R'WOT-based strategic planning and management for urban forests: Lessons from Istanbul's Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Forest

The rapid population growth, accelerating urbanization, and ongoing climate crisis have intensified the need for optimizing urban forest functions. Istanbul, with its high demand for recreational areas, hosts the largest number of urban forests in Turkey, presenting complex challenges. This study focuses on the Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Forest, established in 2012 as Turkey's largest urban forest. We employ the R′WOT methodology to assess the current state of this forest, contribute to the development of existing and future urban forests, and formulate strategies for conflict resolution in planning and management processes. The research seeks to balance urban residents' recreational needs with ecological sustainability. A participatory approach was adopted, involving academicians, NGOs, and representatives from relevant forestry institutions. The R′WOT technique, which incorporates Ranking and Linear Combination Techniques into traditional SWOT analysis, was used to quantify SWOT groups and their internal factors. Based on 201 samples, results indicate that all stakeholder groups identified "Weaknesses" as the highest priority SWOT group, assigning greater weights to factors within this category. This finding underscores the prominence of weaknesses in urban forest planning and management in Turkey. This comprehensive analysis provides measurable insights into enhancing the efficacy of urban forest management while addressing the multifaceted demands of an expanding metropolitan area in the context of environmental challenges. The quantitative approach of R′WOT offers a solid foundation for strategic improvements in urban forestry practices, contributing to more effective urban forest management strategies in Turkey and similar contexts globally.