the central actors or indirect connections within the network map that forms the city images in Amasra were identified.

This study supports the decision-making process in the preservation of historical sites by integrating the mental mapping method and network analysis. The analysis of the city images in the area was visualized with the mental mapping method and cluster analysis was used. This method is practical in learning people’s perceptions and images of their environment. It will help to preserve the identity of the historical areas, ensuring its development within an analytical framework. This method is also effective in understanding the spatial structure of the historical center and has not been used in historical areas or previous research on Amasra. The method in which network analysis and mental mapping are integrated improves conservation approaches in the evaluation of plans with historical and architectural value. The results will guide the preservation of the city’s architectural heritage and its use by tourists. In addition, this study contributes to the development and preservation of the urban identity of Amasra, dating back to ancient times. Understanding the social interaction mechanism of the area is essential for the preservation and sustainability of Amasra’s cultural heritage, including its historical buildings.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Urban Identity, Urban Image and Elements of the City Image

Urban identity is defined as the characteristics of a place that make it recognizable by a person as different from other places [22]. Urban identity is also defined as a concept that is formed with respect to a human interaction with the place and the person’s sense of belonging [23]. The concept of an image, expressed as a city image, is a mental picture, map or model of the physical environment [24]. The natural environmental features that constitute the urban identity enable a city to be distinguished from others. Therefore, perceiving, evaluating and protecting the natural environmental data of a city will be effective in the sustainability of the urban identity.

Urban image, which emerges with the development of urban identity, is the way in which the network of relations within the city and its spatial structure with other cities become visible in the minds of urban residents and visitors [25]. According to Rossi [26], the city itself is the collective memory of those who live there. All structural components specific to the city we live in sustain the collective memory as an urban image [27]. Public spaces that bring citizens together are very important in the formation of urban memory [6]. According to Karaçor [28], while the identity of a place is objective and related to the character of that place, the image is related to how this identity is perceived. Urban images in public spaces can be statues, monuments, squares and roads. On the other hand, it is crucial to distinguish three interrelated co-concepts: place identity, place image, and place reputation. These three concepts are interconnected but there are also fundamental differences between them that need to be considered in place management, which are defined as follows [29]:

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Place image: it is the perception of identity, encompassing both cognitive and evaluative dimensions, and its reflection on the individual’s consciousness,

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Place identity: it is understood as a set of elements and qualities that distinguish and characterize a particular region from others.

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Place reputation: it represents the highest level of generalization of regional perception.

Understanding their interrelationships is therefore crucial for effective place management, particularly for place branding, which must be based on a holistic approach and an understanding of the synergy within the triad of place identity, image, and reputation that forms its core.

Urban images in the movement areas where people interact socially enable the development of physical and visual relationships. In cities, historical buildings are located in public spaces in an open-air museum, creating an image of the city in people’s minds. In order for a city to continue its healthy development, memory elements must be well analyzed and preserved, and they must be in harmony with new urban programs and structures [30].

Kevin Lynch’s urban image theory is used to examine the city image. Five basic elements are evaluated in visualizing and shaping the city in the mind. Lynch [22] reveals that these elements must be interconnected. The fact that urban images are connected and perceptible affects the person’s use of the area. According to Lynch [24], city images are divided into five elements, which are edges, districts, paths, landmarks, and nodes:

• Paths: Paths are the areas of action that direct people. They are channels that develop relationships between spaces in the perception of the city.
• Edges: Edges serve as physical boundaries between two regions. These are defined areas that are not as important as roads, have a guiding nature and are generally between two areas. Walls, shores, and borders of the region in public spaces are examples of this.
• Districts: Districts are areas that have common characteristics, can be perceived internally and are used as external references. They are larger city elements than other image elements. They are places with a different texture within a city.
• Nodes: Nodes are intersection points. These are areas that attract attention, such as intersections, stops and squares, which are the passing points of the city.
• Landmarks: Landmarks are structures that symbolize the environment. They are reference points in wayfinding with different scales and physical elements within the city. These elements can be symbolized such as historical buildings, signboards, trees, equipment and hills.

