Determining the Spatial Vulnerability Levels and Typologies of Coastal Cities to Climate Change Case of Turkey

Sılaydın Aydın M. B., Kahraman E. D.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Geological and Environmental Engineering, cilt.10, sa.11, ss.1058-1062, 2016 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

One of the important impacts of climate change is the

sea level rise. Turkey is a peninsula, so the coastal areas of the

country are threatened by the problem of sea level rise. Therefore, the

urbanized coastal areas are highly vulnerable to climate change. At

the aim of enhancing spatial resilience of urbanized areas, this

question arises: What should be the priority intervention subject in

the urban planning process for a given city. To answer this question,

by focusing on the problem of sea level rise, this study aims to

determine spatial vulnerability typologies and levels of Turkey

coastal cities based on morphological, physical and social

characteristics. As a method, spatial vulnerability of coastal cities is

determined by two steps as level and type. Firstly, physical structure,

morphological structure and social structure were examined in

determining spatial vulnerability levels. By determining these levels,

most vulnerable areas were revealed as a priority in adaptation

studies. Secondly, all parameters are also used to determine spatial

typologies. Typologies are determined for coastal cities in order to

use as a base for urban planning studies. Adaptation to climate

change is crucial for developing countries like Turkey so, this

methodology and created typologies could be a guide for urban

planners as spatial directors and an example for other developing

countries in the context of adaptation to climate change. The results

demonstrate that the urban settlements located on the coasts of the

Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean respectively,

are more vulnerable than the cities located on the Black Sea’s coasts

to sea level rise.