Searching for traces of ecological nodal points in urban coastal areas: The example of Saros Bay

Coastal areas are the most densely populated residential areas in the world. The unique formation of the coast, the economic activity it provides and its strategic location factors increase the attractiveness of the use of coastal areas. The rich environment provided by the combination of land and sea becomes a point of attraction over time. As a result of this situation, urbanization pressure increases in coastal areas. Intensive use brought about by urbanization damages natural and built environment components. In other words, urbanization not only causes the use of agricultural lands as development areas, but also destroys the natural environment, pollutes water resources and air, and damages the biological richness of flora and fauna. In this research, the development of the concepts of environment and architecture and the relationship between them were examined. Conceptual expansions of city, urbanization, urban environment, coastal areas and their uses, urban ecosystem and ecological node points have been researched with the support of literature. Within the scope of the thesis, a research was conducted on the traces of the ecological nodes of the coastal settlements of Erikli and Yayla, one of the uniquely shaped public areas of Keşan. Urban, transportation and coastal area plans of Erikli and Yayla settlements were superimposed with axonometric drawings and ecological traces were searched at the intersecting nodes. Thoughts have been produced on the positive or negative developments of the ecological traces found. In the continuation of the study, the conceptual basis of which was formed with ecological approaches, sample area analyses were carried out. The study was supported by on-site observation and mapping methods as sample area analyses, and ecological traces were searched for the area. In the conclusion part of the study, the positive or negative traces of the sample areas were transferred to the table systematics in a holistic manner and shared with the readers. According to the results of the research, it was concluded that finding traces of ecological nodes of coastal areas has an important role in ensuring the sustainability of ecological traces in all coastal cities.