Environment In Turkey Research Articles

The investigation of the attitudes of geography teachers towards environment in Turkey

This study was carried out to reveal whether the attitudes of the geography teachers in Turkey towards the environment change according to different variables, using ‘’Attitude Scale” for 404 geography teachers working in various high schools throughout the country. The data were analysed by SPSS statistical software. The result revealed that the environmental attitudes of the geography teachers in Turkey are very high and the ones who took environmental related courses after graduation were observed to have a much more positive attitude towards the environment than those who never studied such a course. It was also observed that the teachers who were the members of the environmentally related NGOs, those who had higher level of curiosity and those who were willing to carry out environmental studies had more positive attitudes than those who did not get involved in such activities. The data were also in favor of those who participated in environmental projects and the frequency of this participation. Key words: Geography, geography teachers, environment, attitude

Increasing Social Awareness and Professional Collaboration in Architectural Education Towards a Sustainable and Disaster-Free Future

The aim of this study is to explore ways of increasing the social and professional awareness of students of architecture to educate a new generation of architects who are familiar with the concepts of social responsibility, professional collaboration, sustainable development and disaster mitigation. Turkey experiences a rapid social change due to the urban regeneration, population movements, environmental changes, new technologies and professional diversification. These phenomenon affect all aspects of life. This study explores the possibilities for applying new methods of teaching in schools of architecture to train a generation of architects who will be in tune with this new, ever-changing socio-cultural environment in Turkey. A study lasting one educational term of 14 weeks was conducted on a group of 15 second year students of architecture. A structural design course which previously had a purely theoretical and mathematical approcah to the subject matter was altered to contain background information regarding social context such as the photos, videos and narratives of earthquake affected areas of Turkey. This was done to introduce the students with the reality of the built environment and professional life in Turkey. Additionally small-scale applied projects were given as semester tasks to the students where they can experience a scaled but realistic application of the theoretical knowledge into reality. These two approaches were supplemented with theoretical knowledge to prepare the students for professional life in a realistic manner. A sudden increase in student attention and participation to the course was observed both in matters concrening the professional application and social context of their architectural projects. These findings were consistent with a previous study conducted by the author. The findings of this experimental application have resulted in a revision of the educational curriculum concerning the structural design courses to permanently include information regarding the social context and practical application of theoretical projetcs.

Urban Development Process of Built Environments in Metropolitan Areas in Turkey: Case Study of Angora Settlement, Ankara

The built environments of metropolitan areas are rapidly changing in response to urban development dynamics. The nature of the urban built environment continues to be influenced by the conflicting interests and expectations of various entities involved in the process of development planning and implementation. The formulation and implementation of urban development plans in Turkey is guided by the statutory provisions of the country’s planning system. This process has led to piecemeal implementation through partial plans and plan amendments in metropolitan areas. This article attempts to determine how the private sector in metropoles in Turkey shaped the built environment in Turkey after 1980. Influence of neo-liberal policies and a partial planning approach set by a free-market economy instead of a comprehensive planning approach shaped urban space. As a capital, the urban development of Ankara has mostly been shaped by partial planning approaches and implementations and uncontrolled developments, especi...

The negative effects of construction boom on urban planning and environment in Turkey: Unraveling the role of the public sector

Construction sector is usually accepted as the engine that triggers economic growth due to its strong backward and forward linkages with other sectors. On the other hand, it is also argued that increased construction activity could end up with negative economic, social and environmental impacts. The literature emphasizes the role of public sector, especially the national governments in minimizing the negative impacts of construction activity. The related arguments mostly postulate that public sector is well aware of the environmental challenges caused by construction activity and devoted to the understanding of how to improve the sustainability performance of private developers. Yet the case of Turkey provides significant evidences to question these assumptions. In this respect, this paper elaborates on the negative impacts of increased construction activity in Turkey and argues the role of public sector in intensification of the negative environmental effects through deregulation on urban planning and housing production by public agencies. The findings of the research highlight the importance of sustainable construction and verify the need for mainstreaming of sustainable construction into public policy-making at national and local levels, especially in developing countries, where most, if not all, of the future urban population growth will take place.

Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment in Turkey

There is an increasing consensus in both the scientific and political communities, that a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to limit the magnitude and extent of climate change. Renewable energy systems already reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector. Turkey is heavily dependent on expensive imported energy resources that place a big burden on the economy, and air pollution is becoming a great environmental concern in the country. The major cities of western Turkey are cosmopolitan centers of industry, finance, and trade, whereas the eastern part of the country is relatively underdeveloped. Turkey's high rate of energy-related carbon emissions growth is expected to accelerate, with emissions climbing from 57 million tons in 2000 to almost 210 million tons in 2020. Carbon intensity in Turkey is higher than the western developed national average. For example, Turkey's total CO2 emissions amounted to 239 million tons in 2006. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be one of the most efficient and effective solutions for clean and sustainable energy development in Turkey. This article presents a review for developments of climate change, energy, and environment in Turkey.

How Much Entrepreneurial Characteristics Matter in Strategic Decision-Making?

The main object of this paper is to examine the effects of entrepreneurial characteristics on the dimensions of strategic decision-making (SDM) process. Thus the research was conducted with 308 Turkish women entrepreneurs listed in The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)’s members in the form of local chambers of commerce and industry. As the results of analyses, women entrepreneurs’ risk propensity have negative effect on their rational SDM process where as their risk propensity have positive effect on their formalized and centralized SDM process controlling environmental dynamism. Results show that women entrepreneurs with high need for achievement tend to make less rational SDs and centralize authority into the hands of themselves in dynamic environments. According to the results of analyses, women entrepreneurs with internal locus of control are more likely to make less rational decisions; favor more formalized processes and centralization. Results also show that optimistic women entrepreneurs make SDs based on subjective factors instead of rational SDs but follow more rule formalization in dynamic environments. According to findings, it can be suggested that women entrepreneurs’ aggressive and proactive behavior lead them to make less rational decisions. Also they tend to follow more rule formalization in dynamic environments. Nevertheless, results also show women entrepreneurs with innovativeness tend to deal with novel and complex problems while adopting innovations. However, they make rational decisions while following rule formalization and do not delegate SDM authority. Furthermore, from the results of the analyses it is seen that entrepreneurial characteristics matter most in rational SDM process. This study's theoretical contribution is examination of effects of entrepreneurial characteristics on dimensions of SDM process in a comprehensive model; proposing new variables in the model and filling this gap in the research. Furthermore, this study's practical contribution is there is lack of research that consists of stated variables in our model conducted in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) especially with women entrepreneurs. And finally, the methodological contribution of this study is investigation of predictors of SDM process in the context of entrepreneurial characteristics and business environment in Turkey, a developing country; it shows the external validity of factors influence on SDM process which were tested in Western developed countries.

Turkish Investors’ Foreign Portfolio Investments

The objective of this paper is to examine Turkish investors’ foreign asset holdings from the perspective of both the “international portfolio diversification” and the “home bias” literature using asset holdings data from the IMF’s “Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey” (CPIS). For years, the scope of the related empirical literature had been bounded with limited data availability since the estimation of cross-border investment positions using flows data would be misleading (see Warnock F., 2002, Home Bias and High Turnover Reconsidered, Journal of International Money and Finance). Despite some shortcomings, the CPIS data files present a reliable perspective to evaluate countries’ portfolio positions. As a rule of thumb, the more home-biased are local investors in a country, the less they are likely to benefit from the international diversification gains. Indeed, since the mid-1980s, the investment environment in Turkey had been gradually liberalized. Given this facilitated access to global capital markets, local investors transacting solely within the domestic market should also exploit the presumed gains from international diversification. Thus, I propose a comparative analysis of Turkish investors’ aggregate external positions along with a number of developed and emerging economies to reveal out the extent to which local investors in Turkey overlook (or consider) portfolio investment alternatives abroad compared to their counterparts in other countries. The analysis show that Turkish investors are particularly home-biased compared to other investors in OECD countries. Yet, a simple international mean-variance model suggests that the optimal domestic portfolio share ranges between 10 to 30% for reasonable degrees of risk aversion puzzle.

