Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PLANLAMA-PLANNING, cilt.25, sa.2, ss.107-121, 2015 (ESCI)
The agglomeration of economic activities and their spatial effects on a particular geographical area are of great importance for urban economies. For this reason, many theoretical approaches have been developed based on agglomeration economies. Among these approaches, clustering highlights the strategic dimension of agglomerations, combining the geographical concentration of companies with actors, and encouraging deepened relationships and cooperation. Beginning in the 1990s, the approach has been used as an efficient tool that has contributed to the transformation process of the industrial stock, particularly in developing countries. A set of strong social, economic, and technological relationships among cluster actors is an important factor in this transformation process. The aim of the present paper was to examine the impact of spatial proximity on strengthening actor relations. The spatial pattern of relationships within the Istanbul Dudullu furniture cluster is defined. Highlighted is the importance of international relations in design creation and technology transfer, in addition to the connective structure of local relations that allows for cooperation. The factors determining relationships at different spatial levels and their influence on cluster development are also discussed.