Landscape Character Analysis in Rural Areas “Sample of Kastamonu Gölköy and Its Surroundings”

Abstract

The planning and management of landscapes have been reviewed in the European Landscape Convention (ELC) and the need to identify landscape character areas has been emphasized. The determination of Landscape Character Types (LCT) at the local level is of great importance in order to ensure sustainable development in rural areas, correct management of the shelter values and determination of usage strategies. In this study, which aims to evaluate rural settlements with character determination and sustainability approach, the landscape variables of Kastamonu-Gölköy settlement and its immediate surroundings are mapped and analysed with Landscape Character Analysis (LCA) approach. For this purpose, the geology, large soil groups, geomorphology, slope groups, are a usage maps of the area were digitized with Geographic Information Systems software and character types were determined by synthesizing them. As a result of the study, 133 landscape character types were determined. It is thought that the acquired character types will serve as a base in rural planning and landscape management studies carried out at the national and local level and will contribute to the formation of landscape policies.