Structural Change, the Social Policy Environment and Female Employment in Turkey

ABSTRACTSince the 1970s, a series of demand and supply related changes have led to significant labour market transformations which have brought about a sustained increase in female employment throughout the world. While similar transformations have also been underway in Turkey, the country appears to be one of the rare exceptions to worldwide trends. During the last two decades both female labour force participation and female employment rates have declined at national level. In this article, two sets of questions are posed to explore the factors likely to influence female labour force participation. One set of questions pertains to the society‐specific dynamics of structural change in employment patterns in Turkey, with particular reference to the level and composition of employment in the service sector. A second set of questions is posed to examine labour market relations and the social policy environment in Turkey, and their impact on the demand for and supply of female labour. Current changes in the prevailing policy environment are considered to highlight a certain contradiction in the attitudes of decision makers who seem to be faced with a trade‐off between continuing adherence to conservative patriarchal values and the objectives of increasing labour force participation and combating poverty.

The library of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: a new type of art museum library for Turkey

Libraries can easily be integrated into a museum’s activities, since museums too have functions that require the processing of information, such as preservation, research and communication. However museums in Turkey were not notable for developing efficient art libraries until Istanbul Museum of Modern Art opened. The distinctiveness of this museum’s library results from a change in the museum environment in Turkey, and the introduction of a number of features that are new in art libraries in this country.

For Sustainable Development: Some Aspects on Energy and Environment in Turkey

The high energy demand in Turkey is closely linked to economic growth, industrialization, and population increase. Turkish general energy policies are designed to support economic and social development. Natural conditions of Turkey are favorable for utilization of new and renewable energies, such as hydraulic energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass energy, solar energy, and, probably, nuclear energy. As the use of hydraulic and coal in Turkey will reach its full capacity by 2020, imported natural gas, coal, and other resources will be used to meet the energy demand. By 2020, approximately 75% of final energy demand and 67% of electricity supply will be met by coal, oil, and natural gas. Energy investments, which are closely related with the environmental protection, require massive financial resources. It is also important to use standardized equipment and materials in all areas of energy generation, transmission, distribution, and trade. For a sustainable development, the next investments on industry should be made for the clean technologies in regard with being environment-friendly.

Struggles for Integration of the Technologies into Learning Environment in Turkey

Struggles for Integration of the Technologies into Learning Environment in Turkey

Effects of seed size and in-row spacing on growth and yield of early potato in a mediterranean-type environment in Turkey.

Optimizing plant density and seed size are the most important subjects of early potato production systems in mediterranean-type environments due to their effects on seed cost, plant development, yield and quality of the crop. The effects of different in-row spacing (20, 25, 30 and 35 cm) and seed size (small, medium and large) treatments on yield components and tuber yield of early potato were studied in Adana, where is situated in the east mediterranean region of Turkey, during 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. It was determined that closer spacing reduced tuber number per hill, average tuber weight, tuber yield per hill and percentages of large and medium size tubers. Total yields increased as increasing planting density up to 20 cm spacing. Planting larger seeds positively affected all growth and yield components in both years. Tuber yield per hectare was increased up to certain stem density and then started to decline at all seed sizes. However, the optimum stem density for the maximum tuber yield per hectare markedly differed depending on size of seed tubers. The optimum stem density increased with increasing seed size. Our findings indicated that size of seed tuber has further importance for growth of potato plant as well as competition aspect in early potato production in the mediterranean-type environments. Hence it was concluded that using larger tubers had an advantage for vigorous early growth and for obtain high tuber yield in early potato production in the mediterranean-type environments. Seed size should be considered during recommendation for planting density in potato production. Key words: Seed size, in-row spacing, early potato, competition.

The relationship between income and environment in Turkey: Is there an environmental Kuznets curve?

In this study, we investigate the relationship between income and environmental quality for Turkey at two levels. First, the relationship between the CO 2 emissions and per capita income is examined by the help of a time series model using cointegration techniques. In the second stage, the relationship between income and air pollution is investigated by using PM 10 and SO 2 measurements in Turkish provinces. In this part of the study panel data estimation techniques are utilized. The time series model covers 1968–2003, and the panel data model covers 1992–2001 including observations from 58 provinces. A monotonically increasing relationship between CO 2 and income is found in the long-run according to time series analysis. On the other hand, panel data analysis indicates an N-shape relationship for SO 2 and PM 10 emissions. Therefore, the results of our time series and panel data analyses do not support the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, which assumes an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and income.

