Life Quality of Residential Areas in the Coastal Settlements of Turkey

Abstract

Within the studies for the sustainable development of coastal areas, the urbanization process of the settlements in these areas appears as one of the most important factors of this context. In parallel to this urbanization process, residential areas emerge as one of the main topics that need to be studied. Residential areas are such urban places that human beings spend most of their time. As a result of both the variety of human needs and also of the complex structure and the meaning of the residence and its close proximity that covers many functions, residential areas emerge as the areas taking the biggest share of the urban pollution. Today an examination of the land use of residential areas shows that, as well as houses, many different functions such as schools, parks, business buildings, police stations, religious institutions etc. take place in these areas. Additionally, some basic infrastructure, like drainage systems, water systems, power distribution systems, telephone exchange systems, gas distribution systems and so on, also take place in residential areas. For the sustainability of coastal areas, urban settlements in these areas, and especially the residential areas within these settlements, should be designed, developed, managed, protected and improved, in parallel to the needs and requirements of the residents. In this context, this study will explicate the subjective and objective criterion for livability of residential areas within the coastal settlements, for the purpose of sustainability of these areas. The results of a livability analysis, made in a certain residential area of Kocaeli, Turkey, shall also be submitted and investigated.