ABSTRACT

This study consists of a theoretical framework by which the growth patterns and forms of cities could be explained. In this study, it is anticipated that the growth pattern observed as a feature of Turkish cities developed as metropolitan centres after 1950's, could also be observed in cities within the territory of a metropolitan city and displaying rapid urbanisation and population growth. The mentioned growth pattern is of double phases. At the first phase leapfrog developments in fringes of cities cause a decentralised urban form, then during the second phase a compact urban form is achieved by infilling of inner city vacant lands. Thus, transformation process of lands in the fringes of the cities and relationship with growth pattern will be examined in this study comparatively. Theoretical framework accepted in this study is based on neo- classical theories of urban land market and rural/urban fringe land market. In addition, this study anticipates some changes in these theories.