This study measured the distance from its sample location to green areas in Tokat, Turkey, using the buffer zone method. This study evaluated the decisions of the Purposeful Tokat Conservation Framework Development Plan and the decisions outside of the Historical Urban Protected Areas Development Plan together as whole. Creating green areas that are at an accessible distance in urban planning projects is important. Accordingly, the accessibility of green areas was measured using the buffer zone method. This study also proposes a method in regard to accessibility to green areas in Turkey. The analysis performed in Tokat found that the green areas were not planned considering accessibility criteria. The results of this study indicate that settlements with houses and green areas should be planned proportionally and at a more accessible distance to each other.

Understanding urban expansion patterns is critical for sustainable land-use planning, particularly in rapidly developing regions. This study employs an integrated geographic ınformation system-based approach utilizing the MOLUSCE plugin in QGIS to predict future Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in Sakarya Province, Türkiye, from 2011 to 2040. While cellular automata-artificial neural network and Markov Chain models have been extensively utilized in LULC research, their application to mid-sized Turkish provinces remains insufficiently explored. This study addresses that gap by providing the first comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of Sakarya’s urban growth trends, incorporating environmental impact assessments alongside predictive modeling. The results indicate a 3.43% decline in agricultural areas and a 0.43% decrease in forests from 2011 to 2024, with continued urban expansion projected through 2040. These findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable zoning policies and conservation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization on natural resources. The study not only enhances regional LULC modeling efforts but also provides a scalable framework for other developing urban centers facing similar land-use challenges.

Individuals with disabilities experience limitations in their physical, mental, emotional, or sensory capacities, often necessitating support or specific accommodations to navigate daily activities and interactions. These challenges may encompass mobility, vision, hearing, cognition, or communication. From a design perspective, it is imperative to ensure that environments, products, and services are accessible and usable, addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. To foster inclusion and promote social equality, designers must prioritize universal design principles and accessibility standards. This study evaluates the accessibility of the Sakarya Karaman Barrier-Free Nation's Garden through the lens of universal design principles. Although the park was designed as a barrier-free environment adhering to these principles, several significant deficiencies were identified. The evaluation revealed that the park fails to fully meet key principles such as equitable use, safety and security, minimized physical effort, and appropriate dimensions and spaces for pathways. These shortcomings underscore the necessity for a comprehensive reassessment of the park to implement requisite modifications, ensuring it accommodates the needs of individuals with disabilities effectively.

This study examines the children's playgrounds located in Aziz Duran Park (Kent Park), which is established on the former site of the Agricultural Equipment Institution Factory in the Mithatpaşa neighborhood of Sakarya, Türkiye, in line with universal design principles. The research proceeds in four stages. In the first stage, a comprehensive literature review is carried out, and the study area is identified. In the second, field observations and on-site inspections are performed, accompanied by photographic documentation of outdoor elements such as entrances, ramps, stairs, walkways, and playgrounds. In the third stage, Aziz Duran Park is evaluated through 22 indicators based on universal design principles. The findings indicate that approximately 68% of the park complies with these principles, with 15 indicators deemed “suitable” and 7 “not suitable.” In the final stage, the study offers a set of recommendations aimed at addressing the identified deficiencies and enhancing the park's inclusivity and accessibility.