Eco-city proposal in the context of sustainable urbanization: Kayseri Gesi example

Sustainable urbanization is the most important approach as for the planning of a healthy and livable city. Different city models are developed in order to make cities sustainable. Compact cities, slow cities, learning cities, walking cities, ecologic villages and eco-cities are the leading ones. In this research one of the city models, which is eco-city, is investigated. Gesi which is chosen as a study area and is a part of Kayseri (city) is an important settlement area in terms of natural and cultural landscape properties such as Gesi Bağları (Gesi Orchards). In this study Gesi's natural and cultural landscape properties are described in 1/25000 scale by using netcad technology firstly. Evaluations are made according to European Union sustainability indicators in order to detect Gesi's eco-city potential. Problems and facilities of the study area are determined. Gesi's eco-city potantial is determined according to the data which is obtained by detailed observation in the study area, and by researches at the scale of street. As a result, Gesi "has a potential to be an eco-city". Possible plan decisions, purposes and strategies regarding Ecological Landscape Planning of Gesi are established. As a result Gesi's Ecologic Landscape Plan proposal (1/25000) for sustainable urbanization is developed. There are three subtitles in this plan; areas which have to be protected according to landscape character function, areas which are suitable for controlled usage according to landscape character function and areas which are suitable for usage according to landscape character function. Key Words: Sustainability; Sustainable Urbanization; Sustainable City Models; Eco-City; Ecologic Landscape Plan; Gesi.