Detection and evaluation of illegal construction in pasture and highland areas: The case of Bolu province

The primary aim of this thesis study is to employ advanced high-resolution remote sensing data and geographic information systems to ascertain the temporal evolution of construction activities on summer pasturelands within the Atyaylası region of Bolu Province, Türkiye. Additionally, the thesis seeks to engage in a comprehensive discourse regarding land policies aimed at pastureland management in light of the aforementioned investigation. Upon meticulous examination of the current land use, a considerable number of constructions have been observed on pasture assets, notably employed as residential and tourist facilities. It is noteworthy that Article 45 of the Turkish Constitution establishes the state's responsibility to prevent the misuse and degradation of pasturelands, and the Pasture Law explicitly prohibits any form of construction on these vital assets across Turkey. Notwithstanding these stringent legal regulations, scrutiny of satellite imagery of the Atyaylası region for the years 2014, 2018, and 2021 reveals that construction and road development activities within the pastures have more than doubled compared to previous years. These activities have been quantified and mapped for all villages in Atyaylası. Based on computations, the number of structures in Atyaylası was 322 in 2014, escalating to 672 in 2021. This constitutes a surge of 108.7%. The settlement within the Atyaylası area witnessing the most significant increase in construction is Kürkçüler, with an augmentation of 168.8%. The construction boasting the highest number of structures is Paşaköy. Evidently, the Implementation of Development Amnesty Law, enacted in 2018, has further catalyzed these construction pursuits. Pasture lands stand as an integral facet of communal public property safeguarded by law. Consequently, they ought to be employed in the service of public interest and in support of ecological sustainability. Nonetheless, the findings of this study illustrate that the prevailing trend in Turkey does not align with this vital imperative.