Ownership Issue in Coastal Real Estate: The Example of Karasu District of Sakarya Province

This study examines property-related issues arising in coastal areas due to changes in the coast edge line (CEL) and how these shifts affect real estate. Throughout history, civilizations have settled along water sources. Over time, however, industrialization, tourism, trade, and transportation have intensified coastal land use, leading to ecological imbalances and the transformation of natural areas into artificial uses. This situation requires balancing private property rights, coastal conservation, and the public interest. Coastal erosion, sea-level changes, and shifting CEL cause damage to properties, trigger legal disputes, and necessitate compensation claims. Using the case of Karasu District in Sakarya Province, Turkey, this research highlights how port constructions and breakwaters accelerate coastal recession and property losses. Sustainable planning, legal regulations, expropriation, and state responsibility for compensation are vital tools in resolving these issues. This example underscores the growing importance of careful and holistic coastal management in the face of increasing population pressures.