Research Article

Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective

Number: 54 June 30, 2026
TR EN

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

Supporting Institution

This study was not supported by any funding organization.

Project Number

3726924

Ethical Statement

No ethics committee decision was deemed necessary.

Thanks

It is the output of the relevant project: 3726924 - Aydıncık Municipality (Mersin) - (Urbanization and Environment Issues)

References

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. Ersoy, M. (Ed.). (2008). Kentsel planlama kuramları. İmge Kitabevi.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 54

APA
Kocalar, A. C. (2026). Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 54, 69-96. https://doi.org/10.61904/sbe.1742903
AMA
1.Kocalar AC. Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective. JISS. 2026;(54):69-96. doi:10.61904/sbe.1742903
Chicago
Kocalar, Aziz Cumhur. 2026. “Urbanization and Environmental Problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık Example: Ecological Planning and Urban Resilience Perspective”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, nos. 54: 69-96. https://doi.org/10.61904/sbe.1742903.
EndNote
Kocalar AC (June 1, 2026) Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 54 69–96.
IEEE
[1]A. C. Kocalar, “Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective”, JISS, no. 54, pp. 69–96, June 2026, doi: 10.61904/sbe.1742903.
ISNAD
Kocalar, Aziz Cumhur. “Urbanization and Environmental Problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık Example: Ecological Planning and Urban Resilience Perspective”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 54 (June 1, 2026): 69-96. https://doi.org/10.61904/sbe.1742903.
JAMA
1.Kocalar AC. Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective. JISS. 2026;:69–96.
MLA
Kocalar, Aziz Cumhur. “Urbanization and Environmental Problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık Example: Ecological Planning and Urban Resilience Perspective”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, no. 54, June 2026, pp. 69-96, doi:10.61904/sbe.1742903.
Vancouver
1.Aziz Cumhur Kocalar. Urbanization and environmental problems in the Mersin-Aydıncık example: ecological planning and urban resilience perspective. JISS. 2026 Jun. 1;(54):69-96. doi:10.61904/sbe.1742903

by.png Journal of Suleyman Demirel University Institute of Social Sciences (SDU-JS), is licensed under the is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Legal Code.