Visual Perception Analysis of Coastal Squares in the Context of the City-Coast Relationship: Beşiktaş Barbaros Square

Human beings do not merely content themselves with sustaining their existence within natural and artificial environmental conditions; they also require individual and collective social interactions. In this context, squares, in particular, are among the public spaces where users can access freely, enhancing social participation and freedom of self-expression. This study examines the case of Beşiktaş Barbaros Urban Square in Istanbul, which was recently renovated with the mission of strengthening the connection between the city and the coast, and analyzes the impact of visual perception principles in coastal squares on urban quality of life. The findings demonstrate that designs focusing on visual perception strengthen the user-space bond and increase social and physical interaction. The study aims to contribute to the development of strategies that enhance the social, physical, and spatial quality of coastal squares, while providing a conceptual and methodological basis for future studies investigating visual perception, user–space interaction, and city–coast relationships in diverse urban contexts.