Ecological landscape master plan according to landscape characterization in the case of Yalova Çınarcık District

Abstract

In the case of & Ccedil;& imath;narc & imath;k District, land suitability for settlement, agriculture, forest, and conservation was assessed based on potential, risk, and constraints. An 'Ecological Landscape Master Plan' was developed using GIS-supported Landscape Suitability Analysis (LANDEP) method. Character areas formed by landscape elements influence sustainable and conservation-oriented planning decisions. Natural structure components included 8 parameters, 57 criteria, and numerous sub-criteria. Analyses, synthesis, classification, and zoning were conducted to determine landscape structure. Landscape characterisation identified 7 regions and 92 sub-regions based on topography (19), soil (14), geology and geomorphology (21), hydrology (12), forest cover (9), protection areas (10), and risk factors (8). Approximately 83% of the area is prone to risks such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and tsunamis. Of the earthquake risk zones, 5% of the area is currently inhabited, 1.8% is suitable with precautions, while 37.1% is unsuitable for settlement. About 4% of settlement areas lie on quaternary sedimentary ground, 2.3% on active fault lines, and 76% are located in coastal plains. The entire 8 km coastline is at tsunami risk. The central settlement sits on problematic young alluvial ground. Notably, 76% of buildings are over four storeys, and 320 are within the active fault line and 500 m protection zone, comprising 12% of all buildings. These risky zones must be classified as 'Exposure Areas,' with evacuation or demolition of vulnerable structures. Reconstruction should be based on microzonation and geological investigations. Notably, 70% of the area includes olive groves and agricultural and forest lands, which should be preserved to ensure sustainability.