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

In the case of Çınarcık 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.

Keywords: Landscape characterization, ecological planning, landscape master plan, landscape suitability analysis, Çınarcık.