Effect of Transportation Lines in Urban Development: Elazıg – Harput

Abstract

Transportation lines have decisive role in foundation and development processes of cities since the historical period. Transportation connections are one of the main factor on selection of the site where the settlement will be established. As one of the factor that directly affect foundation of the settlements, transportation lines also indicate the development direction of the urban fabric. In this context, Harput and Elazıg settlements were handled as the main material of the study. The foundation and development of the city in the 19th and 20th centuries were researched throughout the effect of transportation lines. As a result of the findings, the urban fabric of Harput was shifted to south due to the railway line that passing on plain where south side of Harput. Thus, it caused to create a new urban settlement on plain. After railway, in the 20 th century, city growth though the west and south directions because of the highway connections. In future projection, according to developing transportation connections city’s development will be estimated on southwest side of the city.

Key Words: urban growth, transportation planning, Elazıg, Harput

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/5-4-22