A Research Towards Determining Andirin's Calm City (Cittaslow) Potential

Abstract

Within the scope of this study, the calm city potential of Andirin has been investigated as a sustainable local development strategy. Although Andirin is a medium-sized settlement in Kahramanmaraş province, it contains many natural and cultural elements. Although it has gained the status of a district today, it has not been a large settlement in terms of both population and social life. In the study, the natural and human geography elements of the settlement, the urban infrastructure, the projects implemented and to be implemented were examined, and the examples of calm cities from the world and Turkey were evaluated. Social, economic, cultural and environmental evaluations were made based on the main heading criteria of being a calm city, and they were associated with the relevant literature. Descriptive scanning method was used to analyze the obtained data. Andirin settlement, which is the study area, has been evaluated as a place where alternative, nature-friendly projects can be realized with its climate, rich vegetation, natural and historical assets, unique local identity. In the study, it was concluded that the calm city movement can raise awareness about the continuity of the local culture in the settlement and can make significant contributions to the local economy and tourism, and suggestions were made in local and regional terms.