Journal of Spatial Planning and Design

From Circular Economy to Circular Water Systems: Conceptual Evolution And Governance Approaches in The Literature

Şaziye Lofcalı — 2025-05-28

ABSTRACT

This study examines the concepts of circular economy and circular water economy within a historical, theoretical, and strategic framework. Circular economy approaches, developed as alternatives to linear production-consumption models, are based on resource efficiency, waste minimization, and closed-loop system design. The circular water economy expands these principles into water management, encompassing not only the reuse of water, but also energy and nutrient recovery, infrastructure efficiency, social inclusivity, and climate resilience. Bibliometric analysis conducted through the Scopus database reveals that water-focused studies remain limited within the circular economy literature. In this context, the WICER (Water in Circular Economy and Resilience) model—focusing on resilient and inclusive services, pollution reduction, and ecosystem restoration—is evaluated alongside strategies for implementing circular water systems. The study contributes to the literature and offers a comprehensive, multi-scalar, and resilient governance framework for water management, aimed at supporting policymakers and practitioners in the transition toward sustainable urban systems.

Keywords: Circular economy, circular water economy, WICER model, water management, sustainable strategies

Methods and Plants Used in Erosion Control on Highways in Turkey

Muratcan Kayan — 2025-07-18

Erosion is the process of soil particles being displaced from their original location due to natural factors such as water, wind, ice, or gravity, or through human activities. This process becomes more pronounced, especially in areas with steep slopes and bare soil surfaces around highways. Highways are engineering projects that significantly alter natural ecosystems, increasing the risk of erosion. In Turkey, water and wind erosion are commonly observed, particularly in the Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia regions. This study focuses on the causes and effects of erosion on highways in Turkey, erosion control methods, and the plants used for this purpose. The main factors contributing to increased erosion risk during highway construction include the loss of natural vegetation, soil structure degradation, and changes in the natural flow of water. Erosion control is of great importance for maintaining the stability of highways, ensuring infrastructure safety, and achieving environmental sustainability. Erosion control methods implemented in Turkey include afforestation, geomatic techniques, biotechnical solutions, and engineering structures. The effectiveness of these methods can be enhanced through an integrated approach supported by regional strategies. Successful erosion control projects in Turkey, particularly afforestation efforts and other preventive projects carried out by the General Directorate of Forestry and the General Directorate of Highways, serve as exemplary models.

Re-functioning for Sustainable Cultural Heritage, A Workshop on “Cenani Mansion”

Ebru Yazgan Serinkaya — 2025-12-30

With the growth of cities, it has become inevitable for areas and structures that have lost their function in the center to transform together with their environment and gain different functions. Each of the structures with different functions in the historical surroundings of the cities is a cultural heritage as it carries the traces of the period in which they were built. For sustainable cultural heritage, the social, cultural, historical and architectural values of these structures must be preserved and thus transferred to future generations. Re-functioning in historical texture is an important area of interior design. Due to the importance of the subject, an experimental workshop was conducted with the participation of 12 students within the scope of the Interior Space Organization elective course of the Department of Architecture at Gaziantep University. This study covers the re-functioning of the Cenani Mansion, which is in the historical city center of Gaziantep, to sustain its cultural heritage. At the end of the workshop, interior designs that consider the preservation of the historical texture and the existing structure were revealed. It has been determined that the theoretical knowledge transferred to the participant students throughout the process, workshops and their own researches are reflected in the final theoretical product of this workshop, it is aimed to gain design practices in order to think about the protection of historical buildings, which are our cultural heritage, and to function them with the right architectural solutions.

Investigating the Role of Biocultural Memory in the Preservation of Cultural Landscapes

Hatice Büyükköz — 2025-12-30

Biocultural values play a critical role in understanding the socio-ecological interactions in the past of cultural landscapes and therefore warrant further research. This study is based on the assumption that biocultural values are preserved in a landscape managed by indigenous people and traditional knowledge, whereas otherwise they will deteriorate. This study examines the deterioration of a cultural landscape created by the Circassian people through reclamation efforts in mountain forests based on their traditional knowledge, which was severed from its community management due to wartime conditions, and its recent revitalization. The study presents an assessment of the example of Circassian Forest Gardens, using the concepts of Biocultural Diversity, Biocultural Heritage, Cultural Disengagement, and Biocultural Memory. This study, based on a literature review, is intended as an invitation to think about the concepts in question and a contribution to academic knowledge, in order to preserve some values of cultural landscapes that deserve to be protected, rather than a prescription for action.

The Impact of Zoning Peace on the Gecekondu Issue: An Evaluation of Regulations, Scholarly Approaches, and Policy Debates in Turkey

Utku Başar — 2025-12-30

This study evaluates the impacts of Turkey’s long standing zoning amnesties and most recently, the Zoning Peace enacted in 2018 on the gecekondu phenomenon through a literature-based analysis. The gecekondu which began to increase rapidly from the 1940s onwards, has been shaped by various legal arrangements and amnesty policies introduced at different periods in particular, the Gecekondu Law No. 775, the comprehensive zoning amnesties implemented after 1980 and the 2018 Zoning Peace constitute critical turning points in this process. Findings from the literature indicate that while zoning amnesties have contributed to resolving property rights issues and increasing spatial security for some households, they have simultaneously encouraged unauthorized construction, weakened the planning system, deepened problems of urban justice, and eroded the state’s capacity to enforce legal regulations. The Zoning Peace, by legalizing the extensive stock of unregistered buildings concentrated especially in major metropolitan areas, has been criticized for reproducing the gecekondu as a legitimate option rather than preventing its production in the long term. The study demonstrates that zoning amnesty policies in Turkey have been insufficient in addressing the the gecekondu problem and that a lasting solution requires a comprehensive housing policy, the production of social housing, and a robust urban planning system.

