In: Efe, R.; Onay, T.T.; Sharuho, I.; Atasoy, E.; Bayartan, M. (Editors). Urban and Urbanization. Sofia St. Kliment Ohridski University Press. pp 48‐56, Sofia. Bulgaria. 2014-ISBN 978 954 07 3772 0 1 POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT FEATURES OF BALIKESİR BETWEEN 1940 AND 2010 1940-2010 Yılları Arasında Balıkesir'in Nüfus ve Yerleşim Özellikleri İsa CÜREBAL, Recep EFE, Abdullah SOYKAN, Süleyman SÖNMEZ Balıkesir Üniversitesi, Fen – Edebiyat Fakültesi, Coğrafya Bölümü, 10145 Balıkesir ABSTRACT This study discusses the population and settlement features in Balıkesir city center. According to data of 2010, more than 250.000 people live in the city center. An area of 31 km 2 is used for settlement purposes. The city center is a mid-size settlement area located on the west-northwest section of a plain. The plain has the same name as the center. During the preparation phase of the study, it was attempted to identify the population characteristics of the city center. In addition, features of settlement and settlement area of the city center were studied based on data from different periods. Data obtained were superposed by the use of GIS software. The relationship between settlement and population was demonstrated. For these operations, a topographical map with a scale of 1:25.000 was used. Also, a 2010 dated satellite image was used to determine the current settlement area. The method was applied to the area in question by the use of ArcGIS for Desktop v.10x software. The study shows that the core settlement of the city is based on slopes that constitute the transition area between the surfaces of the plains and plateau. It also demonstrates that settlement area expanded in time due to population growth and that plain and plateau surfaces were opened to settlement. The propensity for expansion was determined to be towards the plain and fertile agricultural lands. In 1940, the city center had a population of 30.110, and the settlement area was 2,4 km 2 . By 2010, the number reached 265.747, and the settlement area expanded to 31.0 km 2 . Urban population density was 16.985 per km 2 in 1960. It declined to 8.572 by 2010. In the 50 year period, the subject of the study, population quadrupled. However, population density decreased by a factor of one. Keywords: Population, Settlement, Balıkesir, Geographic Information System INTRODUCTION Settlement and population largely depend on economic features and habitat conditions. That is to say, these two factors affect the sites, functions, and development of establishment of settlements. Geographical features are important in that they set the habitat conditions and characteristics of the area’s potential for use. Areas used in line with their potentials positively affect users’ activities. Yet, areas suitable for agriculture, pasture lands, and forests were converted into urban areas. This, in turn, caused these areas to completely lose their potential features. Settlements on these areas face transportation and infrastructure problems, and the risk of suffering from earthquakes. Settlements cannot remain as they are because of population growth. Thus, they expand over time. First established on slopes, settlements expand towards to other areas such as plain and plateau surfaces. This kind of urbanization leads to many negative environmental impacts such as the loss of fertile lands, and overexploitation and contamination of natural resources. In that sense, it is necessary to consider natural and anthropogenic features when planning the establishment and development sites of settlements. In 2010, 50.5% (3.5 billion people) of the world population lives in urban areas. Urbanization is rapidly increasing all over the world. It is so fast that it is estimated that the world population will increase by 2.5 billion and 80% of it will be living in cities by 2050 (WPO, 2007). 1927 census in Turkey indicates that the population was 13.65 million and 24% of it lived in cities. In 1950, when the population was 20.95 million, urban population reached 25% with a very small increase. It rose to 67.8 in 2000, and the urban population reached 65%. The population escalated to 73.5 in 2010. Urban dwellers in 2010 constitute 75.5% of the total population. Studies were conducted in Turkey to obtain data on the development processes of urban settlements and identify their features. Some of these studies discuss urban settlements while others