Land Sea Interactions Case in the Mediterranean : Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Planning in Türkiye

Coastal areas are sensitive areas that contain rich natural resource potential and biodiversity, offer important economic opportunities for society, and are under development pressure. Coastal areas, which have been areas of economic and cultural contact between countries where societies have settled and civilizations have developed throughout history, are now used for urban uses, industries, energy terminals, shipyards, second homes, tourism, recreation, maritime trade and transportation, fishing, etc., under the influence of coastalization tendencies. These are regions where activities compete to choose a location.

As a result of these trends, unplanned development tendencies that cause incompatible use of the coasts, destruction of coastal natural resources and disruption of ecological balance are increasing, causing a series of social, economic, environmental and spatial problems.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Planning studies are being carried out in order to bring a new approach to coastal planning and implementation studies, which have become officially binding in Turkey since 2012, and to develop a holistic policy and decision-making process that takes into account all sectors in order to promote the protection and use of coastal areas in a harmonious and balanced manner.

The studies that have been completed and implemented on the Mediterranean coasts of Türkiye are listed below.