Development of a conceptual landscape planning model proposal for rural areas in urban sprawl zones; The case of Antalya city

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled and unplanned expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural or undeveloped lands, and rural areas around cities often undergo rapid change under the pressure of population growth, increasing housing demand and expanding cities with transportation networks. Proper planning tools are needed in the management of rural sprawl areas with multiple functions such as agricultural production, food security, traditional life and nature conservation. In this thesis, it is aimed to evaluate the natural, physical and social/economic/cultural characteristics of the rural areas in the urban sprawl areas within the borders of the central districts of Antalya city and to propose a holistic and conceptual Landscape Planning Model in transition areas where urban and rural areas are handled together in the light of development goals. In this context, land use (LU)/land cover (LC) changes in Antalya Aksu, Döşemealtı, Kepez, Konyaaltı, Muratpaşa and Serik central districts between 1984-2003 and 2022 and in 3 periods have been revealed, and with the help of the variables determined to be effective in the LU/LC change, the projection of 2041 in the LU/LC uses and the possible future consequences of urbanization have been estimated, Based on this projection, rural areas that will remain within the urban expansion areas and are under the risk of potential change have been identified, strategies have been developed for the rural Çakırlar, Çamlıbel, Gökçam and Zümrüt neighborhoods within the urban expansion and a conceptual Landscape Planning Model has been proposed. The results of the study show that the decisions taken in the city of Antalya have led to the loss of agricultural and natural areas in rural neighborhoods and that biophysical thresholds have remained in the background. In this context, urban sprawl has been monitored by presenting many indicators showing the change and distribution of the urban-rural texture in space with a multidimensional perspective on the causes and consequences of the complex concept of urban sprawl. It is expected that the Conceptual Landscape Planning Model proposed within the scope of the study will address the city, sprawl zones and rural areas together and the results obtained will enable measures to be taken while making planning decisions.