Rural planning with the green infrastructure approach in the case of Ulus Drahna Valley in Bartın province

Today, although biodiversity is on the verge of annihilation because of the increasing problems resulting from climate change, deterioration of the natural balance of the environment, habitat fragmentation, air pollution, and insufficient or inefficient use of water resources, new solutions have been sought. It is an approach that seeks answers to these problems experienced in rural and urban areas within the scope of green infrastructure, develops products and services of nature such as clean air and water, and plans the connection between high-quality natural and semi-natural areas to develop agricultural areas. Bartın has diversity in terms of forests, vegetation, natural beauties, wildlife, agriculture and tourism areas, and cultural heritage. The Ulus district of Bartın possesses very big importance with its plains, plateaus, wildlife, rich ecosystem, and unspoiled nature. Ulus has become a tourist attraction with its natural areas and its location within the Küre Mountains. In this study, six villages of the Ulus district of the Bartın province, which are located in the foothills of Drahna Valley and Küre Mountains National Park, were selected. Suggestions on green infrastructure approach and rural area management have been developed as a result of promoting ecotourism in these settlements having a high level of ecological value and their immediate surroundings, land use conditions, and improving the agricultural practices with the use of water.