Evaluation of urban cemeteries within the context of green infrastructure: Kusadasi case

Cemeteries are important green areas for cities. Cemeteries are forms of land use that must always be found in or around residential areas such as housing, industry, and trade. It is widely believed that cemeteries are burial sites intended only for the dead. But cemeteries are green spaces that belong to the living. However, the planning of cemeteries to serve the inhabitants will also fulfill an important function in the urban open green space system. These areas are potential green areas, which are different from their surroundings with the vegetation they have and whose importance should be addressed with increasing importance in cities where functional green areas are not increased or even decreased. In this context, cemeteries should be considered as green areas as well as burial areas. Based on this requirement, Adalızade Cemetery, which continues to exist as almost the largest green area of the city, in the densely populated area in the city center of Kuşadası, and the newly opened Kuşadası Municipality New Cemetery as a result of the capacity of this cemetery were selected as the research area. In addition to the primary functions of these cemeteries, the ecosystem services they provide to the city and their contributions to the green infrastructure have been evaluated. Suggestions were made in order to strengthen the connection with two cemeteries and other green areas at the city scale.