Improving Urban Ecosystem Using Green Infrastructure: Case study Ankara-Turkey

Urban ecosystem is focal point of natural landscape alteration caused by human. Over the years, growth in urban population therewithal the development of technological tools caused various challenges in urban environment. Alteration of natural topography, fragmentation of open and green areas and growth of built infrastructure have influenced the air and water quality, habitats and biodiversity, ecosystem service performance and energy flow in urban environment. These changes as a whole have unfavorable impacts on urban ecosystem and human' quality of life. In this research, urban ecosystem, its components and relations are evaluated. Furthermore, considering the challenges caused by rapid urbanization in urban ecosystem, the concept of Green Infrastructure is defined as a sustainable framework for improving the urban ecosystem, preserving natural resources and resolving the environmental issues, with positive impacts on economic development as well. The study also explores the Green Infrastructure functions, its tools and principles that should be followed in Green Infrastructure planning. Based on these data, Ankara is evaluated as case study for representing urban ecosystem alteration caused by population growth. For this purpose, land use planning and decisions are addressed. Consequently, the conditions of natural resources and green areas of the city are investigated. In addition, the environmental challenges caused by human activity and rapid urbanization are analyzed based on the data of last decades. Furthermore, the concept of the Green Infrastructure and its benefits are emphasized in this case study. Result of the study indicates that lack of the Green Infrastructure plans during the urban development process over the years caused urban ecosystem facing with various environmental problems as well as loss of the natural resource and properties. Therefore, planning the Green infrastructure is vital for protecting and improving the urban ecosystem ensuring the next generations life.