Landscape Corridors: the Case of Malatya Province

Abstract

The corridors, as linear landscape elements, defined by many different names starting with Frederick Law Olmsted’s “Emerald Necklace” park system concept in 1867, then from the term of “Environmental Corridor” by Philip Lewis in the 1960s to the present day, are developed as a response to the ecological, cultural and recreational needs in terms of spatial planning and design purposes. The corridors are mainly being considered in planning and design processes as spatial units providing connectivity and linear spaces. However, the functions of the corridors are of a character that cannot be limited to these mentioned ones. In this Chapter, an innovative method based on not only the mentioned functions but also the key processes that shape natural and cultural landscapes is proposed in determining the linear areas that will form corridors. Linear landscape elements mapped with such a method are named as “Landscape Corridor”. The landscape corridors to be determined by applying the method described in the example of Malatya province are, on the one hand, primarily the linear areas that reflect and shape the original character of the landscape and therefore have high landscape protection value. On the other hand, these landscape corridors are both access lines and potential spaces for outdoor activities suggested to be determined in line with the user profile and demand as well as spatial requirements. © Peter Lang GmbH Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Berlin 2021 All rights reserved.