Utilizing the Geological Diversity for Sustainable Regional Development, a Case Study-Zonguldak (NW Turkey)

Abstract

For a sustainable regional development and geotourism, the detection, utilisation and protection of geological heritage areas is of great significance. In this study, the development of awareness of geological heritage issues in recent years, geosite areas and the geological heritage elements of Zonguldak city centre and adjacent areas are discussed. The mineral waters, caves, faults, landslides, cliffs, quartz sand, column andesite, coal and coal fossils, which contain records traces of the past of the region, have been identified as elements of geological heritage and investigated one by one. It has been found that, as the region has geological formations with scientific, economic and visual value, the Zonguldak basin could be evaluated as a large geopark with its geological diversity identified as geosites. As the geological heritage elements identified in the study area are very important in terms of sustainable regional development, they have been mapped. Furthermore, in terms of geotourism, suggestions are made about the protection, introduction and utilisation of the geological diversity which is identified as geosites. It is believed that, besides their contribution to the sustainable regional development, such studies will help to raise a generation who are conscious about protecting nature and the environment and who have a concept of geological heritage.