THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS ON THE INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES: THE CASE OF TEKİRDAĞ, TURKEY

Abstract

Although the unplanned and uncontrolled industrialization in Tekirdağ increased the rank of Tekirdağ from 23rd in 1973 to the 10th place in 2013 in the development ranking among the provinces in Turkey, industrialization and industrial facilities with high environmental impacts brought many environmental problems and started to pose a great threat in terms of environmental sustainability in Tekirdağ. Especially after the 2008 global financial crisis, environmental sensitivity has gained an international dimension. In a similar vein, the Ergene River Basin Environmental Management Master Plan and 1/100,000-scaled the Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan came into force in 2009 upon the pollution in Tekirdağ, Turkey and its surrounding received governmental attention. 1/25,000 Scale Tekirdağ Provincial Environmental Plan and 1/5000 Scale Master Development Plans which were prepared and elaborated in consideration of the Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan and 1/100000-scaled Thrace Sub-Region Ergene Basin Environmental Plan affect the nature and structure of the industry in Tekirdağ and the district-based development of Tekirdağ's districts. After examining the effects of environmental plans on the structure and development of the industry in Tekirdağ, this study analyzes the impact of environmental plans on court decisions about the attempts to set up new industrial areas in Tekirdağ.