Examining the Ecosystem Service Context of Green Spaces in Reducing Urban Flood Risk: The Case of Çanakkale City Center
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E6/2025-08Keywords:
Urban green areas, Ecosystem services, Urban flood risk, Water management, InVEST, GISAbstract
Urban flood-prone areas refer to city regions exposed to inundation due to heavy rainfall, increased surface runoff, and insufficient drainage infrastructure. These areas generally emerge where natural drainage pathways have been disrupted, infrastructure is lacking or undersized, and rapid urbanization has reduced water retention capacity. In recent years, urban flood risk has increasingly been addressed in the context of climate change and has become an important part of strategies for creating resilient cities. In particular, nature-based solutions and urban green infrastructure practices have come to the forefront due to their potential to regulate hydrological processes, support ecological continuity, and reduce flood impacts.
In this study, the spatial distribution of green areas in Çanakkale city center and Kepez district was classified; parameters such as rainfall intensity, slope, surface impermeability, and drainage capacity were used to produce flood risk maps. GIS-based modeling was employed to examine the relationship between ecosystem services and urban flood risk, and to evaluate the role of green areas in reducing surface runoff and enhancing urban resilience. Field observations and land-use analyses were also incorporated to realistically represent local conditions. The findings demonstrate that green areas play an important role in mitigating flood impacts by increasing infiltration, slowing runoff, and supporting natural waterways.
The model developed for Çanakkale city center and Kepez district within the scope of ecosystem services is intended to serve as a guide for sustainable urban planning and climate-adaptive development processes. The results aim to provide a scientific basis for urban transformation, land-use planning, and green infrastructure investments, contributing both to flood risk reduction and to the enhancement of ecological and social resilience.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Beyzanur KARACA (Author)
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