An evaluation of Inebolu-Kastamonu cultural route in accordance with landscape planning criteria

A region needs to be accurately analyzed in terms of planning criteria to demonstrate the existence of a cultural route potential and to ensure its sustainability. The theme of the route and the characteristics of the region should be revealed and alternatives should be developed in line with the related studies to ensure the development and continuity of the existing potential by identifying activities in accordance with regional properties. These alternatives are determined according to planning approaches, characteristics of the field, local residents, regional and local authorities, and visitor expectations. The Istiklal Yolu Cultural Route between İnebolu and Kastamonu is one of the potential cultural routes because it is a historical road with natural and cultural resource values. The aims of this study are determining the natural and cultural landscape resource values, evaluating the culture route potential of the obtained data in terms of landscape planning criteria, preserving and developing the existing potential, suggesting new planning implications for ensuring sustainability in 'Istikal Yolu' cultural route between Inebolu and Kastamonu which selected as case study area. As a method of study, the literature review and observations related to the research area and subject have been made. In addition, a survey was conducted among the visitors who used the route in order to determine the current resource values, utilizations, problems and potentials of the study area and to provide planning suggestions. In the survey study, current usage status of the areas on the route, user expectations and demographic characteristics of the visitors were evaluated statistically and they were interpreted according to their frequency distributions and arithmetic mean values. As a result of the evaluation, it was determined that there were deficiencies in infrastructure, awareness of the local people, capacity of facilities, equipments, promotion and information. At the end of the study, planning suggestions that will ensure the conservation and utilization equilibrium of natural and cultural resources and the development of socio-cultural values and tourism infrastructure are presented with the aim of increasing the potential of the cultural route.