Assessing coastal development using viewshed analysis: A case study of Erdemli (Mersin)

Viewshed analysis is the research of the relationships between a set of observation points and target point(s). In this study the construction of Mediterranean coastal town of Erdemli and the sea viewshed of areas behind these constructions were investigated using viewshed analysis. In this respect, construction units of Erdemli and its environment were digitized using Quickbird satellite image and the height data of buildings were collected through field studies. Surface models, which represent coastal constructions of four sample areas, were produced by combining Digital Elevation Model and the building elevation data to employ viewshed analysis. Outputs were used for the evaluating of four sample areas. Finally impacts of the construction process of Erdemli coastal zone on sea visibility and also the benefits of the viewshed analysis for planning and management of coastal areas were discussed.