SUSTAINABILITY OF URBAN FRINGES. CASE STUDY OF ARNAVUTKOY, ISTANBUL

This study explores the challenges for landscape planning in urban fringes in connection with the preservation of ecosystem services. It further discusses three mega-projects which are projected for Istanbul: 3rd Airport, 3rd Bridge and Canal Istanbul; and their effects on future sustainability of ecological values in the Amavutkoy district. The necessity for the protection of ecosystem services within urban fringes of Istanbul changed within the uncontrolled urbanisation after 1950's and the ongoing urban extension with transition of rural areas to urban ones. The global problems such as soil sealing, water scarcity and food crisis are significant threats urbanisation poses toward ecosystem services. Sustainable environmental management deals with finding the most appropriate land use management. One of the significant properties today includes urban fringe; the area of dynamic intersection where both urban and rural characteristics occur. In this paper, the issue of 'Ecosystem services' loss/changes on ecosystems (terrestrial and marine ecosystems) in the domain of three mega-projects is evaluated related to water policy, open space and earthquake response strategy, and biodiversity.