İzmir Metropolitan Municipality is adding new elements to the Sponge City İzmir project, which was initiated to combat climate crises and drought. Turkey's first Sponge Car Park was implemented in Gaziemir as part of the project. President Soyer, who examined the work at the Gaziemir Sakarya Sponge Car Park, stated that they aim to collect and reuse rainwater with this implementation, noting, "In just this area, 6,000 cubic meters of water will be saved annually, equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools."
The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, which launched the Sponge City İzmir project to combat the global climate crisis and drought, has added a new element to the project. The Sakarya Car Park in Gaziemir, owned by İZELMAN, has been transformed into a sponge car park. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, who inspected the car park and received information, said, "Welcome to Turkey's first sponge car park." Mayor Soyer noted that at first glance, this place looks like any other car park in Turkey, but it is different. "This car park is unique compared to all other car parks in Turkey. The permeable material installed beneath the surface allows for the collection and storage of water underground. We do not waste the rainwater that would otherwise go into the rainwater channels. We do not let it be lost. We prevent it from flowing into the Gulf as rainwater. We store it here, which provides significant savings," he said.
Water savings
Mayor Soyer stated that special infiltration trenches, designed to collect and infiltrate water at specific points based on the flow directions of rainwater falling into the Gaziemir Sakarya Sponge Car Park, have been constructed. He emphasized that this car park alone saves an average of 6,000 cubic meters of water annually, equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools. Mayor Soyer also noted, "It contributes significantly to the water cycle and green transformation. We will adapt this to other car parks as well. The Sponge City project offers us endless opportunities. We are exploring ways to collect and reuse water in many areas that no one has thought of. We have initiated a brand new application in Turkey. By saving, protecting, and reusing rainwater, we are addressing one of the most critical issues of the climate crisis: drought."
"Offering a more beautiful and green environment"
Urban Planner Aybüke Gümüş, from the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Water Resources Research and Application Center, emphasized the importance of the work, stating, "By creating soil surfaces on impermeable areas covered with concrete or asphalt, we reduce the urban heat island effect. For example, this area was previously paved. We removed the pavers and added permeable materials underneath. We turned this place into an infiltration trench. This way, the rainwater in the area flows here and then infiltrates underground. Not only do we protect groundwater, but we also mitigate the urban heat island effect with the green space we create here. We provide a more beautiful and green environment." Explaining what the heat island effect is, Gümüş said, "Impermeable surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and glass reflect sunlight back, making us feel hotter than normal and causing climate change. The soil and plants we place here absorb heat, reducing the urban heat island effect in our city. Thus, it is a beneficial project for the environment."
Green transformation
A total of 644 square meters of the 8,200 square meter open car park operated by İZELMAN A.Ş. was made permeable. Specially designed infiltration trenches were constructed at specific points to collect and infiltrate rainwater based on its flow directions. Some areas were also turned into permeable surfaces where rainwater is collected. In these sponge areas, rainwater is collected and a green transformation is achieved through the water cycle.
The Sponge City İzmir project is expanding
A system encouraging rainwater harvesting has been implemented, distributing 5,000 rainwater tanks to 5,000 buildings and conducting a campaign to create 10,000 rain gardens in İzmir. Bus stops are being transformed into eco-friendly green stops through rainwater harvesting. The first works within this scope have been completed at 12 stops. A green transformation through rainwater harvesting is also being carried out in cemetery areas, with the first transformation project implemented at Işıkkent Cemetery.
The Metropolitan Municipality, which is transforming impermeable roads, car parks, and similar surface areas covered with asphalt and concrete into permeable areas to prevent floods, directs the rainwater falling on these areas to parks and medians, preventing floods and achieving green transformations through the water cycle. These implementations are being carried out in two park areas in Buca, at the Bornova Metro Station median, and at the Gaziemir İZELMAN car park.
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.
As part of the Sponge City project implemented by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to combat drought, Turkey's first biological infiltration pond was created in İzmir.