2.2. Mental Mapping Method and Network Analysis

The mind mapping method was developed by Tony Buzan, a mathematician, brain researcher and psychologist, as a special note-taking technique in the 1970s [31]. Mind mapping has been defined as “a mnemonic technique in which the unstructured functions of the brain are used to more effectively record information in the mind” [32]. Social relations can be seen in mind maps. Space begins to gain meaning by mapping the connections and their relationships. Researchers state that mind maps can be useful in learning individuals’ perceptions and images of their environment [33]. Spatial analyses can be made by associating image elements with the mental mapping method. Lynch [21], who examined how cities are perceived in mental maps with city images, revealed that the correct connections of the city components are necessary for the read of the city and its formation in the mind. In this study, the city image is evaluated by mapping its five basic elements (edges, paths, districts, landmarks, nodes).

In this research, the cluster and centrality analyses were used in order to solve social relations with the mental mapping method. The Graph Commons platform uses network analysis to analyze data with visual methods, and network analyses include centrality and clustering metrics [34]. The central and indirect links and intensively used areas can be analyzed in this platform. Elements of the urban image in an area are clustered by creating connections with each other. Thus, a connection is formed between one image and another one. To perform clustering analysis, the elements that form the city image are entered into the Graph Commons as point data. The platform organizes a physically based simulation that solves the relationships between nodes. It uses the Lovain Modularity algorithm to detect tightly knit groups in high-density bonds [34]. It is stated that the Louvain method detects a single large community containing all nodes [35].

Social interaction areas are explored in the cluster analysis performed to analyze the mind map. The main focus areas and clusters in the historical center are determined by the mind mapping method. Clustering percentage indicates highly interconnected nodes or the main focus areas of a place among all uses. In the centrality analysis, there are degree centrality and betweenness centrality values. Central actors or influencers in this network can be found in centrality analysis. Degree centrality shows the number of connections a point has and indicates the point where the number of connections received and given is high. The betweenness centrality value shows the points that are important in terms of the status of users in the area. This value indicates the most central/important point connecting two separate clusters. An example cluster analysis is given in Figure 1. Since point X is at the most central point among all nodes, the betweenness centrality value is high. Y is the point with the highest degree of link centrality because it pulls and pushes the high connections.

3. Study Area

The district of Amasra in the Bartın province is located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. Amasra, one of the important trade centers of the Western Black Sea, has an important identity due to its natural beauties and historical texture. Many civilizations lived in Amasra. Amasra has the characteristics of a port city, as well as its historical and archeological architecture. The reasons for choosing the study area are that it has historical, natural, cultural and archeological characteristics and it is a port area in the Western Black Sea Region. The presence of the Genoese Trade Route, including settlements of the Amasra Fortress and City Wall, and its inclusion in the UNESCO temporary list also increase the importance of the research area. Amasra is 10 miles away from the Bartın province. The Amasra district is located on 41°44′42 N latitude and 32°23′12 E longitude. The current state of Amasra is seen in Figure 2.

Amasra is located on a sloping topography. It is placed on a small plain at the foot of the steep slopes of the Black Sea coastal mountains, formed by the merger of four of the five small islands over time, and on the hills and foothills that are the continuation of this plain. The districts of Amasra, Ulus, Center and Kurucaşile are in Bartın. Amasra includes the neighborhoods of Boztepe, Kaleiçi and Kum. The study area is given in Figure 3.

4. Methodology

In the first stage of this study, the history of Amasra was investigated and a literature review on the subject was conducted. In the second stage of this study, Kevin Lynch’s [21] elements of the city image (paths, edges, districts, nodes, landmarks) were examined. Additionally, the cluster analysis and mental mapping method literature were examined.

In the third stage of this study, the buildings that form the historical identity of Amasra were identified through field studies, photographs and observations, and city image maps were created. Urban image maps of Amasra were created on 1/2000 scale base maps of the study area. After that, spatial data were analyzed from these maps. Photoshop CS6 and AutoCAD 2020 were used in the plan of the Amasra city image maps. Historical buildings that form the urban images of the area were created based on observation, field study, photographs and literature research. Network analysis was performed by using the mental mapping method to create the city images that have the highest contribution to the space in Amasra. It aimed to reveal the social relationship of urban images in Amasra. Urban image elements and their social relationships were analyzed on the Graph Commons platform. Each city image element in the area was added into the platform as point data and they were connected through the road network. Thus, a network map was created in this platform. Then, centrality and clustering analysis was performed on the network map. The central and indirect links with intensive use were analyzed in the network map. To evaluate the centrality analysis, the degree of centrality and betweenness centrality value were evaluated. Degree of centrality indicates that it has high connectivity and has a high contribution or use value to the area. Betweenness centrality indicates that the highly interconnected node, and therefore the degree of importance, is high.

