The main aim of this study is to examine the spatial development of the city of Fethiye from a geographical perspective, conduct a suitability analysis for the current settlement area and future spatial development, and provide recommendations. Within the scope of the thesis, the impact of geographical factors on the establishment and development of the city of Fethiye has been investigated in terms of time and space.

Fethiye is located in the southwest of Turkey, in the western part of the Mediterranean Region. The city is situated approximately 125 km southeast of Muğla, to which it is administratively connected.

Fethiye has developed and sustained its existence from ancient times to the present. The city, established on the northern foothills of Mount Karınca to the south of Fethiye Bay, has continuously expanded spatially and now covers an area of approximately 70 km². The city has extended its area from the shores of Fethiye Bay in the west to the interior parts of the Fethiye Plain in the east. With a population exceeding 150,000 is one of the important cities in the region and is continuously growing spatially.

In the west, Fethiye Bay, the Fethiye Plain, and the nearby low hills and mountainous areas, along with the foothill plains and alluvial fans formed by streams originating from these areas, are the primary geographical factors influencing the city's location and direction of development. Additionally, since the mid-1980s, the increase in tourism activities and the consequent development of the service sector, advancements in road and sea transportation, the rise in agricultural activities, and investments in health and education have accompanied this development.

Various geographical criteria have been considered to determine the boundaries of the city of Fethiye. In this context, independent maps for each criterion were created using GIS techniques, and analyses were conducted to determine the existing city limits. The study analyzed the physical and human geographic features that influence the spatial development of Fethiye. Within this scope, twelve geographical factors were assessed by weighting them using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, and analyses were conducted, followed by mapping these results using GIS methods. As a result of the analyses, areas suitable and unsuitable for settlement have been identified. Furthermore, the study examined the city's problems and presented solution proposals.

In the scope of the study, satellite images, drone images, photographs, topographic maps, statistical data, zoning plans, historical records, and literature studies were used, and all these data were supported by fieldwork.