As part of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's efforts to combat drought, Turkey's first biological infiltration pond was created in İzmir’s Ödemiş district through the Sponge City İzmir project. The project will channel rainwater falling on the roof areas of Bademli Cooperative's greenhouses and the surrounding agricultural lands, as well as all return water from agricultural irrigation in the summer months, into the infiltration pond through drainage channels and pipelines. This will enable the underground storage of water equivalent to approximately 24 Olympic swimming pools per year. The water stored underground will meet the needs of 196,000 m² of agricultural land and all the water needs of the Bademli Cooperative.
"Designed to alleviate the wounds of drought"
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, who began his speech by stating that they are witnessing a historic moment as they raise the flag of the resilient city İzmir in Ödemiş today, said that the Bademli Biological Infiltration Pond will be a source of fertility for the Küçük Menderes Basin. Mayor Soyer explained that they designed this project to alleviate the biggest problem of the basin, drought, saying, "With our pond and recharge wells, we will provide lifeblood to the farmers in the Küçük Menderes Basin who are struggling with drought. We will replenish our underground waters and increase fertility. Because we know that where there is water, there is fertility, there is labor, there is bread. Our Bademli Biological Infiltration Pond will bring that water back to the Küçük Menderes Basin."
The rainwater harvesting efforts in the Küçük Menderes Plain, which form the rural component of the Sponge City project, continue at full speed. The project involves constructing recharge wells, infiltration cisterns, and infiltration ponds to replenish groundwater in the Küçük Menderes Basin. For this purpose, Turkey's first biological infiltration pond, capable of storing 60,000 cubic meters of water (equivalent to 24 Olympic swimming pools), was constructed in Ödemiş. The pond is 2.5 meters deep and covers an area of 1,255 square meters. Aquifer tests determined that the design criteria include a percolation rate of 3 m³ per square meter per day over an infiltration area of 769 m², and it was constructed based on these hydraulic data. Water coming from agricultural areas into the pond is bio-filtered to remove harmful chemicals from agricultural pesticides before being fed into the aquifer system. In this respect, it is Turkey's first biological infiltration pond.
Reminding that they started rainwater harvesting with the Sponge City İzmir Project, Mayor Soyer said, “We will extend the project we implemented at Işıkkent Cemetery and the mosque within the cemetery to other cemeteries. This initiative, which both saves water and prevents floods, will serve as an example for Turkey."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer inspected two rainwater harvesting tanks, one with a capacity of 3 tons and the other 10 tons, installed at Bornova Işıkkent Cemetery and the Niyazi Zarife Ersoy Mosque within the cemetery. The tanks, aimed at conserving water to combat the drought caused by the global climate crisis, will collect rainwater accumulated on the roads around the cemetery. Excess water flowing from the fountains will also be collected and stored. Thus, the water needs of the green areas will be met through rainwater harvesting. The tanks will save 3,500 cubic meters of water annually.
5,000 Tanks for 5,000 Buildings
Reminding that the climate crisis is deepening and the threat of drought is growing daily, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer said, “Under these conditions, we must use water more efficiently. Therefore, we first became acquainted with the idea of rainwater harvesting. We decided that we should collect rainwater. With the Sponge City İzmir project, we started a project to collect rainwater from 5,000 buildings with 5,000 water tanks. One of the parallel initiatives is the rainwater tanks at Işıkkent Cemetery.”
To Be Used After Filtration
Emphasizing the importance of the project prepared to collect rainwater in the cemetery established on an 80,000 square meter area, Mayor Soyer said, “Our team has brought an extraordinary project to life through their efforts. The project enables the collection of rainwater falling on the area through the grates on the roads and, after filtration, its use in green areas and landscaping. For the first time in Turkey, a mosque is harvesting rainwater. The water tank we placed in the mosque at Işıkkent Cemetery will collect the rainwater from its roof and use it to green the landscape around the mosque."