In the fourth stage of this study, all data and maps were evaluated and the meaning of the city images for Amasra was interpreted. The relationship between the historical buildings in the area and the meaning of the social relations of urban images was discussed. Finally, in light of the findings, recommendations were made to protect the historical and cultural values of the area.

In this research, field studies, spatial analyses, current and development plans of the Amasra Municipality were used for evaluation. AutoCAD 2019, Photoshop CS6, Graph Commons were used to process the data. The data-processing flow chart is given in Figure 4.

5. Methodology for the Data Collection

Amasra has important urban images and identity values. Since the history of the area dates back to ancient times, traces of many civilizations can be found in the area. Districts are areas that make you feel like you are entering a different area of the city, such as a neighborhood or protected area. First-, second- and third-degree archeological sites are protected by the Karabük Cultural Heritage Preservation Regional Board in Turkey. The study area has first-, second- and third-degree archeological protected areas, which are classified in three categories [36]:

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First-degree archeological protected areas (A1): areas that will be protected as they are, except for scientific studies aimed at conservation;

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Second-degree archeological protected area (A2): areas that need to be protected, but whose conditions of protection and use will be determined by the protection boards and will be protected as they are, except for scientific studies on conservation;

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Third-degree archeological protected areas (A3): archeological areas where new regulations may be allowed in line with the conservation and use decisions.

5.1. Evaluation of Urban Images

To determine the city images, an analysis was made according to the researcher’s observations, perception and field experiences. As a result of field work and observations, maps were prepared for each urban image component (regions, focuses, borders, landmarks, roads) of the area. Four different neighborhoods were identified in the Amasra archeological protected area. These are Boztepe, Kaleiçi, Kum and Fatih. The Amasra Archeological Protected Area Map is given in Figure 5a, and the Amasra district map is given in Figure 5b.

In the research area, focal points such as statues, monuments, trees, squares and gathering areas were examined. Eight focal points were identified in the area. These focal points are available in the study area. The first is the Genoa Arms from the Genoese period, and the other is the Direkli Rock. The third one is the Crying Tree and Lighthouse located on the Boztepe Island. Other focal points consist of the statues in the neighborhood of Kaleiçi. These are the Amastris statue, from which Amasra takes its name, the Barış Akarsu Statue, the Pitman Statue and the Congar Mehmet Statue. The Amasra node map is shown in Figure 6a. Edge elements from urban images are areas with limiting functions such as walls separating two regions, building facades or ports. There were seven different edge elements in the study area. The Amasra Fortress Walls and Gate, which were included in the UNESCO temporary heritage list, are among the first-edge elements. The Kemere Bridge, which separates the Boztepe Island and Kaleiçi, is the second-edge element. The port areas that provide commercial use of the Black Sea Region are among the border elements of Amasra. The Small Port, an archeological site located on the west coast of the area, and the Ancient Port and the Big Port located in the east of the area are the other edge elements. The Amasra edge map is given in Figure 6b.

It has been observed that the streets create paths of urban images and people reach historical buildings by passing through paths in Amasra. In the study area, the paths are narrow and winding and turn into dead-end streets in some places. There are 11 streets connecting the historical buildings in the area. The Amasra path map is given in Figure 7a. Historical buildings, which are considered landmarks in city images, can be accessed via the streets. Since the area is in an archeological protected area, there are many architectural buildings. Most of these have been destroyed and remain as ruins. The Amasra landmark map is given in Figure 7b.

5.2. Network Analysis

Network analysis was carried out to reveal the points where the contribution of urban images to the space is high. This analysis aimed to reveal the dominant images in the urban protected area and the relationship of these images with the street texture. The relationships between the image elements of the roads and focal points that constitute the physical infrastructure of the area were examined using the Graph Commons platform. Roads and focal points were entered as point data on the platform and connections were drawn between them according to their relationships in the field. Thus, a network of relationships of roads and focal points was obtained, and places with high connectivity values in this network were investigated. To measure the connectedness value of the roads in the network of relationships, the betweenness centrality value was examined. Areas with a high centrality value mean that they have a high connectedness value, and a high value means that the contribution value of that place is high.

