DETERMINATION OF LAND-USE/LAND-COVER CHANGE AND URBAN GROWTH BY USING REMOTE SENSING: A CASE STUDY OF DUZCE PROVINCE IN TURKEY

Duzce is a richly forested province of Turkey located in the west part of the Black Sea Region. With the economic development and construction in Turkey, forests, agricultural as well as green areas have been damaged. Without prudential planning, the natural environment could not be protected. In this study, remote sensing was utilized to ascertain whether urbanization damaged areas in one of the greenest provinces of Turkey, how the land was used, and, particularly, how the plains that could be used as agricultural areas were used. As a result of the conducted research, it is seen that the forest area has been protected over 22 years, 63% of the land is covered with trees including hazelnut fields. Furthermore, settlement areas were developed to a considerable extent in the last 9 years but this development took place in Duzce Plain which is largely used as agricultural area. This is the most negative situation evident in Duzce. Once again, this study puts forward the benefits of remote sensing in urban growth and environmental management.