Factors affecting utilization opportunity of wetlands and their immediate surroundings in abandoned mining sites: A case study for Istanbul

Murat Köse, Ali Ayhan Kul, Emrah Özdemir, Alev Perihan Gürbey and Nilüfer Kart Aktaş

Land Use Policy, 2022, vol. 121, issue C

Abstract: As in the whole world, abandoned mining sites and their immediate surroundings stands as a major environmental problem in Turkey. This study aims to reveal the factors affecting the utilization opportunities of the wetlands and their immediate surroundings in the abandoned mining sites in Istanbul through a multidimensional approach. In the study, a 34-variable factor analysis was performed, and approximately 75% of the respondents’ opinions were explained with seven factors by taking 24 variables as a basis at the end of the reliability analysis. These factors are listed according to their significance level: (1) utilization for recreational purposes, (2) utilization for functional purposes, (3) management and operation, (4) utilization as water reserve areas, (5) utilization as disposal sites, (6) legal framework, principles, and procedures, and (7) contribution to employment and economy. Afterwards, the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to investigate whether there was a statistically significant and important difference between the various socio-economic variables (gender, occupation, workplace and experience) of the groups identified within the scope of the questionnaire. According to these results, thanks to the interdisciplinary and multi-functional planning of these sites after mining activities and their correct and effective management, the local people will be ensured to benefit from these sites at the highest level and the ecological balance will be re-established. The previous economic and ecological value of the abandoned mining sites should at least be restored and/or developed further. There are various criteria and indicators for this. In order to carry out and follow up the works in these areas in a successful way without interruption, it is important that legal arrangements to be made include not only forest areas but also all areas that require nature restoration such as agriculture, industry, solid waste, mines and quarries. In this sense, it should be ensured that all relevant persons and institutions cooperate with each other. As a result, in terms of sustainable land use, this study revealed an approach regarding the correct and effective management of damaged areas remaining after mining and its importance.

Keywords: Abandoned mines sites; Wetlands; Sustainable land use; Land use policy; Factor analysis; Istanbul (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:121:y:2022:i:c:s0264837722002617

DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106234

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