Rural dynamics of second home trends in the Eastern Black Sea Region

Abstract

Second homes are typically located in rural settlements on the peripheries of metropolises and in areas where the tourism sector develops, which are mainly in coastal, forested, mountainous, and amenity-rich areas. Motivations for having a second home include investment, outdoor recreation, and connection with nature. However, in the Eastern Black Sea Region (EBSR), second homes appear to follow a different pattern in that, families who migrated to metropolises or abroad tend to have second homes in their native villages. The aim of this study was to gain insights into this unique type of second home investment, which has shown an increasing trend. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with second home owners or users in two selected districts within the EBSR, and the results were summarised in terms of the characteristics of the respondents, motives for having a second home, satisfaction with the investment, evaluation of their second home villages, and characteristics of the native second home and parcel. Six villages located in the Maçka and Çaykara districts of Trabzon Province were selected as the study area. Although the second homes in the EBSR had some similarities with the prevailing type of second home, they differed in many respects. The findings of this study will likely improve the knowledge base that can be drawn upon for housing policies and planning in rural settlements.