Land use alterations in Kusadasi coastal area

Abstract

Abstract Excessive land demand around the coastal zone causes diverse problems. The Tourism Investment Law of 1982 led excessive development of tourism establishments around the coasts. The Law also caused rapid migration to the coastal areas that put more pressure over the natural resources. Factors causing land degradation are disobeying land use plans, lack of investigating the capacity of resources and disobeying the carrying capacities. Most of the agricultural land in Central Kusadasi and Davutlar was covered by the second homes. Further, unplanned development of these homes is also a threat to the forest area nearby (which is also a national park) and the recreational site used particularly by daily visitors. This research investigates the alterations in the land use of Kusadasi. Data were obtained from 1/100 000 scale map of Aydin Province Land Wealth (1997), Kusadasi Tourism Directorate, the Municipality, the Land Use Report of Aydin Province and also the building development schemes. The results indicate some increase in tourism related construction and improper land use in the coastal zone.