Universities and University Libraries in Turkey

This article draws a picture of the education system and library environment in Turkey. It starts off with a brief overview of the Turkish education system and the proportion of the population involved in formal and informal education. As 44% of the Turkish population is under 25, there is a big demand for higher education in Turkey. This demand drives the authorities to open new universities and provide higher education for more young people. 54 new universities have been established since 2000. University librarians try to cope with this rapid increase and create functional libraries. Librarians have started to cooperate closely within the framework of ANKOS (Anatolian University Libraries Consortium) since 2000. ANKOS is one of the successful examples of library consortiums.

The effects of nitrogen and iron fertilization on growth, yield and fertilizer use efficiency of soybean in a Mediterranean-type soil

Poor seed yield of soybean in Mediterranean-type environments may result from insufficient iron (Fe) uptake and poor biological nitrogen (N) fixation due to high bicarbonate and pH in soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of N and Fe fertilization on growth and yield of double cropped soybean (cv. SA 88, MG III) in a Mediterranean-type environment in Turkey during 2003 and 2004. The soil of the experimental plots was a Vertisol with 176 g CaCO 3 kg −1 and pH 7.7 and 17 g organic matter kg −1 soil. Soybean seeds were inoculated prior to planting with commercial peat inoculants. N fertilizer rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha −1 of which half was applied before planting and the other half at full blooming stage (R2). Fe fertilizer rates were 0, 200 and 400 g Fe EDTA (5.5% Fe and 2% EDTA) ha −1. It was sprayed as two equal portions at two trifoliate (V2) and at five trifoliate stages (V5). Plants were sampled at flower initiation (R1), at full pod (R4) and at full seed (R6) stages. Application of starter N increased biomass and leaf area index at R1 stage whereas Fe fertilization did not affect early growth parameters. N application continued to have a positive effect on growth parameters at later stages and on seed yield. Fe fertilization increased growth parameters at R4 and R6 stages, and final seed yield in both years. This study demonstrated an interactive effect of N and Fe fertilization on growth and yield of soybean in the soil having high bicarbonate and pH. There was a positive interaction between N and Fe at the N rates up to 80 kg N ha −1. However, further increase in N rate produced a negative interaction. Fertilization of soybean with 80 kg N ha −1 and 400 g Fe ha −1 resulted in the highest seed yield in both years. We concluded that application of starter and top dressed N in combination with two split FeEDTA fertilization can be beneficial to improve early growth and final yield of inoculated soybean in Mediterranean-type soils.

Social Policy Change in Countries without Mature Welfare States: The Case of Turkey

AbstractAs part of the institutional changes in Turkey since the 1980s that laid down the foundations of a market economy, the transformation of the social security system has recently come on the agenda. This article discusses the possible outcome of this transformation by situating the case of Turkey in the context of the contemporary international social policy environment shaped by neo-liberal globalization.It is possible to suggest that throughout the world a new system of welfare governance has recently emerged, which is characterized, first, by a novel emphasis on workfare as opposed to welfare. It modifies, second, redistributive action by the state through diverse partnerships between the state, private sector and voluntary initiatives in the provision of social care and public services. The impact of this new system of welfare governance on social policy is especially important in less developed countries where the role of the state in welfare provision is recently being taken more seriously. With the new emphasis on workfare accompanied by the increasing role of non-state actors, the newly introduced social policy measures might not necessarily consolidate the basis of citizenship rights but they might mainly serve to keep under control the socio-economic insecurity aggravated by the expansion of market relations. This observation is of particular significance for the analysis of the contemporary social policy environment in Turkey that this article presents.

