7–11 Jul 2025
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul
Europe/Brussels timezone

Evaluating Black Sea Coastal Road and Reclamation Projects in the Context of Sustainable Coastal Planning

Not scheduled
20m
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul

Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul

Oral Track 05 | ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

Speaker

Ms Buket Kösa (Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi)

Description

For thousands of years, coastal areas have been shaped and their resources effectively utilized by humans. Today, coastal areas face demands for industrial, commercial, and recreational use (Kay & Alder, 1999; Akyarlı, 2002). The processes of coastal areas have been shaped by different management approaches over time, with notable periodic differences evident in the coastal management classifications by O’Riordan and Vellinga (1993). Between 1950 and 1970, sectoral approaches dominated, and ecological factors were often overlooked. From 1970 to 1990, greater integration between sectors and public participation were achieved. Between 1990 and 2000, a sustainable development-oriented approach was adopted. It is predicted that future coastal management will be based on principles of ecological empathy, precautionary management, and collaborative governance. Building on this prediction, the study examines the impact of projects implemented along the Eastern and Central Black Sea coasts on the sustainability of coastal areas.
The main issue addressed in this study is to discuss the impact of the approach adopted for the planning of coastal areas in Turkey on the sustainability of coastal areas, using case studies from cities on the Eastern and Central Black Sea coasts. In the study, approaches to coastal planning and example applications are discussed within the context of global examples, while the 'coastal legislation,' which is the primary foundation for coastal area planning and regulation in Turkey, is also examined in the context of its legal framework for implementation.
The study will be carried out in three stages:

  1. A literature review on sustainable coastal planning and an evaluation of Turkish coastal legislation within this framework.
  2. A total of 22 projects will be evaluated through the creation of 'project identity cards,' comprising 7 projects from Turkey—primarily the Black Sea Coastal Road Project and other initiatives completed in the coastal cities of Samsun, Ordu, and Trabzon—as well as 15 coastal projects selected from global examples. The spatial and environmental impacts of these projects will be thoroughly assessed.
  3. Six reclamation projects, which stand out and show differentiation in terms of environmental impacts within the study area, will be examined in detail. Based on the findings, recommendations for sustainable coastal planning will be developed.

Global examples show diverse approaches to coastal management. In Australia and the UK, ecological value is prioritized, while in the US, Singapore, and the Maldives, economic value takes precedence. Sweden and Denmark focus on transforming idle coastal areas sustainably, balancing conservation and use. Conversely, the US, Singapore, and the Maldives often emphasize economic exploitation. Italy focuses on enhancing agricultural production, and South Korea showcases sustainable development through smart cities. The Philippines and Malaysia have large-scale artificial island projects, while Dubai’s tourism-driven development has raised concerns about environmental impact and sustainability. These examples reflect how coastal management priorities vary by region, balancing ecological, economic, and social goals.
In Turkey, the Black Sea Coastal Road is a major reclamation project linking coastal cities, sparking reclamation projects in most areas except Ordu. In Samsun, the road runs partly along the coast, with reclamation projects focused on tourism and recreation. In Trabzon, the road follows the coast, with large urban developments like hospitals and stadiums, making it a unique case due to planning uncertainties. Ordu, however, stands out as the road hasn't led to reclamation projects; instead, sustainable coastal development has allowed for economic and social activities.
In conclusion, coastal area management examples emphasize the need to balance ecological, economic, and social values to prevent long-term issues, with the Black Sea Coastal Road highlighting the importance of considering coastal impact in large-scale projects, ensuring reclamation areas align with urban fabric, sustainability, and social benefits.

References

Akyarlı, A., Yüksel, Y., Çevik, E., Yalçıner, A. C., & Güler, I. (2002). Kıyı bölgesi yönetimi ve sorunları. Türkiye Mühendislik Haberleri, 420-421-422, 65-68.
Burgess, H., Kilkie, P., & Callaway, T. (2016). Understanding the physical processes occurring within a new coastal managed realignment site, Medmerry, Sussex, UK. In Coastal Management: Changing coast, changing climate, changing minds (pp. 263–272). ICE Publishing.
De Santis, V., Rizzo, A., Scardino, G., Scicchitano, G., & Caldara, M. (2023). A procedure for evaluating historical land use change and resilience in highly reclaimed coastal areas: The case of the Tavoliere di Puglia (Southern Italy). Land, 12(4), pp. 775.
Kay, R. C., & Alder, J. (1999). Coastal planning and management. E & FN Spon.
Kurniati, R., Widjajanti, R., Dewi, S. P., & Syahri, E. K. (2024). Coastal area sustainability: How the components impact the economy of community? Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Diponegoro University.
O'Riordan, T., & Vellinga, P. (1993). Integrated coastal zone management: The next steps. In P. Beukenkamp, P. Gunther, R. Klein, et al. (Eds.), World Coast '93 (pp. 409–413). National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management, Coastal Zone Management Centre.

Keywords Coastline projects, Coastal cities, Coastal planning, Sustainability, Urbanization
Best Congress Paper Award Yes

Primary authors

Ms Buket Kösa (Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi) Prof. Dilek Beyazlı (Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi) Ms Türkan Özgür (Ordu Çevre Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği İl Müdürlüğü) Ms Şevin Şahin (Samsun İl Afet ve Acil Durum Müdürlüğü)

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