Investigation of recreational purpose landuse suitability by using geospatial technologies in the process of reclamation after open-pit mining

The magnitude of the destruction to nature in open pit mining is known and different thoughts are established to bring these areas back to nature. In this context, after the end of the economic life of the mine sites can be designed in different themes that can be brought to nature, urban people can meet the recreational needs. When the analytical and visual capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are integrated with multi-criteria decision-making methods, it is ensured that the decision-making phase in the process of submission of mining sites to the city is more rapid and reliable. In this study, GIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodologies were used together, and the suitability maps were prepared for the recreational areas of the Dutluca and Koçbal mine sites and their close vicinity. The study aims to show that the suitability analysis is guiding to the decision makers and provide great tools in the field for planning, obtained from GIS and AHP. At the same time, it is emphasized that the progress of the planning process based on scientific realities will give healthier results.