Urban green space strategies for the climate change process of semi-arid cities; Siirt example

Climate change is an important process that threatens the sustainability of urban green spaces, especially in semi-arid regions. This study aims to analyze the impacts of climate change on urban green spaces in Siirt city center and develop strategies to support the ecological health and sustainability of these spaces. The research was conducted in four stages. In the first stage, studies were carried out to define the research area, in the second stage, climate change and green space analyzes were carried out. After the third stage, in which the spatial belonging of the local people and their views on green space and climate change were determined, green space strategies were determined in the last stage in the case of Siirt city center. Trends related to climate change were revealed by analyzing temperature and precipitation data for the period 1947-2022 with RClimDex software. Urban sprawl was evaluated with satellite images and SAVI (Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index) method; accessibility and adequacy of green areas were examined by using 500-meter accessibility analysis using ArcGIS software. Plants in green areas were analyzed with plant performance tests, and local people's spatial belonging and perceptions of green areas were evaluated through surveys. The findings show that temperatures have increased in Siirt due to climate change and urban sprawl has negative impacts on the accessibility and adequacy of green spaces. In the study, strategy recommendations for the planning and management of urban green spaces were developed and the importance of local people's participation in these processes was emphasized. In conclusion, this thesis provides a framework for the role of urban green spaces in climate change adaptation for cities in semi-arid regions and makes a unique contribution to literature.