Abstract:

Today, environmental problems, which constitute the most important agenda of the world and our country, are the subject of many research and studies. Rapid urbanization processes, especially with the effect of industrialization and population growth, emerge as an important factor affecting the life of not only people but also other creatures living in that region. In the studies carried out in this direction, plans as the planning and implementation tools are important to establish the balance between urbanization and population growth in physical space, with a correct setup by taking into account all the characteristics and values of the space. However, the plans lagged behind the changes in the space, and the cities showed different developments than the plan predictions, forcing the urban development plans to change. With the increase in the importance of the natural environment, the old decisions regarding physical space started to conflict with their conservation processes. Wetlands, which are important for the increase and continuity of biological diversity and where many living species live, were not subject to construction due to the limited urban development until the 1970s, but they were tried to be dried for the purpose of combating epidemic diseases, flood control or obtaining land; after this date although the world has become a party to the conventions for the protection of these areas, it has dried up, damaged and is on the verge of extinction due to the uncontrolled growth of the cities independent of the plans in the 1980s, and due the legislation and local studies which put forward in the 1990s and 2000s. The aim of this study is to discuss the planning history of the “Izmit Bay Wetland”, which is on the migration route of migratory birds among the world bird migration routes in Izmit, which is the subject of intense industrialization and population growth in our country, and to make suggestions for the future by presenting its current situation. The study reveals that industrialization is placed before natural resources in our country, that the solution to the problems in the process of transferring the areas subject to private property to the public hands is considered as narrowing the borders of the protected areas, and what can be done to ensure the sustainability of the vitally important wetlands in Izmit. It tries to create an environment in which concrete steps can be taken in this regard by putting forward the Gulf of Wetland in particular.

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