Effects of sowing date and growth duration on growth and yield of groundnut in a Mediterranean-type environment in Turkey

Matching the phenology of the crop to the duration of favorable conditions by selecting the most appropriate sowing dates to avoid periods of stress is crucial for maximum yield. A 2-year field study was conducted to assess the effects of climatic factors on groundnut growth and yield at various dates of sowing in a Mediterranean-type environment at Hatay, Turkey in 2001 and 2002. Two cultivars (NC 7 and Com) were sown at five sowing dates (15 April, 1 May, 15 May, 1 June and 15 June) to expose the groundnut plant to a variety of climatic conditions, and were harvested at 120, 140 or 160 days after emergence. Sowing dates, cultivars and growth durations significantly affected to pod yield, number of pod per plant, shelling percentage, 100-seed weight, biomass, harvest index, crop growth rate, and oil and protein content. Very early sowing before 1 May did not generate any advantage for earliness and yield due to sub-optimal temperature for vegetative growth. Our results revealed that the most suitable period for groundnut sowing is between mid-May and early June for the eastern Mediterranean region since plants expose to suitable temperature regimes during the vegetative and the reproductive growth stages, and receive more solar radiation and sunshine duration during the entire growing period. Lengthening of growth duration had positive effect on yield at early sowings, but satisfactory yield level can be achieved with 140 days growth duration using current cultivars. It is also possible to obtain over 3.0 t ha −1 pod yield, which is considered as acceptable level by the grower in the region with shorter growth duration in double crop production. It was concluded that Mediterranean climate offers a long and suitable environment having at least 160 calendar days or 2400–2500 °Cd thermal time for both main and double crop production of the groundnut with acceptable yield levels.

Verbal and physical abuse against nurses in Turkey

This study of verbal and physical abuse against nurses in Turkey aimed to describe prevalence, sources, important effects on work, family and social life of the nurses, coping methods and factors. A sample of 622 nurses working in eight hospitals located in the capital city of Turkey was surveyed using verbal and physical abuse questionnaires. The prevalence of verbal and physical abuse against nurses in the sample of this study were found to be as 91.1% and 33.0% respectively. Colleagues were found to be the most important source of verbally abusive behaviours while patients and patients' relatives were the important sources of physically abusive behaviours. Disturbed mental health, decreased job performance and headache were the more frequently reported negative effects of verbal and physical abuses on nurses. The most common reactions against abusive behaviours were anger, helplessness, humiliation and depression. It is interesting to find that 'did nothing' was the most reported coping method with verbal abuse. The findings also suggested that working in inpatient units and increasing work experience in the nursing profession were statistically significant variables increasing the likelihood of being abused physically. All the results on sources, negative effects, feelings and coping methods on verbally and physically abusive behaviours lead us to discuss that lower working status and power of the nurses at the work, poor working conditions in healthcare settings and insufficient administrative mechanisms as well as law and regulations against the abusers are the important factors forcing the nurses to work in an inappropriate work environment in Turkey.

Problems of Collective Action and Institutionalization in the Turkish Policymaking Environment

This essay deals with the aspects of the macroeconomic policy environment in Turkey. The study attributes the impotency of the policy to the collective action problems of policymakers and policy appropriators, to the high transaction costs imposed by the representative institutions, and to the relations between the state and interest groups. In summary, it focuses analytical attention on the collective action problems of the state and of societal actors as the main determinants of an ambivalent, ambiguous, adversarial, and unsystematic form of interest representation and policymaking. The argument is that the unawareness and pragmatic rationality of state and societal actors about their mutual dependence and needs for cooperation, collaboration, and correspondence for effective information‐gathering, policymaking, and implementation inhibit the attempts to solve collective action problems and socioeconomic dilemmas.

Sexual Harassment Against Nurses in Turkey

To identify the prevalence and sources of sexual harassment against nurses in Turkey, its consequences, and factors affecting harassment experiences. Descriptive survey. Participants (N=622) were selected from nurses working in eight Ministry of Health hospitals in Turkey. Participants were surveyed with a Sexual Harassment Questionnaire, consisting of the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, types of sexual harassment, sources, feelings, ramifications, and ways to cope with sexual harassment behaviors. Frequency and percentage distributions, chi-square, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The results showed 37.1% of participants had been harassed sexually. Physicians were identified as the primary instigators of sexual harassment. The most common reactions against harassers were anger and fear; frequently reported negative effects of sexual harassment were disturbed mental health function, decline in job performance, and headache. "Did nothing" was the coping method used most commonly by the nurses. About 80% of sexually harassed nurses did not report the incident of sexual harassment to hospital administration. The lower working status and power of nurses in the workplace, poor working conditions in healthcare settings, and insufficient administrative mechanisms, including the present law and regulations against sexual harassers, were identified as important factors in the work environment in Turkey.