Historic squares’ identity expression: Namik Kemal Square, Famagusta-Cyprus

Abstract

Historic square's naturalistic layers harmonize in contrast with man's unstable taste, changing intentions with time, and neoliberal policies. Consequently, the challenge of what will stand out on the square's expression to the future remains an enormous pertinence amid the identity struggle. Recall that historic squares represent the bedrock for the chronological events that shaped human settlements, be it socio-economic, cultural, religious, political, art and architecture, educational, and folklore. This paper aims to analyze the square's identity as part of its historical and cultural representation. Besides, examine the layers on the surfaces (facades) facing it and their functional changes from history to now. The paper adopted an integrated study approach, using a literature review simultaneously with fieldwork to perform the analysis to describe and observe beyond the structural image to the social implications of the surrounding works of art, architecture, and nature. Based on the results, Namik Kemal Square is characterized socially, physically, and functionally by the surfaces of Lusignan, Venetian, Ottoman, British, Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to now. The square exemplifies a mix of hard/soft surfaces and old/new textual layers. Presently, some functions have changed; others are changing, while only a small percentage maintained uncompromising character. The study hypothesizes that though place remains, occupancy changes with pre-existing tissues. Therefore, the surfaces of the diverse identities about people's existence in a setting (square) should be conserved for livability. Furthermore, design principles that will displace the square's identity should be discouraged.