Integration of planning models and GIS in defining urban development areas

Abstract

In developing countries, besides high rate of urbanisation, urban areas develop spontaneously, are unplanned and/or uncontrolled, hence ecological resources cannot be intentionally allocated. Local authorities are barely able to manage the pace of urban development and its impact on the environment. This causes serious environmental problems from macro- to micro-scale. The main problem is the dichotomy between protection of the environment and sustainability in urbanisation and economic growth. In the international arena, this problem is on the agenda, but in Turkey it is overlooked. The aim of the study is to define spatial development strategies of urban areas in the framework of environmental factors and related measures that consider ecological interest and reduce urban land development costs. Also, a methodology is suggested for urban development planning that is sensitive to the environment by integrating Arc/Info and TRANUS models. The method, which helps planners and decision-makers in planning, is convenient to predict the affects of development scenarios on population and employment location, depending on certain assumptions. The model is applied to Trabzon and her city region in northeast Anatolia.

Keywords:

• GIS
• planning model
• sustainability development
• urban development potential
• TRANUS-Loc model
• ecological-economic planning