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Determining and Mapping Eco-Cultural Subregions Using GIS and Simos Procedure

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Abstract

Immovable cultural properties constituting cultural heritage centre upon regions that have the level of natural features required for basic human needs. Such regions constitute a space with characteristics of an eco-cultural subregion and they do not have any administrative or geographical boundaries. Aims of this study are to introduce the concept of eco-cultural subregion, which is the holistic expression of natural features together with cultural heritage, to the literature; to present a method in identifying geographical boundaries of subregions; and to formulate a classification system. The research was conducted in the Phrygian Valley, which is one of the most important centres of ancient Phrygians in Western Anatolia, using a method based on GIS-MCDM (Geographic Information System-Multiple Criteria Decision Making). The selected MCDM technique was Simos Procedure. Natural features and cultural heritage were considered together and the entire Phrygian Valley was approached as both an ecological and a cultural region. Ecological features were analysed using 7 main and 17 subfactors, while cultural heritage was analysed using 2 main factors and 15 subfactors. Simos Procedure was employed in the assignment of weight for main factors and subfactors. First 17 ecological subregions with similar characteristics under 4 levels were identified. Considering their cultural heritage values, a classification system was formulated and eco-cultural subregions were expressed in level/degree in this system. In consequence of this procedure boundaries of eco-cultural subregions were drawn and mapped. This classification also enabled to identify the concept of eco-cultural subregion which is not found in the literature. It is expected that eco-cultural subregions will provide to discuss ecological features and cultural heritage holistically in conservation and planning studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Landscape and Ornamental Plants Program, Kalecik Vocational School, Ankara University, Kalecik, 06870, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatma Aşılıoğlu

  2. Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, Aydınlıkevler, 06130, Ankara, Turkey

    Yalçın D. Memlük

Authors
  1. Fatma Aşılıoğlu
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  2. Yalçın D. Memlük
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Correspondence to Fatma Aşılıoğlu.

Additional information

This paper is an abridgment of an updated part of the PhD thesis titled “The Concept of Ecological-Cultural Subregion: Phrygian Valley”. The thesis was done under the supervision of Professor Yalçın D. Memlük and submitted by Fatma Aşılıoğlu to Ankara University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences in 2011.

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Aşılıoğlu, F., Memlük, Y.D. Determining and Mapping Eco-Cultural Subregions Using GIS and Simos Procedure. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 45, 553–567 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-016-0606-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12524-016-0606-1

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