Ecological approaches in urban planning and evaluati̇on of eco-city examples

Within the scope of this research, the concept of an ecological approach, how ecological approaches are utilized in planning and which criteria an eco-city should consider are examined. In this study, the examples of eco-cities in the world and Turkey are investigated by scanning the concepts and the criteria of eco-cities. In line with the criteria of successful eco-cities, the answer is sought to the question of "What are the criteria for a successful eco-city?". In the first part of the thesis, the subject, scope and method of the study are given. This section includes a hypothesis, main question and sub-questions. Within the scope of all these hypotheses and questions, the definitions of the concepts are mentioned in the second part. Research has been done on the history, aims and criteria of the concept of ecological planning. In the study, examples from the world and Turkey were examined based on four strategies created within the framework of the criteria set out in the research. These four strategies are; transportation, waste and recycling, ecosystem and austerity and renewable energy sources. The success criteria for eco-city projects analyzed in the context of these strategies are outlined in the fifth chapter. In the second part of the research, by researching the concepts; "What are the importance and criteria of ecological approaches?" and "What is the role of ecological approaches in urban planning? What are the contributions to the city, to the people, to the health of the city and people?" are the questions that sought answers to. In the third part of the thesis, the eco-city approaches that exist in the world are discussed, and the successful eco-city projects are analyzed. As a result of this review, this study sought to answer the following questions; "How are ecological approaches in the world adopted in urban planning?" and "What kind of sub-projects are being implemented in eco-cities?". In the fourth section of the study, the existing eco-city attitude and the planned eco-city projects in Turkey are examined. Under the review, "What are the ecological approaches in urban planning in Turkey? What are the eco-city projects planned in Turkey? are the questions that sought answers to. The fifth chapter, among the eco-cities that have been examined, it is aimed to explain the criteria that the successful projects in Turkey and the world have achieved success by adhering to. After analysing the successful eco-cities, it aims to reveal the criteria that lead them to success. Along with this goal, the hypothesis of the thesis, "The success of urban ecological planning, which has been adopted and planned based on certain criteria, has a curative and protective role for the city and natural resources", was trying to be defended. Keywords: Ecological Approach, Urban Planning, Eco-city Concept