Determination of suitable recreational areas in Adana Province Cukurova district by AHP technique

    Nurhan Koçan Info
    Şeyma Şengür Info
    Muhibe Aslı Alp Info
    Ömer Lütfü Çorbacı Info
    Esra Çetinkaya Özkan Info
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jeelm.2025.24184

Abstract

Recreation is people’s whole activity to regain their lost energy. In urban recreation areas, today’s people can escape city life and reach themselves and nature at some point. In this context, the distribution, size, and accessibility of recreation areas in cities gain importance. The research aims to determine potential recreation areas by considering the natural and physical characteristics of the Adana Province Cukurova district.

The criteria and importance weights of the criteria related to the natural and physical characteristics of Cukurova district, which is the research area, were determined by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The data layers of the criteria were overlapped using the “Weighted Linear Combination Technique” in ArcMap program using the importance weights and a map of potential recreation areas was created.

The results show that 2.6% of the region has low, 72.2% has medium, and 25.2% has high recreational potential. The western part of Seyhan Dam Lake has been identified as the most suitable area for recreation. Providing a holistic green space system will enable the development of the city’s natural potential. In addition, the areas proposed to be planned as recreational areas will contribute to urban ecosystem services and improve the quality of urban life. To define recreational suitable areas provides effective and quick solutions to manage urban sprawl on ecological. (Referee 1).

Keywords:

urbanization, AHP, urban green spaces, recreational suitability, GIS

How to Cite

Koçan, N., Şengür, Şeyma, Alp, M. A., Çorbacı, Ömer L., & Özkan, E. Çetinkaya. (2025). Determination of suitable recreational areas in Adana Province Cukurova district by AHP technique. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 33(2), 273–283. https://doi.org/10.3846/jeelm.2025.24184

Share

Published in Issue
July 2, 2025
Abstract Views
19

References

Adana Development Alliance Foundation. (1999). Socio-economic report. Adana Power Union Foundation, Adana.

Aronson, M. F., Lepczyk, C. A., Evans, K. L., Goddard, M. A., Lerman, S. B., MacIvor, J. S., Nilon, C., & Vargo, T. (2017). Biodiversity in the city: Key challenges for urban green space management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15(4), 189–196. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1480

Aşılıoğlu, F., & Çay, R. D. (2023). A dual spatial analysis method based on recreation opportunity spectrum and analyticalihierarchy process for outdoor recreation site suitability. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 44, Article 100703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100703

Balogh, P. I., & Takács, D. (2011). The significance of urban open spaces and green areas in urban property developments. In First International Conference “Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in Transylvania” Agriculture and Environment Supplement (pp. 110–121), Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Scientia Publishing House.

Bolund, P., & Hunhammar, S. (1999). Ecosystem services in urban areas. Ecological Economics, 29(2), 293–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(99)00013-0

Caglayan, I., Yeşil, A., Cieszewski, C., Gul, F. K., & Kabak, O. (2020). Mapping of recreation suitability in the Belgrad Forest Stands. Applied Geography, 116, Article 102153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2020.102153

Canhasi, E. (2010). Analytical hierarchy process [Master’s thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University]. Istanbul, Turkey.

Çelik, A., & Şenay, D. (2023). Opportunities of using rural areas for recreational purposes: The case of the Karacabey District, Bursa Province. Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, 60(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.1182317

Chhetri, P., & Arrowsmith, C. (2008). GIS-based modelling of recreational potential of nature-based tourist destinations. Tourism Geographies, 10(2), 233–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680802000089

Cilliers, E. J. (2015). The importance of planning for green spaces. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 4(4–1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.s.2015040401.11

Dağıstanlı, C., Turan, İ. D., & Dengiz, O. (2018). Evaluation of the suitability of sites for outdoor recreation using a multi-criteria assessment model. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3856-0

Derr, V., Ruppi, H., & Wagner, D. (2016). Honoring voices, inspiring futures: Young people’s engagement in open space planning. Children, Youth and Environments, 26(2), 128–144. https://doi.org/10.1353/cye.2016.0006

Dong, Y., Jin, G., Deng, X., & Wu, F. (2021). Multidimensional measurement of poverty and its spatio-temporal dynamics in China from the perspective of development geography. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 31(1), 130–148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-021-1836-x

Duku, E., Mensah, C. A., Amadu, I., & Adzigbli, W. K. (2023). Changes in urban green spaces in coastal cities and human well‐being: The case of Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Geo: Geography and Environment, 10(1), Article e00119. https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.119

Ebrahimi, M., Nejadsoleymani, H., & Mansouri Daneshvar, M. R. (2019). Land suitability map and ecological carrying capacity for the recognition of touristic zones in the Kalat region, Iran: A multi-criteria analysis based on AHP and GIS. Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, 3(3), 697–718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41685-019-00123-w

Erdogan, Ö., Cabuk, A., Memluk, Y., & Percin, H. (2013). Ekolojik alan kullanım kararlarına uygun rekreasyon alanlarının AHP yöntemi kullanılarak Kütahya kenti örneğinde irdelenmesi [Evaluation of recreation areas according to ecological land use decisions: The example of the City of Kütahya using the AHP method]. Harita Teknolojileri Elektronik Dergisi, 5(1), 26–36.

