On the 5th of March 2019, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality held a workshop on topics like choosing ideal locations for the urban parks in Izmir, their function, design principles, business scenarios, forms of analysis and accessibility. The event took place in the Ahmet Adnan Saygun Art Center under the coordination of the Department of Studies and Projects. Around 70 participants from academy, non-governmental organizations, chambers and related municipal units attended the workshop.
Cities’ rapid growth and increased environmental pressure require the protection of the urban environment. This is based on the interaction between the city and the natural surroundings, which play an active role in the preservation of urban health and endurance. New and effective management measures are being developed for the protection of the surrounding areas and the many ecosystem they provide.
In this context, the actions to be undertaken in the surrounding areas as part of the İzmir Green Infrastructure strategy and within the Urban GreenUP Project were discussed. One example are the “Ecoparks”, urban wall parks which are becoming important references in terms of not only protecting the environment and urban health, but also of ensuring the interactions of individuals with nature and by introducing sustainable, environment-friendly, ecological lifestyles.
The discussion will help determine and implement the strategies of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for environmental protection and international collaborations, such as the EUROPARC Federation. After the workshop, a series of activities will be launched to identify the project areas and promote active voluntary participation.