The visual mental map created by connecting a network of relationships between the paths, edges, nodes, landmarks and districts of Amasra urban images were evaluated in the study area. In the first stage, cluster analysis was performed, and the main focal points were examined. In cluster analysis, the first five images, according to their clustering percentages, were as follows: 29% Amasra Museum, 21% Small Church, 18% Amastris Statue, 18% Exterior Gate, and 14% Castle Gate. These spaces have a high percentage of clusters and social interaction. Social networks can be seen in the mental map created in the Graph Commons platform in Figure 8.

6. Results

According to the results of the analysis, central and indirect connections were seen from the social connections in the mind map. Centrality analysis was performed to analyze the social relations. The results of data analysis showed that the degree centrality value varies between 1 and 6. The most connected place in the area was the Exterior Castle Gate with a centrality degree value of 6. The second most connected places in the area are the Amasra Museum, Small Church, Kemere Bridge and Castle Gate, with a centrality degree value of 4. Other results from the data analysis showed that the betweenness centrality value varied between 0.56 and 0. The most important spaces in the area in terms of location, according to the betweenness value, are the Exterior Castle Gate with 0.56, the Kemere Bridge with 0.42, the Edhem Ağa Mansion with 0.37, the Amasra Museum with 0.25, and the Barış Akarsu Statue with 0.23. The centrality values of other images are at or below the average value. According to the centrality analysis, the betweenness and degree centrality values of the city are given in

Table 1. The centrality analysis values of image of the city elements.

The City Image Type	The City Image Elements Name	Betweenness Centrality	Degree Centrality
Edges	Exterior Castle Gate	0.56	6
Edges	Kemere Bridge	0.42	4
Landmarks	Edhem Ağa Mansion	0.37	3
Landmarks	Amasra Museum	0.25	4
Nodes	Barış Akarsu Statue	0.23	2
Edges	Castle Gate	0.21	4
Nodes	Amasris Statue	0.17	3
Landmarks	Çekiciler Bazaar	0.17	3
Landmarks	Fatih Mosque	0.16	3
Edges	Antique Port	0.11	3
Nodes	Pitman Statue	0.11	3
Edges	Castle Wall	0.093	2
Landmarks	Bedesten	0.074	2
Landmarks	Small Church	0.063	4
Edges	Big Port	0.056	3
Landmarks	Amasra Castle	0.047	2
Landmarks	Rome Hamam	0.026	2
Landmarks	Amasra Government Mansion	0.025	3
Nodes	Direkli Rock	0.012	3
Edges	Small Port	0.0076	3
Landmarks	Ottoman Hamam	0	1
Landmarks	Kemerdere Bridge	0	4
Landmarks	Amasra Ancient Theatre	0	1
Landmarks	Poseidon Temple and Church Ruins	0	1
Nodes	Cenova Arms	0	2
Nodes	Congar Mehmet Statue	0	2
Nodes	Lighthouse	0	2
Nodes	Crying Tree	0	2

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Based on the findings, the most important district in terms of social networks among urban images in the area was the Kaleiçi Neighborhood. The Kum Neighborhood, where other city images are concentrated, is the second most important region. It was seen that urban images have commonly been found in these neighborhoods, where there are third-degree archeological sites. As a result, it has been revealed that the Amasra Fortress in the Kaleiçi Neighborhood and the region forming its walls and surroundings are the most important location in terms of social networks.

7. Discussion

The formation of historical city images depends on the social relations within the space. Amasra, which is located on an archeological area, has many architectural buildings and historical spaces. However, intense construction in Amasra due to tourism and construction pressure threatens the local architecture and the archeological sites. Aslan and Kiper [6] concluded in their research that the most important threat to the urban identity is unhealthy urbanization and uncontrolled construction, and that the architectural examples of Amasra are under this threat. Due to the rapid change in the area, many architectural buildings have disappeared in recent years. This situation causes the sense of place and belonging to disappear. In this study, the historical buildings and spaces that exist today in Amasra were analyzed to understand their social interaction mechanism. The research results emphasize the importance of the location of the Amasra Fortress and the City Wall, which are included in the UNESCO temporary heritage list, in terms of social networks.

