Climate-sensitive approaches in single-family house environmental designs: The case of Trabzon

Climate change, the problem of our age, emerges consequently the observed increase or decrease in elements such as temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, precipitation, cloudiness, solar radiation, which make up the climate on a global scale over time. Increasing heat waves, heavy rains, and extreme climatic events caused by climate change are making it imperative to develop sustainable and resilient solutions in residential environments. Green infrastructure systems and ecological design principles are coming to the forefront in single-family house environmental designs to maintain the comfort level in people's living spaces and ensure their balance with nature. In this direction, it has become critical to prefer applications such as rainwater harvesting, installation of green roof and wall systems, use of energy-efficient materials, and natural landscaping to both mitigate and soften the adverse consequences of climate change and create healthier living spaces. In this study, a survey was conducted with 150 single-family homeowners residing in Trabzon. The survey assessed the public's knowledge and level of concern regarding climate change, their views on measures that can be taken in single-family housing and environmental designs, and the actions they have previously implemented. The collected data indicated that while participants were concerned about climate change, many lacked sufficient knowledge about possible preventive measures. Single-family homeowners emphasized that raising public awareness should be a priority among measures to combat climate change. They further highlighted the importance of adopting water-saving systems, utilizing renewable energy, and employing sustainable materials and local plants. Survey respondents identified several climate-sensitive design practices as significant, including energy-efficient building materials, green roof and wall systems, solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and the preservation of natural vegetation.