Examination of urban to rural migration and its effects on rural areas: The case of Çanakkale

In recent years, individuals have increasingly turned toward rural areas due to the intensity of urban life, environmental problems, and the high cost of living. This trend is shaped by a desire to be closer to nature, to live a simpler life, to engage in production, and to access clean food. In Turkey, migration is particularly directed toward coastal rural regions and the peri-urban areas of major cities. In this context, the main aim of the study is to examine the migration motivations of individuals relocating from urban to rural areas, their adaptation processes to rural life, their perceptions of rurality, and the impacts of these migrations on rural areas. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative part, in-depth interviews were conducted with 45 participants residing in 16 villages across the Ayvacık and Bayramiç districts of Çanakkale, and field observations were carried out. The quantitative data is based on satellite imagery, cadastral maps, and land use analyses. The findings reveal that the main motivation behind migration decisions is the search for a better quality of life. Adaptation processes are shaped by social relations, production practices, and perceptions of place. Furthermore, the study shows that these migration movements have led to various changes and transformations in the social, economic, spatial, environmental, and ecological dimensions of rural areas Key Words: Urban to Rural Migration, Urban to Rural Migration in Turket, Transformation of Rural, Impacts on Rural Areas