“We Will Achieve Significant Savings”
Stating that the tanks benefit a greener environment and significant water savings, Mayor Soyer added, “But another important benefit is that there were three flood-prone points just outside Işıkkent Cemetery. This project eliminates the possibility of these flood points becoming a threat. It creates an opportunity to collect and store the water going to that area in these tanks. It is an extremely valuable initiative that solves the flood problem, saves water, and creates a green environment. It may seem like a small area, but we will extend this project to our other cemeteries. Thus, we will achieve significant savings. Moreover, we will have taken a meaningful measure against drought.”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Adds Another Rainwater Harvesting Initiative
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has added a new initiative to its rainwater harvesting efforts, which are of great importance in combating drought. To promote sustainable rainwater management, the Municipality launched the Sponge City Izmir project and created rain stops to raise awareness about the global climate crisis. In the initial phase, rainwater tanks were installed at five stops in Konak. Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer inspected the tanks, each with a 500-liter capacity, placed at ESHOT bus stops to collect rainwater for watering plants at the stops. The tanks are also visually striking.
“A Very Meaningful Initiative”
Expressing excitement about starting the day with a beautiful project, Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer noted that the initiative, although it may seem like a small step, is very meaningful. Mayor Soyer stated, “We are starting to collect rainwater at ESHOT bus stops with a mechanism placed on the roofs of the stops. We will use this water to irrigate the plants placed around the stops. It is a very effective project. We will eliminate the wastage of rainwater and make our stops even more beautiful.”
“We Face a Serious Drought Threat”
Emphasizing the importance of the project in preventing rainwater wastage, Mayor Tunç Soyer said, “Due to the climate crisis, we face a serious drought threat. We need to be prepared for the significant damage and harm that the climate crisis will cause.”
“Returning to Our Roots”
While trying to spread the Sponge City application throughout the city, Mayor Tunç Soyer highlighted that many methods are being implemented to ensure the efficient use of water. He said, “One of these methods is greening the city with the resilient vegetation that does not require much water and is compatible with the region's climate and soil history. Many species, from oleander to sandalwood, were once very strong in these lands but were later forgotten. We are beginning to change the landscape adorned with imported plants. In a sense, we are returning to our roots. This way, we will beautify our city with a vegetation cover that requires much less water.”
A Climate Crisis Awareness Project
Advisor to the Mayor, Alim Murathan, said, “To promote rainwater harvesting and green transformation in the city, we are distributing 5,000 tanks for free. This was a project aimed at creating a city dedicated to rainwater harvesting. Now, we have implemented the Rain Stops initiative as an awareness project explaining the effects of the climate crisis. We collect the water that falls on the stops and use it to water the plants behind the stops. This tells a story about the five impacts of the climate crisis: global warming, floods and flash floods, drought, and greenhouse gases, which are the source of global warming. We want our citizens to be inspired by this initiative and join our city's fight against the climate crisis.” ESHOT General Manager Erhan Bey also noted that this initiative conserves water, adding, “Additionally, the visual appeal of our stops will draw attention, and the rainwater will be used efficiently instead of going to waste.”
Kültürpark’taki İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Meclis Salonu’nda yapılan toplantıda Sünger Kent İzmir projesi ve teknik uygulama kılavuzu hakkında bilgi verildi. Toplantıya Bayraklı Belediye Başkanı Serdar Sandal ve İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin bürokratları da katıldı. Başkan Tunç Soyer, Sünger Kent projesini Türkiye’de ilk kez İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin başlattığına değinerek “Bununla gurur duyuyoruz ama bunun yayılması lazım. İlçe belediyelerimizin de diğer büyükşehir belediyelerinin de yapması lazım. Sonuçta kuraklıkla daha çok yüz yüze kalacağız. O zaman çok geç olabilir. Başka çözümler de üretmemiz gerekiyor” dedi.
