Rainwater falling on Buca will be collected through the Sponge City İzmir project Proofreading:

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has launched the Sponge City İzmir project in two separate areas of Buca to collect rainwater and prevent flooding. President Tunç Soyer inspected the works in Atatürk Mahallesi, where 470 tons of rainwater are collected daily, and the flood drainage wells in Bahçekapı Park, where approximately 54 tons of water per hour can infiltrate the ground. President Soyer stated, "Our efforts will continue until we turn our city into a complete Sponge City."

Shaped by the vision of combating drought, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's Sponge City İzmir project, which expands rainwater harvesting efforts, continues with various applications. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer inspected the Sponge City İzmir works in Atatürk Mahallesi and Bahçekapı Park in Buca. The green infrastructure techniques applied in Atatürk Mahallesi ensure the collection of 470 tons of rainwater daily. Bahçekapı Park, with its flood drainage wells, has been transformed into Turkey's first flood park, allowing approximately 54 tons of water to infiltrate the ground per hour.

President Tunç Soyer emphasized the importance of the project, which aims to prevent flooding caused by heavy rainfall and save water by collecting rainwater. "We have started to spread Sponge City applications throughout the city. We are developing mechanisms and new creative solutions to collect rainwater everywhere, both in the metropolis and in rural areas. Professor Alim Murathan and his team, along with the new team we have established, are implementing innovative practices that will serve as a model for Turkey. These efforts are carried out in cooperation with İZSU General Directorate," he said.

"Groundwater resources will also be replenished"
President Tunç Soyer noted that Bahçekapı Park is located at a low elevation, where rainwater from the surrounding area collects. "This is one of Buca's lowest points. Rainwater from the surrounding area collects here, and it was always an area prone to flooding. With the project, a mechanism has been established to transfer the water underground. This also means a strong replenishment of underground water resources. We will continue our efforts until we turn our city into a complete Sponge City," he said.

470 tons of rainwater will be collected daily
Green infrastructure techniques, integrated with the existing infrastructure system, have been implemented in Buca Atatürk Mahallesi to retain rainwater falling on streets and prevent flooding. With the techniques of cut curbs, rainwater infiltration trenches, and flood drainage wells applied in a total area of 580 square meters, 470 tons of rainwater are collected, purified, and directly infiltrated into the ground daily. This project aims to prevent flooding in the area using green infrastructure techniques without the need for new infrastructure facilities or rebuilding existing ones.

A flood park was created in Buca
In Bahçekapı Park, located parallel to 1025th Street and at a lower elevation compared to its surroundings, rainwater from neighboring streets and roads was redirected to the park area by disconnecting the existing sewer system connections. Thus, this area was transformed into Turkey's first flood park. With three flood drainage wells constructed at the end of the park, approximately 54 tons of water per hour can infiltrate the ground. The project aims to direct rainwater flowing around the parking area to the park, prevent flooding in lower-lying residential areas, and highlight the additional functions of parks in rainwater management.