Gelan, E. (2021). GIS-based multi‐criteria analysis for sustainable urban green spaces planning in emerging towns of Ethiopia: The case of Sululta town. Environmental Systems Research, 10, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-021-00220-w

Gold, S. M. (1980). Recreation planning and design. McGraw Hill Book Company.

Gul, A., Orucu, M. K., &Karaca, O. (2006). An approach for recreation suitability analysis to recreation planning in Gölcük Nature Park. Environmental Management, 37, 606–625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-004-0322-4

Gunal, I. (2010). Determination of open-green area potential of Soma (Manisa) district [Master’s thesis, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University]. Canakkale, Turkey.

Gurses, I. (1970). Green and free space policy. Journal of Landscape Architecture, 1(1).

Guzzetti, F., Carrara, A., Cardinali, M., Reichenbach, P., Galli, M., & Ardizzone, F. (1999). Landslide hazard evaluation: An aid to a sustainable development. Geomorphology, 31(1–4), 181–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(99)00078-1

Haq, S. M. A. (2011). Urban green spaces and an integrative approach to sustainable environment. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2, 601–608. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2011.25069

Herath, G., & Prato, T. (2006). Using multi-criteria decision analysis in natural resource management. Ashgate Publishing Company.

Keles, R. (1980). Dictionary of urbanistic terms. Turkish Language Association Publications.

Krämer, A., & Roth, R. (2002). Spatial requirements of outdoor sports in the Nature Park Southern Blackforest-GIS-based conflict analysis and solutions for visitor flow management. In A. Arnberger, C. Brandenburg, & A. Muhar (Eds.), Monitoring and Management of Visitor Flows in Recreational and Protected Areas Conference Proceedings (pp. 33–39). https://mmv.boku.ac.at/refbase/files/kramer_alexander_r-2002-spatial_requirements.pdf

Lin, C. L. (2020). Establishing environment sustentation strategies for urban and rural/town tourism based on a hybrid MCDM approach. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(19), 2360–2395. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2019.1642308

Lu, Y., Han, F., Liu, Q., Wang, Z., Wang, T., & Yang, Z. (2022). Evaluation of potential for nature-based recreation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: A spatial-temporal perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), Article 5753. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095753

Luo, Q., Bao, Y., Wang, Z., & Chen, X. (2022). Potential recreation service efficiency of urban remnant mountain wilderness: A case study of Yunyan District of Guiyang city, China. Ecological Indicators, 141, Article 109081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109081

Lynch, A. J. (2021). The role and potential of residential open space in a suburban green space network. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 58, Article 126971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126971

McDonald, R. I., Forman, R. T., & Kareiva, P. (2010). Open space loss and land inequality in United States’ cities, 1990–2000. PLoS ONE, 5(3), Article e9509. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009509

Mensah, C. A. (2014). Destruction of urban green spaces: A problem beyond urbanization in Kumasi city (Ghana). American Journal of Environmental, 3(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20140301.11

Miyachi, T., Watanabe, K., Tachiiri, K., & Gotoh, K. (2003). Selecting location of urban parks with GIS in Nagasaki City. Reports of the Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 33(61), 97–101.

Nordh, H., Alalouch, C., & Hartig, T. (2011). Assessing restorative components of small urban parks using conjoint methodology. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 10(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2010.12.003

Osorio, B. G., Viteri, L. E., & Vlassova, L. (2022). Ecosystem services of urban green spaces: Multicriteria spatial analysis model. NeuroQuantology, 20(6), 1678–1684.

Ozcan, O., Musaoglu, N., & Seker, D. Z. (2009, May 11–15). Determination of flood areas with the help of GIS and remote sensing and risk management: Sakarya basin example [Paper presentation]. TMMOB Chamber of Surveying and Cadastre Engineers 12th Turkish Mapping Scientific and Technical Congress, Ankara.

Ozturk, D., & Batuk, F. (2010). Analytic hierarchy process for spatial decision making. Sigma, 28(2), 124–137.