“Birlikte kafa yormalıyız”
İnsanlığın inanılmaz bir kuraklık tehdidiyle karşı karşıya olduğunu vurgulayan Başkan Soyer, “Çok vahim bir durumla karşı karşıyayız. Kendi kurumsal kapasitemizle bununla nasıl başa çıkabiliriz, bu hikâyeyi nasıl hafifletebiliriz düşüncesinden yola çıkarak yaptığımız bir proje bu. Bu, sadece yağmur suyu deposu ve yağmur suyu bahçeleriyle sınırlı bir şey değil. Geçen hafta Ödemiş’te tarlalarda yağmur suyu toplayabilmek için 2 bin civarında sarnıç dağıtmak üzere toplantı yaptık. Ama bu topyekûn bir mücadeleyi gerektiriyor. O nedenle Sünger Kent oluşturma fikriyle ilgili her birinizin desteğine ihtiyaç duyuyoruz. Topyekûn özellikle İzmir’in metropol ilçelerdeki belediyelerimizin desteğiyle, işbirliğiyle yürümek mecburiyetimiz var” dedi.
Teknik kılavuz paylaşıldı
İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Başkan Danışmanı ve Jeoloji Mühendisi Alim Murathan ise projenin Başkan Soyer’in vizyonu sayesinde hayata geçirildiğini belirterek “Başkanımız 26 Aralık’ta projenin tanıtım toplantısını yaptı. Türkiye genelinden çok olumlu geri dönüşler aldık. Sadece Türkiye değil, Afrika’dan, Avustralya’dan, İngiltere’den çok sayıda kişi, akademisyen, bilim insanı Türkiye’de de böyle bir projenin başlamasından son derece hoşnut olduğunu söyledi. Bizim çalışmamızın özgünlüğü şu; biz Sünger Kenti bu kentin temel altyapı sistemi üzerine kurmayı planladık. Kentin zorlukları ve bize sunduğu olanakları dikkate alarak bir kentsel analiz yaptık. Bu analiz üzerine daha bütünlüklü bir proje ortaya koymaya çalıştık” dedi. Alim Murathan, “Herkes Sünger Kent pilot projesini yapabilmeli diye düşündük ve teknik kılavuz hazırladık. Kılavuz bir rehber niteliğinde. Biz bu toplantıyı bu kılavuzu sizlerle paylaşmak için yapıyoruz” diye konuştu.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer introduced the Sponge City Izmir project, shaped by his vision to combat drought, which aims to expand rainwater harvesting initiatives. Mayor Tunç Soyer emphasized the participation of citizens in rainwater storage facilities and rain gardens, stating, "Let's build the Sponge City project together. Let's collectively build the future of Izmir."
The presentation of the Sponge City Izmir project, implemented with the vision of "Another Water Management is Possible" by Mayor Tunç Soyer, took place at the Historic Gas Factory Youth Campus. This pioneering project in Turkey aims to scientifically store rainwater that falls on the city's streets, roads, and alleys underground. The project also involves harvesting and storing rainwater that falls on rooftops, allowing for its purification and reuse, as highlighted by Mayor Tunç Soyer.
The presentation event was attended by Neptün Soyer, the wife of Mayor Tunç Soyer and the President of Köy-Koop Izmir Union, as well as the mayors of Konak, Karşıyaka, and Güzelbahçe, along with municipal officials, village headmen, building and site managers, property owners, and representatives from public and private schools.
"The only way to improve our world is through cities"
Mayor Tunç Soyer, speaking about the project that will make Izmir the first sponge city in Turkey, discussed examples of correct and incorrect urbanization, stating, "Cities produce food, electricity, goods, and raw materials for themselves using the life energy on our planet. In return, they only leave behind plastic waste, carbon dioxide, war, and poverty. We have long known that this destructive relationship between cities and ecosystems is unsustainable."