Urbanization Dynamics of Amasya: Linear Development Shaped by Topography and Riverine Landscapes

Mustafa Ergen — 2025-12-30

Amasya, one of Türkiye’s historically significant cities, exhibits a distinctive urbanization pattern shaped primarily by its unique topography and riverine geography. The city is nestled within a narrow valley, surrounded by steep mountains, with the Yeşilırmak River running through its center. This natural configuration has restricted settlement expansion, leading to a linear pattern of urban development oriented along the riverbanks and the limited flatlands adjacent to the valley floor. Unlike cities that sprawl radially, Amasya’s urban growth reflects a directional progression, where cultural, residential, and infrastructural elements align with the valley corridor. Such constraints, while limiting horizontal expansion, have fostered compact urban morphology and close integration between built environments and natural landscapes. This linear urbanization not only illustrates the strong interdependence of topography and human settlement but also emphasizes the need for sustainable planning approaches that respect ecological sensitivity, flood risks, and the preservation of Amasya’s rich cultural landscape. Within the framework of sustainable development, analyzing Amasya’s urban form offers valuable insights into how historical cities adapt their growth strategies to geographical constraints, balancing cultural heritage with contemporary urban needs.

Landscape Design for Healthy Cities: Impacts on Physical and Mental Health

Nazlı Su Taşkaya — 2025-12-30

The study examines the effects of landscape design on healthy cities and its relationship with physical and mental health from various perspectives. It is stated that healthy cities are areas where citizens' basic needs are met without interruption and elements such as air quality, clean water, and safe food supply are provided. While emphasizing that landscape design is a broad environmental whole formed by the combination of natural and cultural elements, it is expressed that green spaces increase the overall quality of life by reducing mental health problems such as stress, depression, and anxiety. It emphasizes the importance of considering water, food, and land capacities in urban planning, reducing carbon emissions through sustainable urban renewal, reusing water and energy resources, and supporting biodiversity. Additionally, by examining research on the positive effects of contact with nature on human health, it is noted that nature reduces stress, increases happiness, and alleviates mental fatigue. In conclusion, it is emphasized that landscape design is an indispensable element for healthy cities and has significant effects on people's physical and mental health.

Cultural Landscape Assessment of the Historic Isparta Railway Station and The Converted Isparta Millet Park

Hatice Eylül Dilek — 2025-12-30

Today, actions aimed at adding value to the city's economy, landscape and ecosystem through areas that are currently unused but possess historical and cultural heritage value are becoming increasingly important. In this context, the historic Isparta Train Station has been transformed from an unused space into an important cultural and public landscape space through the Isparta Millet Garden concept. The Historic Isparta Railway Station holds an important place in Isparta's history and, in combination with the People's Garden, plays a significant role in terms of tourism and recreation. This study will highlight the historical process of the Historic Isparta Train Station and emphasise its importance for the city of Isparta. It will analyse the implemented People's Garden design concept, spatial sustainability, building structure, materials used, fixtures and furniture, plant design, lighting, water usage, energy usage, infrastructure design, accessibility, and user usability. The importance of the space in terms of cultural landscape will be examined.

A Study on Creating a Landscape Plant Database at Amasya University Campuses

Sultan Sevinç Kurt Konakoğlu — 2025-12-30

Universities are not only educational institutions, but also important urban centers contributing to social, cultural, economic, and ecological development. Their spatial structure requires holistic planning of open, semi-open, and enclosed spaces that combine functions such as accommodation, relaxation, dining, and recreation. Botanical design is a key component of this approach. Plants on campuses serve not only aesthetic purposes, but also regulate microclimate, support biodiversity, promote psychological healing, and create sustainable environments. This study identifies plant species on Amasya University campuses and processes the data in ArcGIS 10.8 to create a digital plant database. The database enhances traceability of campus plant diversity and provides a scientific basis for future landscape design, management, and planning. In the long term, it is also expected to support landscape management, plant maintenance, and ecological awareness initiatives.

Sustainable Agriculture; Agroecology And Environmental Protection

Gümüş Funda Gökçe Demirci — 2025-12-31

Presently, ensuring sustainable agricultural production has become a global priority by enhancing income through improved product quality, minimizing environmental degradation via reduced input use, ensuring food security through the provision of nutritious food, and preserving natural resources. Sustainable agriculture represents a holistic approach encompassing economic objectives aimed at high-quality production, social goals focused on improving farmers’ quality of life, and environmental targets geared toward reducing pollution through the efficient management of ecosystems. These objectives can be strategically achieved through the integration of precision (smart) agriculture technologies.

Agroecology, as an ecological practice, offers a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural systems by drawing on local food system experiences. Beyond being a mere production method, agroecology functions as a scientific discipline and a social movement that spans the entire value chain from farm to table. By incorporating regenerative agriculture and permaculture, this approach fosters social sustainability while simultaneously safeguarding soil and water resources.