Applicability of agricultural tourism in rural development oriented smart city approach: The case of Silivri

In the context of national plans and policy approaches, as emphasized in numerous national and international studies, the significance of agriculture-tourism and smart applications in rural development has been highlighted. Within the framework of the hypothesis that "In rural development, agritourism should be considered as a tool within the framework of smart growth approach," this thesis focuses on the relationship between rural development, agritourism, and smart approaches. With this aim, the study follows a 6-stage method in order to determine strategies for smart agritourism that consider natural and cultural landscape values capable of guiding rural development, taking the example of the Danamandıra, Sayalar, Bekirli, Kurfallı, and Akören neighborhoods in the Silivri district of Istanbul province. After defining the purpose and significance of the study, sample areas for Silivri district were selected. Subsequently, studies involving the application of the smart city concept and technologies in agriculture and tourism in rural areas were examined. In the stage of area analysis, a database was created in the GIS environment for the natural and cultural landscape values of the sample areas. Following the area analyses, the agritourism potentials of the sample areas were determined, and strategies for smart agritourism capable of guiding rural development were identified. The obtained results, including the determination of agritourism potential, highlighting opportunities within this potential, integration with smart agriculture and smart tourism technologies, and contributing to the development of rural settlements, will serve as guidance in decision-making processes for local governments.