Evaluation of the effects of rapid urbanization on semi-natural and cultural habitats: A case study of Bağlıca and Yapracık neighborhoods in Ankara

Development in transportation network and technology, as well as the increase in population, has accelerated the urbanization process. Therefore, cities expand to the areas outside the city centers. Rapid urbanization has led to the decrease in open spaces, misuse of agricultural lands, jeopardizing the flora and fauna, fragmentation and reduction in natural and cultural habitats, and severe problems on environmental protection. Bağlıca and Yapracık neighborhoods which are addressed in the southwest planning region, and is the most intense region of rapid urbanization in Ankara Province, was chosen as a research area. After determining the biophysical and cultural landscape characteristics of the research area, research method was explained under three main titles: data collecting, evaluation and analysis of the data, and presentation of the results of the analysis and recommendations. Data was obtained through photographs, notes, questionnaire, and surveys in the field. By preparing current land use maps, defining habitat characteristics of the research area, and determining the effects of rapid urbanization on the habitat, the evaluation was carried out. Current urban land use map was prepared by overlapping the maps obtained through ArcMap 10.2. Habitat characteristics and land use classification were made by taking landscape specific photographs, field studies, written resources, digital maps and plans into consideration. According to the land use map, it seen that the agricultural areas are in the majority. This is followed by residential areas. Transportation networks, forest areas, mining areas, military areas, industrial areas and training areas are other areas uses. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, the habitats in the research area were classified under 9 main and 27 sub-headings: Main habitats in the area, agricultural areas, woodlands and hedge plants on the border of agricultural areas, deciduous residual tree communities and coniferous afforestation areas, river zone, transportation zone, mining areas, residential areas, industrial areas, education areas. In the study, while determining the effects of the rapid urbanization on habitats, SWOT and survey were utilized in addition to the analysis of data related to field studies, current land use and habitat characteristics. A survey was conducted with 96 people living in Yapracık and Bağlıca neighborhoods. The form of the questionnaire applied in the research is given in ANNEX-1 and consists of three main sections. The first section consists of questions for visual evaluation, the second section consists of questions related to the use of space and the last section consists of questions about the person. In the first part, visual quality evaluation of 15 photographs taken from the area was made. In the second part, opinions about the use of land were stated. In the third part, the questions were asked about the demographic characteristic of the people who were surveyed. The data of the survey studies were analyzed with SPSS-24 program. According to the analysis obtained from the research findings, it was seen that the agricultural areas were used as settlements, transportation network and university settlements today. The growing demand for housing, the expansion of the residential areas and the development of the transportation networks can be shown as the leading causes of the disintegration of agricultural areas. In addition, the hydrology structure that changes for various reason, the operation of mining areas, the presence of industrial facilities, and the increasing number of students in university campuses caused pressure on semi-natural and cultural habitats. According to the findings obtained from the surveys, dominant area uses (settlements, transportation etc.) have a negative impact on semi-natural and cultural habitats. In order to reduce the impacts on these habitats and prevent habitats losses, urban planning is required by keeping biophysical and cultural landscape elements in mind. In order to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural areas and at the same time to bring them in tourism, it should be encouraged uses such as Tatuta and urban agricultural farms. Food safety must be ensured for healthy and reliable products. Urban space planning and sustainability should be ensured by landscape architects and various professional disciplines. Keywords: Ankara; Bağlıca; habitat fragmentation; rapid urbanization; urban landscape Yapracık province.