The first research question about the spaces or buildings that are the main focus areas and clusters in the historical center of Amasra was clarified in this study. It was seen that architectural structures such as the Small Church, Fortress Gate, Exterior Gate and Kemere Bridge located around the castle are clustered in social networks and have played an effective role from past to present. The gathering of clusters in the castle and its surrounding areas confirms the network analysis overlapping with the fact that the current intensity of use is concentrated in these areas. The fact that the castle and its surrounding architectural elements are seen as a main focal point is an indication of its importance from past to present.

The second research question about the architectural structures that have central actors or indirect connections/influencers within these clusters that form social interaction areas was also clarified. Newly built image elements such as the Amasra Museum, the Barış Akarsu Statue, and the Amastris Statue located in the Kum Neighborhood have become social interaction areas. The Exterior Castle Gate, Kemere Bridge, Edhem Ağa Mansion and Amasra Museum are the central nodes of high importance in the area. Although edges are dominant in the area, it was concluded that port areas are not effective. It was observed that the focus points of the urban image elements had low connection values in the network map. The method that evaluates the analysis of data on the Graph Commons platform improves our understanding of historical heritage sites. The formation mechanism of the historical area has changed according to the configuration of the Fortress and the surrounding buildings. Urban image elements are intense in the Kaleiçi Neighborhood and social interaction and meaning value of the area increase there. Heritage values that have been lost in other regions need to be revitalized and their importance and meaning need to be increased.

The research results related to the subject of this study were examined. Eldiasty et al. [11] used the integration of the TOPSIS method and space syntax analysis in the historical city of Rosetta, Egypt, and they concluded that it performed well in the urban development and decision-making process. In this research, mental mapping method and network analysis are effective in understanding the spatial structure of the Amasra historical center and in the decision-making process to restore its original value. Hosagrahar et al. [40] stated that the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional settlement patterns is fundamental to inclusive social, economic development and poverty reduction, improving the livability and sustainability of urban areas and the development of surrounding areas. Çelikyay [41] emphasized that site management and management planning should be carried out with a participatory strategy to effectively protect the natural and cultural heritage of Amasra. Koçan and Çorbacı [42] concluded in their research that Amasra historical buildings have an important place due to their harmony with nature and architectural styles.As a matter of fact, Arabacıoğlu [43] stated that the walls enable the boundaries of the historical texture to be defined. In this context, the Amasra Fortress and City Wall have potential for the development of tourism. In this regard, in ref. [44], Çorbacı proposed a model based on tourism and recreation strategies within the scope of landscape planning for the Amasra district. Yıldırım [45] created an ancient travel route for Amasra, which will contribute to the revitalization of the historical heritage and its transformation into an example of a living ancient port city. Cengiz and Keçecioğlu [46] evaluated the urban image effect and identity in Amasra from multiple perspectives and emphasized that the sustainability of the resources should be taken into consideration by taking into account the coastal characteristics of the area. In this research, it was concluded that Amasra’s coasts should be developed socio-economically since it has a commercial port.

Amasra’s urban images include the meaning of the place as well as its urban identity. In this context, the research hypothesis was supported, that is, the social relations network of all existing images in the area reflected the meaning of the place. The perceptibility of the network of relationships between the Amasra city images was evaluated. Kaya and Akdemir [47] emphasized that if the city can be legible, it can be perceived visually by creating a texture with identifiable symbols and concluded that urban images can be perceived in their study in Elazığ. A legible city will be an area whose districts, edges and paths can easily be distinguished and grouped into a large-scale texture [24]. Ci and Choi [48] used concept map and network analysis, analyzed the image of a place compared to its identity and found that city residents shared similar city images, but the images were quite different from the city’s identity. In light of the analyses evaluated in this study, it was determined that Amasra was clustered in certain regions on the network map, but the connectivity of the urban images was not distributed in a way that was effective in all image elements. Öğçe [49] evaluated the city image of the Istanbul Peninsula, and his study findings showed that landmarks and edges were more dominant than the other elements. The results showed that the landmarks and edges of urban images are more dominant in mental maps.

