The Necessity of Integration of Flood Risk Reduction Strategies with Spatial Planning Decisions in Turkey, by Comparing Exemplary Practices in Developed Countries

Abstract

In recent years, floods have obtained a predominant position among natural disasters worldwide, due to their rising number of occurrence and negative impacts. Flood and flash flood events affected many places adversely and caused serious human and material losses in Turkey. The search for a solution related to this problematic issue has become the starting point of the research. Noteworthy factors that increase the risk of flooding in Turkey include the effects of global climate change, increasing number of urban areas, changes in landscape, wrong land use decisions, spatial planning approaches disregarding natural thresholds and the phenomenon of natural risk. In this context, spatial planning approaches are needed to reinforce settlements against flooding disasters and ensure sustainability. In this study, international conferences and approaches of developed countries (United States, European Union and Switzerland) to reducing flood risk were investigated. In this context, this study describes existing legal-administrative structures and practices for the solution of problems caused by floods in Turkey and examines their relationship with spatial planning studies. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that the key to success in all efforts to prevent damages to property caused by floods in Turkey is "the need for ensuring integration of such efforts with spatial planning decisions at all scales", by comparing exemplary practices in developed countries to those in Turkey. In this sense, suggestions are made in relation to the spatial planning regulations and to organizational structure based on the findings of the research in relation to the application in Turkey.