Ozugul, M. D. (2012). Ekolojik planlama. In M. Ersoy (Ed.), Kentsel planlama ansiklopedik sözlük (pp. 107–112). İstanbul, Ninova.

Paudel, S., & States, S. (2023). Urban green spaces and sustainability: Exploring the ecosystem services and disservices of grassy lawns versus floral meadows. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 84, Article 127932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127932

Prance, G. T., Dixon, G. R., & Aldous, D. E. (2014). Biodiversity and green open space. In Horticulture: Plants for people and places (Vol. 2, pp. 787–816). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8581-5_9

Saaty, R. W. (1987). The analytic hierarchy process-what it is and how it is used. Mathematical Modelling, 9(3–5), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-0255(87)90473-8

Saaty, T. L. (1980). The analytic hierarchy process. McGraw-Hill. https://doi.org/10.21236/ADA214804

Santos, T., Mendes, R. N., & Vasco, A. (2016). Recreational activities in urban parks: Spatial interactions among users. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 15, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2016.06.001

Soeters, R., & Van Westen, C. J. (1996). Slope instability recognition, analysis and zonation. In Landslides: Investigation and mitigation (Vol. 247, pp. 129–177). National Academy Press.

Sohrab, S. M., Oladi-Ghadikolaiee, J., & Jalilvand, H. (2020). Recreational zoning of Natural forest parks using Analytic hierarchy process and geographic information system (Case study: Talar Forest Park, Qaemshahr, Iran). Journal of Biochemical Technology, 11(1), 46–52.

Srdjevic, B., Srdjevic, Z., Reynolds, K. M., Lakicevic, M., & Zdero, S. (2022). Using analytic hierarchy process and best–worst method in group evaluation of urban park quality. Forests, 13(2), Article 290. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020290

Steiner, F., McSherry, L., & Cohen, J. (2000). Land suitabilityanalysis for the upper Gila River watershed. Landscape and Urban Planning, 50, 199–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(00)00093-1

Swanwick, C., Dunnett, N., & Woolley, H. (2003). Nature, role and value of green space in towns and cities: An overview. Built Environment, 29(2), 94–106. https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.29.2.94.54467

Toapanta Orbea, L. A., Leyva Vazquez, M., & Hechavarría Hernández, J. R. (2021). AHP applied to the prioritization of recreational spaces in green Areas. Case study: Urban area of the El Empalme Canton, Ecuador. In T. Ahram (Ed.), Advances in intelligent systems and computing: Vol. 1213. Advances in artificial intelligence, software and systems engineering (pp. 292–297). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51328-3_41

Turgut, H., Ozalp, A. Y., & Akıncı, H. (2021). Introducing the Hiking Suitability Index to evaluate mountain forest roads as potential hiking routes – a case study in Hatila Valley National Park, Turkey. Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management, 13(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1553/eco.mont-13-1s55

Turkish Statistical Institute. (2021). Population and demography. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Kategori/GetKategori?p=Nufus-ve-Demografi-109

Vaznonienė, G., & Vaznonis, B. (2017). Social benefit of green spaces to local community. Rural Development, 8, 1380–1385. https://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.214

Voigt, A., Kabisch, N., Wurster, D., Haase, D., & Breuste, J. (2014). Structural diversity: a multi-dimensional approach to assess recreational services in urban parks. Ambio, 43, 480-491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0508-9

Wang, Y., Tian, Y., & Cao, Y. (2021). Dam siting: a review. Water, 13(15), Article 2080. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13152080

Wolff, M., & Haase, D. (2019). Mediating sustainability and liveability turning points of green space supply in European cities. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 7, Article 61. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00061

World Health Organization. (2016). Urban green spaces and health (No. WHO/EURO: 2016-3352-43111-60341). https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2016-3352-43111-60341

World Health Organization. (2017). Urban green spaces: A brief for action. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289052498

Yıldızcı, A. C. (1982). Urban green area planning and Istanbul example [Unpublished associate professor thesis]. Istanbul Technical University.

Zhou, W., & Troy, A. (2008). An object-oriented approach for analyzing and characterizing urban landscape at the parcel level. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 29(11), 3119–3135. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431160701469065

Zhou, X., & Rana, M. P. (2012). Social benefits of urban green space: A conceptual framework of valuation and accessibility measurements. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 23(2), 173–189. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777831211204921

View article in other formats

CrossMark check

CrossMark logo

Published

2025-07-02

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Koçan, N., Şengür, Şeyma, Alp, M. A., Çorbacı, Ömer L., & Özkan, E. Çetinkaya. (2025). Determination of suitable recreational areas in Adana Province Cukurova district by AHP technique. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 33(2), 273–283. https://doi.org/10.3846/jeelm.2025.24184

Share