From rural landscapes to urbanized shores: Rurbanization and second-home dynamics in the Lake Van region

Abstract

In recent years, in rural areas, rurban processes where rural and urban characteristics are intertwined and have attracted attention. In these areas, especially second homes, new second infrastructure investments and population movements cause socio-spatial transformations. These transformations result in rural areas gaining a new identity. This study investigates how second housing shapes the rurban process in Van/Mollakasım and its surroundings by focusing on the transformation of land use and changing settlement morphology. Within the scope of the study, changes in land use were analyzed using satellite images for the years 2000-2012-2024. In addition, a series of spatial analysis techniques such as Kernel density maps and Average Nearest Neighbor test were used. According to the analysis findings, it is seen that second housing in Mollakasım and its surroundings has increased over time and spatial clusters have formed especially in areas close to the coast. In addition, it is observed that second homes spread over agricultural areas and natural areas and this pressure exhibits a growth pattern that spreads to the inland areas. Within the framework of the research outputs, it is necessary to spatially define coastal and agricultural areas that are open to second home development, to determine the regions under construction pressure as priority monitoring areas and to develop planning strategies that will direct construction in these regions. In addition, it is important to implement spatial policy tools at the local level that limit the use of agricultural areas for non-production purposes and protect coastal areas in terms of public access.