Mayor Soyer emphasized the significant steps taken over the past three years to eliminate this destructive relationship in Izmir, stating, "The only way to improve our world is through cities. The urban population rate has now exceeded 55%, and it is predicted to reach 68-70% by 2050. Clearly, the future world will be a world of cities. That is why, if we are sincere about living on this planet, we must find solutions in cities to all our concerns about living on this planet. The only way to achieve this is to make cities a part of the natural cycles of nature. If we are sincere about sustaining our existence on this planet, we must believe that another form of urbanization is possible and take bold, decisive steps in that direction. That's what we are trying to do in Izmir."
"We are starting a brand new era that can be called a revolution"
Mayor Soyer recalled that about two years ago, they organized the "Sustainable Water Policies in Cities Summit" in Izmir with 11 metropolitan mayors, where they declared "Another Water Management is Possible" and published a manifesto on the topic. One of the manifesto's five key principles was to "preserve the water cycle of nature." Mayor Soyer pointed out that due to incorrect urbanization, the water cycle of nature has been destroyed in cities for over 60 years. Impermeable surfaces covering everywhere due to concrete-focused growth created an artificial shell between soil and water. Expensive rainwater channels were planned to drain water within the city, which could not penetrate the ground due to economic reasons in many cities, including Izmir. When climate crisis was added to incorrect urbanization, the problem became increasingly significant. Therefore, in Izmir, substantial investments have been made since 2019 to complete the city's rainwater canal infrastructure to prevent floods and inundations and simultaneously clean Izmir Bay. Today, they are starting a brand new era in the management of rainwater.
"Our goal is to turn Izmir into a sponge city within 5 years"
Mayor Soyer stated that they established the Water Resources Research and Application Center one and a half years ago to plan and develop the technical infrastructure of the Sponge City Izmir project. He highlighted that this unit, consisting of various experts, produced a specific program for Izmir through a year and a half of work. Mayor Soyer mentioned that they passed Turkey's first sponge city regulation in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Council in October as part of this program. He added, "Our team has also prepared a comprehensive technical implementation guide to promote sponge city applications within the city. We will share this guide with our districts, enabling them to implement similar practices. On the other hand, we are on the verge of finalizing the planning studies for the Bostanlı and Poligon streams within the sponge city concept with academics from Izmir Institute of Technology and the Dutch company HNS. Our goal is to turn Izmir into a sponge city within five years. In doing so, we aim to reduce the flow of rainwater within the city by 70% in five years."
"We will give 5,000 rainwater tanks to 5,000 buildings"
Mayor Soyer highlighted one of the most important features of the Sponge City Izmir project, emphasizing the participation of all citizens living in Izmir. He said, "We will implement two comprehensive applications of our project with our citizens. The first is rainwater harvesting. We will utilize the rain that falls on our city and return it to the natural water cycle. We will provide a rainwater tank to 5,000 buildings as an incentive for the system setup. We are starting this application today. The amount of water falling on our city roofs is more than the water accumulated annually in our largest drinking water source, the Tahtalı Dam. Unfortunately, the rain that falls on our city flows in vain, gets polluted, causes floods and inundations. With 5,000 rainwater tanks, we will not only save water but also contribute to the cleaning of the bay and support the prevention of floods and inundations."
"10,000 rain gardens campaign is starting"
Mayor Soyer emphasized that the second application is the "10,000 Rain Gardens for Izmir" campaign. He stated, "For 10,000 citizens who apply for rain gardens, we will provide the plants they will plant in their rain gardens. We are starting this application today as well. With each rain garden we create in Izmir, we will prevent rainwater from our streets and avenues from reaching the sewage system, protecting us from floods, cleaning our water, and thus returning it to nature. With the Sponge City Izmir, apart from these two applications, we will implement many pilot projects gradually in urban and rural areas. Izmir will have a blue and green infrastructure. Water will flow back to the soil on the streets, avenues, roofs, and gardens of Izmir."
