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The purpose of this study was to assess the visual quality of proposed rural highway landscape reclamation of the new Bartin-Amasra highway via public perceptions and design approaches. The four objectives of this study were to: (1) analyze the study site's landscape to determine its characteristics, (2) evaluate three landscape reclamation concepts (open, semi-open, and closed) for eight research areas and generate 24 3-D simulations/visualizations, and (3) survey academic staff, public staff, students, and laypeople regarding their preferences of the new Bartin-Amasra highway. The study was conducted at eight sites where landscape reclamation is required on the highway. The survey sampled 300 highway users from four groups to determine their sociodemographic characteristics and use preferences. The data were analyzed by interpreting statistical correlations and frequency analysis. The results found that there were 75 plant species from 39 families in the eight sampled areas. Educational attainment was positively related to preferring to use the highway to watch the sea and scenery, although many highway locations were perceived as negative. The most striking remedies for mitigation were landscaping designs that counter noise and visual pollution and renewal of damaged vegetation. The most positive aspect of the highway was "having an open and closed scenery attribute." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to identify the urban biodiversity in the residential landscapes and user preferences in Bartin urban area, located in the Western Black Sea Region, Turkey. The study was conducted in the residential gardens of the traditional urban fabric and the old urban pattern with conservation status at the national level (dwellings in the urban conservation area and registered buildings in the urban development area), and also in the new urban pattern (housing estates and detached houses). 120 residential gardens were selected and 140 plant species belonging to 57 families were identified. The plant species in the first 10 percent of 140 plants according to user preferences are considered in the statistical analyses. The results of the study indicate that the residential landscapes in the old and new urban pattern of Bartin have a considerable potential in terms of biodiversity. While fruit trees and natural plant species characterize the residential gardens in the old urban pattern, exotic plant species are common in the new urban pattern. The users prefer plants in their gardens for their functional use, rather than aes-thetical use. It is further observed that the users in the old urban pattern use the plants as they grow, whereas the users in the new urban pattern use plants obtained from nursery gardens. Analyzing the urban biodiversity inventory in Bartin at the residential garden scale, this study concludes with some suggestions for sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filyos, which is a coastal town located at the Western Black Sea region of Turkey, in Çaycuma, Zonguldak, has a significant archeological past, and is home of important archeological ruins. Especially during the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C., Filyos had a strategic role in its region, and today it is classified as a historic site. Beside the ancient city of Filyos which is located at the east side, the town is also important for its city walls, the chapel and ruins of an ancient harbor, all from the Byzantine period. A thorough design process that considers the ecological features of the region, users' demands and the archeological features is crucial for the landscape projects in the town. This study aims to reshape the coastline of Filyos to attract touristic activities and to meet the recreational demands of people, while preserving the archeological and ecological features of the region. In this paper, design principles for the use and organization of Filyos coastline are presented, and a survey is conducted to determine users' demand. In the conclusion section, design stages are prepared and strategies for revitalization on the Filyos coastline are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crataegus L. (Hawthorn) taxa have approximately 200 species around the world. Some regions in Turkey are accepted by Dönmez [12] as genetic diversity centers for these taxa, and Western Black Sea Region is one of them. From this regard, Karabük, Yenice and Bartin in Western Black Sea Region were selected as study areas. The main aims of the study are to determine Crataegus L. taxa naturally dispersed in the study areas, and to establish their usage opportunities in landscape applications. In this context, Crataegus L. samples collected in the study areas were identified. In accordance with classification criterias, functional and aesthetic features in planting design were determined by performing examinations on Crataegus L. taxa used in different landscape applications (campus and refuge arrangements) in Ankara. Consequently, eight Crataegus L. taxa, of which two were endemic, were detected in the study areas. In addition, the importance and necessity of benefiting from functional, aesthetic and economic aspects of natural Crataegus L. taxa were emphasized to improve the success rates of landscape applications in Western Black Sea Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to identify the distribution of plant species in the urban public green spaces (UPGS's) of the urbanized area of Bartin, Turkey, and relate the make up of the vegetation to how residents perceive the open spaces both visually and in terms of green space sustainability. The study was conducted in 41 sampled areas in 18 green spaces. These UPGS's were in both old and new urban areas, and were distributed throughout the urbanized area of Bartin. The survey found there were 193 plant species from 59 families in the 41 sampled areas. Based on this survey the present comparative study of UPGS's in both older areas and newer development in Bartn (a) presents the plant species as well as their distribution by family and origin, (b) makes correlations between the socio-demographics of survey participants and their definitions of urban UPGS's, (c) evaluates the sustainability of the UPGS's (on the basis of their aesthetic, ecological, and functional properties), and (d) assesses the visual quality of the UPGSs. A questionnaire was given to 350 participants, and the findings were assessed via a correlation analysis. The findings suggested, with a reliability level of 95%, a statistically significant correlation between the socio-demographics of the participants and their preferences in the changing urban texture (p<0.05). It was determined that whereas users find UPGSs in older urban areas to be more beautiful, traditional and attractive than new parks and gardens in recently developed development (r=0,133*) while it was also determined that the plant texture is richer and has sufficient greenery (r=,176**) in older urban areas. The Bartin public found the gardens of religious buildings in older areas to be more ecological with a score of 3.05 whereas the gardens of public buildings in modern developments were found to be more functional with a score of 3.7 and that park areas with old urban texture characteristics and cemetery areas with new urban texture characteristics were found to be more ecological both with scores of 3.5. When the semantic differential method results are evaluated, it was determined that all expert groups found cemetery areas with both new and old urban texture characteristics to be accessible with a ratio of 32 % and traditional with a ratio of 29 %. UPGSs are an essential component of urban green space planning. Therefore, the present paper provides significant data for further studies on planning, designing and managing UPGSs. More specifically, the sustainability of the vegetation in the UPGSs included in the study is essential for urban ecology and urban planning. The paper concludes with recommendations for development of urban biodiversity, quality of human life, and sustainability of the urban landscape in public open spaces in a city, which is growing at a remarkable rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]