Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective
Abstract
Mersin-Aydıncık, with its deep-rooted history spanning 6,000 years, is situated in a ecologically vulnerable geography encompassing the ancient port city of Kelenderis in the Eastern Mediterranean. This study aims to examine the dynamics of post-1950s urbanization and environmental problems in the district through the lenses of ecological planning and urban resilience. Utilizing qualitative research methods, namely situational analysis and in-depth field observations, the study correlates empirical field findings with statutory upper and lower-scale zoning plans. The analysis reveals that the plastic waste pressures exerted by the uncontrolled expansion of greenhouse agriculture, linear settlement trends along the D-400 highway corridor, infrastructure deficiencies, a failed marina project causing coastal degradation, and illicit fish farm initiatives constitute the primary risk factors threatening the town's ecological equilibrium. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) models and establishing ecological protection belts aligned with the spatial planning hierarchy to preserve sensitive coastal ecosystems and cultural heritage. The original contribution of this study lies in empirically and multi-scalarially demonstrating the multi-dimensional ecological risks faced by vulnerable small-scale coastal towns in the Mediterranean basin by integrating spatial planning and urban resilience parameters into a unified analytical framework.
Keywords
- ekolojik planlama
- kentsel dayanıklılık
- aydıncık
- akdeniz kıyıları
- kıyı alanları yönetimi
- sürdürülebilirlik
Supporting Institution
Project Number
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı. (2024). Mersin - Adana Planlama Bölgesi 1/100.000 Ölçekli Çevre Düzeni Planı Değişikliği (16.07.2024). 1/100.000 Ölçekli Çevre Düzeni Planları. https://mpgm.csb.gov.tr/1-100.000-olcekli-i-82132
- Derse, M. A., & Alphan, H. (2024). Evaluating the urban expansion of Silifke (Mersin) district with a focus on green spaces: The 2050 projection. Journal of Architectural Sciences, 9(1), 227–248. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1444609
- Dört E Planlama Araştırma Danışmanlık İnşaat ve Mühendislik Hizmetleri Ltd. Şti. (t.y.). Mersin İli Aydıncık İlçesi Yat Limanı Amaçlı 1/1000 Ölçekli Uygulama İmar Planı Revizyonu Plan Açıklama Raporu.
- Ersoy, M. (Ed.). (2008). Kentsel planlama kuramları. İmge Kitabevi.
- Ertürk, Z., & Dinçer, İ. (2018). Coastal urbanization and cultural landscape transformation in Foça. METU Journal of the Faculty of Architecture, 35(1), 123–142. https://doi.org/10.4305/METU.JFA.2018.1.3
- Görmüş, S., Oktay, E., & Cengiz, S. (2021). Kentsel ekosistemin dayanıklılık hedefini karşılamada ekolojik planlama yaklaşımları. PEYZAJ, 3(2), 122–134. https://doi.org/10.53784/peyzaj.1034398
- Gül, A., Dinç, G., Akın, T., & Koçak, A. İ. (2020). Kentsel açık ve yeşil alanlerin mevcut yasal durumu ve uygulamadaki sorunlar. İDEALKENT, 11(31), 1281–1312. https://doi.org/10.31198/idealkent.650461
- Karacan, G., & Gökce, D. (2023). Local coping with climate change: Integrating climate action plans and spatial plans. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, 7(2), 181–190.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Environmental Geography, Ecology, Sustainability and Energy, Public Administration, Urbanization Policies, Urban Policy, Turkiye's Regional Policy and Planning, Tourism Planning
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
June 30, 2026
Submission Date
July 15, 2025
Acceptance Date
May 16, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 54
Journal of Suleyman Demirel University Institute of Social Sciences (SDU-JS), is licensed under the is licensed under the