"Each one will be a guide for Turkey"
Mayor Soyer concluded by stating that each of these projects will serve as a guide for Turkey: "Our individual efforts to solve global crises will clearly not be enough. The harmony among our actions is as important as the harmony of our cities with nature. That's why I invite all Izmir residents to join our Sponge City project. Let's build the Sponge City project together with rainwater tanks and rain garden applications. Together, let's build the future of Izmir. Let's fight against drought and floods together."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Chief Advisor and geological engineer Alim Murathan provided technical information about the project. He explained that a modeling specific to Izmir was conducted with the Sponge City project and elaborated on the measures to prevent floods and inundations.
Applications have started
With this initiative, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality aims to support homes and businesses
Sünger kent İzmir projemiz kapsamında 5000 adet yağmursuyu deposu dağıtımı ile başlattığımız yağmur suyu hasadına yönelik çalışmalarımızı bir adım ileriye taşıyoruz. Yağmur depolarımızda biriktireceğimiz yağmur sularını arıtarak evlerimizde ve binalarımızda kullanabileceğiz. İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi olarak ilk pilot projemizi Gaziemir İtfaiye birimimizde gerçekleştirdik. Gaziemir İtfaiye binamızın çatısından hasat ettiğimiz yağmur suyunu yağmur depomuzda biriktirerek, ultrafiltrasyon ünitesi içeren bir arıtma sistemi ile arıtarak binamızda kullanıyoruz. Arıtma sonrası içme suyu standartlarına ulaştırdığımız yağmursuları itfaiye binamızda içerisinde mutfakta, tuvaletlerde ve duşlarda kullanılıyor. Aynı zamanda İtfaiye araç parkı çatısından hasat ettiğimiz suları da mevcut yangın havuzumuzda depolayarak yangınlarda müdahale suyu olarak kullanacağız. Toplamda 24 kişinin çalıştığı binamızda uygulanan bu proje ile yıllık toplam 222 ton su ve yaklaşık 7000 TL tasarruf yapılabilecektir.
YAĞMUR SUYU DEPOLAMA VE ARITMA SİSTEMLERİMİZİ DÜZENLİ ARALIKLARLA İZLİYORUZ Pilot projelerimizde yer alan yağmur suyu depolarımızdan ve yağmur suyu arıtma sistemi çıkışımızdan düzenli olarak alınan numuneler, İZSU laboratuvarında içme suyu yönetmelik standartlarına göre analiz edilmektedir. Böylece yağmur suyu depolama ve arıtma sistemlerimizin performansı değerlendirilmektedir
İzmir Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Tunç Soyer’in sözünü verdiği 35 Yaşayan Park projesi kapsamında hayata geçirilen Fırat Yaşayan Parkı Bucalıların yeni buluşma mekanı oldu. Kentin içine doğayı taşıyan Fırat Yaşayan Parkı'ndaki etkinlikte konuşan Başkan Soyer, “Bu şehirde kişi başı yeşil alanı 16 metrekareden 30 metrekareye çıkaracağımızın sözünü vermiştik. Bunu gerçekleştiriyoruz” dedi.
İzmirlilerin doğa ve ormanla bütünleşeceği “Yaşayan Parklar” oluşturan İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Buca’da “Fırat Yaşayan Parkı”nı hayata geçirdi. 20 Mayıs Dünya Arı Günü’nde İzmir Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Tunç Soyer’in ev sahipliğinde düzenlenen etkinliğe Başkan Soyer’in eşi Neptün Soyer, İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Genel Sekreteri Barış Karcı, CHP İzmir İl Başkanı Şenol Aslanoğlu, Buca Belediye Başkanı Erhan Kılıç, Fırat Mahallesi Muhtarı Feramut Eroğlu, belediye bürokratları ve muhtarlar katıldı. Buca’ya nefes aldıracak 30 bin metrekarelik bir alan olarak tasarlanan Fırat Yaşayan Parkı'nda çocuk oyunları, spor etkinlikleri, köy tiyatrosu gösterimi ve arıcılık faaliyetleri de düzenlendi.
