Istanbul Ayamama river floodplain management plan

Water is a vital part of Earth and it is necessary for living organisms to sustain their lives. Fundamental source of life, water, which cannot be fully substituted is becoming more and more strategic. Succession of stages through which water passes from the atmosphere to the earth and returns to the atmosphere: evaporation from the land or sea or inlandwater, condensation to form clouds, precipitation, accumulation in the soil or in bodies of water, and re-evaporation. While the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and other ground waters are highly affected by external influences such as environmental and air pollution, climate change and urbanization it causes hydrological cycle to deteriorate In recent years while drought is seen in some parts of the world including our country some other important climatic changes have come to the fore. As a result of this flood disasters have been more frequent and severe.However it is not possible to define floods only as a result of meteorological events.The harms floodwaters cause shows a rapidly increasing trend as a result of recent unplanned urbanization. The urbanization activities as a result of industrialization and sector diversification in regions where economic development activities are intensely ongoing increase the diversity and intensity of human activities in various sections of the river basins susbtantially.In our country there is a great migration trend from rural areas to industrial areas as a result of rapid population growth. This causes rapid development and urbanization near town centers in order to meet the need for shelter of the people.Various structures are being built on and near dry stream beds and side stream beds that are located in these areas. Growing settlements in river basins, new roads and newly established facilities change the terrain. Soil is used more intensely with unfavorable farming methods. Forests and pastures are being destroyed. Under all these circumstances more severe flood disasters are seen more frequently. In this study "Floodplain Management Plan" belonging to Ayamama River which passes through Esenler, Bağcılar, Başakşehir, Bahçelievler, Küçükçekmece and Bakırköy counties that are in Ataköy Wastewater Basin amd reaching Marmara Sea was made. Ayamama River which is one of the rivers with flood risk in Istanbul Metropolitan Area has a strategic value as it passes through major housing and industrial areas. "Ayamama River Floodplain Management Plan" was prepared in a similar format with FEMA standarts. However AFAD TAMP (Disaster & Emergency Management Authority Turkey Emergency Response Plan) was taken as an example while the plan was made by taking into account the local hazards, risks and needs.