Investigation of Thermal Tourism Areas in Terms of Design Criteria for Healing Gardens: The Case of Eynal Thermal Tourism Centre (Simav-Kütahya)

Abstract

Tourism is a concept that has different branches and subjects within itself. Health tourism is one of these subjects. Within health tourism, thermal tourism is an important component of this branch of tourism. Thermal tourism has a wide range of users in every season of the year. Therefore, landscape design and planning should be made in accordance with the design criteria of healing gardens based on health. For this purpose, Eynal Thermal Tourism Centre, which has important geothermal resources in Simav district of Kütahya province, was selected as a sample area. As a result of the literature review, the design criteria of healing gardens were determined. Afterwards, the sample thermal tourism area was examined and observed on-site within these criteria. Compliance with the criteria was evaluated in many basic qualities such as the use of plant material, spatial and landscape area diversity, pedestrian circulation network, walking paths, sports areas. Although there are many positive uses in the area, many negative effects and uses such as lack of sensible walking surface and monotony were also observed. After determining the deficiencies and correction needs in the area, suggestions for the area were listed and suggestions were made for the design criteria of improvement gardens for thermal tourism areas.