Abstract
Given the annual risk of damage to the coastal infrastructure along the east coast, the conservation and sustainable use of the main recreational resource – the beaches – takes on particular importance. The aim of this study is therefore to assess the recreational and geomorphological potential of the coastline and to determine the physical capacity of the beaches. To this end, the study utilises multi-temporal remote sensing data, a physical capacity estimation equation, geospatial analysis using GIS, as well as evaluation criteria and field surveys. As a result, the beaches have been classified by location, and the acceptable visitor capacities for the beaches in the Kabanbai recreational zone have been established: 16,644 per day and 1,281,033 for the season. In the Kosaishagyl and Zelenenkoe areas, which are promising locations for tourism development, the physical capacities of the beaches were 9,904 visitors per day and 762,642 visitors per season. The beaches in the Kabanbai recreational zone have insufficient recreational and geomorphological potential. The findings indicate a direct link between modern coastal development and the high geomorphological risk posed by this coastline, resulting from the unsustainable use of recreational resources. The construction of facilities, without regard for natural coastal land formation processes, has led to the loss of beaches along 800 meters of recreational shoreline. The study clarifies that the natural conditions of the area should be taken into account first when planning and using coastal recreational resources.