Abstract
Throughout the urban conservation process, evaluation of the townscape and physical environment of urban historic sites are significantly important to be examined in an analytical paradigm. Accordingly urban conservation studies require utilization of three-dimensional (3D) representation techniques. Most common planning studies have been developed with two- dimensional (2D) analysis, but such techniques may not be sufficient to evaluate townscape quality. This paper was held on a case study of the Zeyrek urban historic site which was accomplished with an innovative analysis procedure based on 2D and 3D visualization techniques in order to evaluate townscape quality. The case study was then examined to determine the efficiency of visualization techniques with subjective responses from graduate students in a questionnaire. The most common response found in the questionnaire is that a 3D urban model of Zeyrek urban historic site is more helpful for evaluating the townscape quality. Therefore, parameters related to urban structure, visual characteristics, accessibility, and harmony can be better defined through the utilization of a 3D urban model compared to traditional 2D mapping techniques. In regard to the opportunities for utilization of 3D urban models, this study demonstrates the appropriateness with which key components in the urban conservation process—topographical features, conventional analyses, townscape analyses, and descriptions of historical evolution—are efficiently represented with 3D urban model.