Kişi başı yeşil alanı 16 metrekareden 36 metrekareye çıkaracağız
35 yıldır belediyenin fidanlığı olarak kullanılan alanı halkla buluşturmanın mutluluğunu yaşadığını dile getiren İzmir Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Tunç Soyer, “Bu araziyi insanlarımızın gündelik alanlarda kullanabilmesi için hayal etmiştik. Emek veren bütün arkadaşlarıma teşekkür ediyorum. Adına 'yaşayan park' diyoruz çünkü kentlerde betona öyle sıkıştık ki doğadan koptuk; uzaklaştık. Çocuklarımız sütü fabrikada şişelenen bir şey zannediyor. Çocuklarımız doğadan uzaklaştı. İstiyoruz ki çocuklarımız ekosistemi tanısınlar, doğanın bir parçası olduklarını hatırlasınlar. Hedefimiz kente 35 Yaşayan Park kazandırmak. Bu şehirde kişi başı düşen yeşil alanı 16 metrekareden 30 metrekareye çıkaracağımızın sözünü vermiştik. Bunu gerçekleştiriyoruz” dedi.
Buca metrosu zamanında bitecek
Buca’nın 30 ilçe içerisinde Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin en büyük yatırımı yaptığı ilçe olduğunu hatırlatan Başkan Tunç Soyer, “Buca Metrosu İzmir’in büyük yatırımıdır. İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin öz gücüyle yaptığı bir yatırımdır. Biz hizmete, çalışmaya doymayacağız. Yapacağımız çok iş var. Buca Cezaevi arazisini İzmir’in en güzel yeşil alanı yapacağız. Ben iktidarın belediyesi de muhalefetin belediyesi de ne demek çok iyi biliyorum. Sizlerden bir şey rica ediyorum. Bize bunu yaşatın. Şu ana kadar Buca’ya bir yaptıysak 10’a hazır olun. Tek tek hayata geçireceğiz. Haftaya Buca Metrosu’na dev köstebekle giriş yapacağız. Buca Metrosu zamanında bitecek. Hiç kuşkunuz olmasın. Buca Metrosu'nu 4 sene içerisinde açmış olacağız. Buca Metrosu kendi kendini finanse eden bir yatırım olacak” şeklinde konuştu.
Göreceksiniz kazanacağız
Bu güzel bahar gününde Türkiye’ye kalıcı baharlar yaşatmak istediklerinin altını önemle çizen Başkan Soyer, “Çocuklarımızın iş derdi olmadan yaşayacağı bir memleket mümkün. Bir hafta kaldı. Tek bir şey rica ediyorum. Sandığa gidin ve oyunuza sahip çıkın. Halkın iktidar olduğu, namusun, dürüstlüğün, hakkın, hukukun, adaletin iktidar olduğu bir memleket bizi bekliyor. Göreceksiniz kazanacağız. Bir şey değişecek, her şey değişecek” ifadelerini kullandı.
Sosyal demokrat belediyeciliğin en güzel örneğini Buca’da sergiledik
Buca Belediye Başkanı Erhan Kılıç da “Bundan dört yıl önce göreve geldiğimizde Tunç Başkan ile beraber Buca’da mahallede dolaşıyorduk. Başkanımızın ilk söylediği şey önceliği dezavantajlı mahallelere vermekti. Bizler sosyal demokrat belediyeciliğin en güzel örneğini Buca’da sergiledik. Üç yıldan beri Başkanımızın aldığı çöp araçları sayesinde kat ve kat daha iyi bir noktaya geldik. Dezavantajlı bölgelerdeki en önemli problemlerden biri yağmur sularından kaynaklanan problemlerdi. Biraz zorluk çekildi. Yoğun yağışlarda artık eskiden yaşadığımız problemler kalmadı. Yeşil alan konusunda Buca Belediyesi çok ciddi çalışma yapıyor. Çok güzel günlerde buluşmak üzere” diye konuştu.
