Sustainability of the Mediterranean landscape in the urban: The case study of Antalya-Konyaalti region

Abstract

Antalya has been the centre of culture, art, architecture and mythology throughout its history. With its nature made up of dark blue seas, spectacular Taurus mountains, fervent waterfalls and world known holiday villages is what makes Antalya the capital of Tourism. Human impact on natural landscapes through urbanization era is becoming more and more dramatic and is the cause of serious environmental problems. Urban vegetation increased property values improve privacy and provide many environmental benefits. They reduce heating and cooling costs, reduce pollution, take up carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, provide habitat for wildlife, hold water and reduce soil erosion, but the mature plants that grace our cities today are not easily replaced. This makes care of our existing mature vegetation very important. The classic vegetation structures in Mediterranean-type ecosystems are evergreen shrublands dominated by species with sclerophyllous leaves. These shrublands are termed maquis or garrigue in the Mediterreranean Basin. Arbutus andrachne, Myrtus communis, Witex agnus catus, Nerium oleander, Phillyrea latifolia, Calicotome villosa, etc. maquis species are resistant to summer droughts, have deep rooting systems and resprouting capacity. Unfortunately, it is really difficult to see mature vegetation which belongs to Mediterranean vegetation in Antalya down town. However, the areas that are represent of the Mediterranean vegetation are facing extinction because of rapid urbanization in Antalya Konyaalti region. The aim of this study was to determine the protecting principles to existing Mediterranean vegetation and to put some suggestions for landscape design principles to sustain Mediterranean landscape in the Antalya Konyaalti region.