7.1. Recommendation of This Study

Within the scope of planning strategies, first, the Amasra Fortress should be protected and emphasized. New architectural structures should be built in harmony with the traditional texture. On the other hand, all structural units such as building facades, walls, lighting elements should be restored in harmony with the historical texture. In line with the study findings, Amasra’s urban design projects should be developed with design guides and legislation made in the relevant regulations. To protect the socio-economic identity, the maps obtained as a result of the research can be used and developed in urban tourism. People and visitors living in Amasra should be informed about their cultural values. On the other hand, the development of sustainable strategies for the area is important for the future of the historic center and its inclusion in the UNESCO protection status. Management plans for the UNESCO nomination process should be developed. For this purpose, practices such as reorganizing the streets with high interaction value buildings in the area, creating ergonomic routes for pedestrians and increasing cultural–artistic activities should be increased. Lost cultural heritage sites should be evaluated and revitalized into eco-museums. In order for all urban image elements to be understandable, heritage areas lost in focal points should be revitalized and developed in the neighborhoods. The ancient port areas of Amasra, which is a trade area, should be revitalized. Thus, all urban image elements in Amasra will be effective and the intelligibility of the historical center will increase.

Lastly, another issue that should be taken into consideration in this study is the examination of theoretical frameworks in space management to define the issues of identity and place image. The theoretical insights gained from some research [50,51,52] underscore the importance of a holistic approach to place branding, one that integrates the dynamic and fluid nature of place identity, the subjective perceptions of place image, and the generalized evaluations of place reputation. By acknowledging and leveraging these interconnections, stakeholders can effectively foster attractive, competitive, and prosperous places, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing the appeal for investors, tourists and new residents. On the other hand, there are complicated and often overlooked synergistic effects that should be considered in other studies. For the recent crisis events, it is necessary to reflect on the impact of polycrisis, as a confluence of several crises, the manifestations of which interfere with the process of creating the image or reputation of cities. Indeed, Matlovič and Matlovičová [53] discuss how polycrisis can be integrated into geographical study. Other research needs to be carried out on the impact of recent crisis events and their manifestations on the impact of polycrisis on the process of creating the image or reputation of cities. They have a major impact on urban development by influencing the hierarchy of preferences and the way cities develop.

7.2. Limitations and Future Benefits of the Proposed Methodology

One of the limitations of this study is the lack of a database of historical maps. If data on the historical maps of the area were expanded, profound results could be obtained about how the area has changed from past to present. Since the current state of the area is evaluated, the other spatial changes cannot be included due to the method. Another disadvantage of this methodology is that urban level methods are not integrated into it. In this context, the method can be evaluated together with different methods in other studies in the future. The result of this study will ensure the integration of the society with the historical texture of Amasra and contribute to tourism and development. The use of different techniques and methods such as the mental mapping method and network analysis in this study will help preserve the historical identity of the area and support its development within an analytical framework. As a result, this study has shown that examining the social networks of urban images in the preservation of historical heritage provides information on the formation of historical landscapes. The innovation of this research is that it uses a method that evaluates urban images, which is not used in historical areas or in previous research on Amasra.

8. Conclusions

Areas that are about to lose their social and historical identity are the current problems of the historical centers of cities. This study contributes to the literature with a method for the evaluation of historical buildings in areas with an urban identity. The study results showed how the network analysis and mental mapping method was integrated to improve conservation approaches in the evaluation of plans with historical and architectural value. The research approach clarifies two issues. First, by using the mental mapping method to the city, the spatial structure of the historical core can be analyzed. Secondly, it reflects the historical value of the city’s identity and produces alternatives in the development of socio-economic activities, considering the social importance of the area. This study provided meaning to the historical texture by creating a scheme for the physical simulation of the images in our minds with different methods and analyses. It is important to consider the urban images that give character to the historical landscape and to integrate their relationships with each other. If Amasra can preserve its historical identity by revitalizing its existing and lost architectural buildings, a sense of belonging for the users can also be developed. It is important to develop urban landscape designs in areas with low interaction so that users can perceive the importance of architectural structures.

Planning strategies need to be developed to preserve and protect the identity of local governments, non-governmental organizations and citizens. The practices can support the decision-making process according to areas of high importance in the city’s development or decision-making process. The method model evaluated in this study should be investigated with respect to contributing to the development plans in cities with historical values. This study also contributes to other studies in terms of analyzing the relationships of the field in the social context, understanding its importance and trying the method to conserve it. The method model evaluated in this study can be expanded with different criteria in other studies and tested to ensure sustainable development in cities with historical and economic ways. With the study data obtained, the preservation of Amasra in the future can be achieved by all actors taking an active role and preparing city plans and projects, design guides and legislations.