Kısa bir sürede parka kavuştuk
2019 muhtarlık seçimlerinde mahallesine yaşam alanı kazandırmayı hedeflediğini dile getiren Fırat Mahallesi Muhtarı Feramut Eroğlu, “Bir hayalimiz vardı. 7’den 70’e herkesin keyifle vakit geçirebileceği bir alanı bölgemize kazandırmak istiyorduk. Bucamıza ve mahallemize çok yakışan bu projemizi hayata geçiren Başkanımız Tunç Soyer’e çok teşekkür ediyorum. Kısa bir sürede isteğimiz gerçekleşti. Tunç Başkan defalarca çalışmaları yerinde inceledi. Başkanımız sadece İzmir için değil ülkemiz için de hizmet veriyor. Deprem bölgesindeki çalışmalarla yaptıklarınızı görünce sizlerle bir kez daha gurur duyuyoruz” şeklinde konuştu.
Ekosistem, toplumsal etkileşim ve tarımsal üretim
35 yıldır fidan deposu olarak kullanılan, üç futbol sahası büyüklüğündeki Fırat Yaşayan Parkı’nda semt sakinlerinin talepleri üzerine yürüyüş rotaları, çay bahçesi, dinlenme ve çocuklar için oyun alanları, basketbol sahası yer alıyor. Ayrıca parkta sera ve mahalle bostanı da bulunuyor. Altında su kaynağı bulunan parkta, bu kaynaktan faydalanarak çayır alanı ile bağlantılı bir biyolojik gölet de yapıldı. Fırat Yaşayan Parkı, insanı doğayla bütünleştirerek ekosistemi koruma, toplumsal etkileşim ve tarımsal üretim olmak üzere üç amaca hizmet ediyor.
Parktaki ağaçlar 3-4 yıl sulamaya ihtiyaç duymayacak türden seçildi
Parkta yapılan bitkilendirme çalışmaları, ömrünün bir kısmını İzmir’de geçiren ve İzmir’in en büyük yeşil alanı Kültürpark’ın ağaçlandırılmasına büyük emek veren Cevat Şakir Kabağaç’a (Halikarnas Balıkçısı) ithaf edildi. Parkın pek çok yerinde Cevat Şakir’in uyguladığı bitkilendirme yöntemlerinden ilham alındı. Fırat Fidanlığı’nın Yaşayan Park’a dönüştürülmesi için yapılan ağaçlandırma çalışmalarında İzmir’in iklim ve doğasına uygun bitkiler kullanıldı. Buca’ya kazandırılan otuz bin metrekarelik parkta palamut meşesi, pırnal meşesi, ıhlamur, çınar, sekoya, servi, Datça hurması, badem, sakız, delice zeytin, erguvan, kekik, karabaş otu, defne, ılgın, dut, süs armutu, nar gibi türlerin yanı sıra hanımeli, manolya, sarı çiçekli yasemin gibi kokulu bitkiler de toprakla buluştu.Parktaki ağaçlar, 3-4 yıl sonra sulamaya ihtiyaç duyulmayacak türlerden seçildi.
Yaşayan Park, halkın istek ve ihtiyaçlarına göre tasarlandı
Fırat Yaşayan Parkı, Buca’da beş mahalleye olan yakınlığıyla büyük önem taşıyor. Fırat Yaşayan Parkı’na yönelik talep, Başkan Soyer’in İzmir’in her bir mahallesindeki ihtiyaçları hızlı ve etkili bir şekilde çözmek için oluşturduğu Acil Çözüm Ekibi tarafından tespit edilmişti. Park alanı İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Meclisi kararıyla Haziran 2022’de belediye şirketi İzDoğa’ya çay bahçesi olarak kiralandı ve bir yıldan kısa sürede Yaşayan Park’a dönüştü. Parkın yapımında İzDoğa’nın yanı sıra İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Acil Çözüm Ekibi’nin diğer paydaşları olan İZBETON, İZSU, İZENERJİ ile Park ve Bahçeler Dairesi, Fen İşleri Dairesi ve Yapı İşleri Dairesi görev aldı.
