The need for ecosystem-based coastal planning in Trabzon city

Coastal urbanization problem was emanated from willingness of coastal living. Urban sprawl is one of the most important coastal problems in Turkey as it is in Trabzon city which is known for its natural and historical assets. In order to ensure the sustainability and ecological continuity of the city, an ecosystem based coastal planning is an issue of high priority. Protection and usage balance of the coastal areas could also ensure transition of the natural values to future generations. Trabzon city has been under severe urbanization problem for the last 30 years due to migration from rural to coastal areas of the city. It is thought that recently completed motorway and its service roads accelerated the urbanization on coastal periphery. Therefore, the problem must be resolved as soon as possible to achieve the good environmental status of the coast in the city. Thus, as a solution, DPSIR framework was proposed for systematic evaluation and documentation of the related critical issues by starting with a questionnaire composed of open ended questions for determination of major coastal problems in the city. As a step forward, the problems are quantitatively investigated and confirmed by using remote sensing techniques and census data compiled from TUIK databases. As a result major drivers were defined as "coastal urbanization", "coastal land filling" and "coastal transportation" for the city of Trabzon. It is recommended that single authority (composed of various specialists) must take the responsibility of coastal planning in the region. Moreover, the rights of the municipalities on the coastal zone must urgently be stopped by applying continues independent monitoring. Finally, taxation and land owning policies have to be revised on coastal areas to balance and encourage alternative city planning strategies