Mayor’s Message

Dear Residents of Istanbul,
The effects of global warming are making themselves felt more severely all over the world. Recent disasters such as forest fires and floods in our country clearly show that we do not have time to lose in the fight against global warming. We need to give nature the value it deserves and treat our planet much better for a sustainable life. One of the most important ways to achieve this is to protect our green spaces, increase the number of active green spaces, and transform our cities into cities that are compatible with nature and environmentally friendly.

Green spaces are of great importance not only in terms of protecting the environment but also in terms of increasing the quality of life of city residents, creating an environment where they can breathe and have a pleasant time with their families. It is important to increase the amount of green space per capita and create systematic and accessible green spaces throughout the city in achieving our goal of transforming Istanbul into a city where healthy, happy, and peaceful people live.
Before I took office as the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, I had promised a “fair, green, and creative” Istanbul. After taking office, we have taken and continue to take very precious steps in this regard with our urban forests, life valleys, parks, and gardens. Increasing the amount of green space where our people can actively benefit is among our most important goals.

As Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we take great care to serve our people with a participatory and transparent understanding. We want to design a livable city together with our people, by participating the real owners of the city, the people of Istanbul, in governance by developing projects in the light of common sense and science. The Green Space Management System (YAYSİS) is a very valuable step in this sense.

We will obtain up-to-date inventory and visuals of open and green spaces in our city with YAYSİS, affiliated with the IMM Department of Parks, Gardens, and Green Spaces, and make them accessible to our citizens. The latest data on the open and green spaces of Istanbul will be collected here. Thus, we will have the opportunity to clearly determine the status of open and green spaces in our city, the missing points and regions, and our development spaces. Our site will also include online surveys, events, data exchanges, and projects that will ensure the participation of the community.

Our goal is to develop visions, policies, actions, and strategies for 2024, 2030, and 2050 with a holistic approach regarding the green spaces of IMM, with the participation of academicians and stakeholders. To determine our roadmap on this issue by creating a Strategy Document on Green Space Management System.

It is of great importance for our future that we make our city resistant to ecological crises and disasters, and a healthy urban environment with a high quality of life, by progressing in a planned and programmed way on the path of common sense and science. I believe with all my heart that we will create and achieve a “fair, green, and creative” Istanbul together.

Warm and best regards

Ekrem İmamoğlu
Metropolitan Municipality Mayor