HE TALKED ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS

SPOKE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS THEMED "CODE RED FOR THE WORLD"

İMAMOĞLU: WE MUST ACT TOGETHER TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

SISLI / ISTANBUL

Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of the Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), spoke at the 60th World Congress of the TMMOB Chamber of Landscape Architects and the International Federation of Landscape Architecture (IFLA). İmamoğlu, noting that the congress was held under the theme "Code Red for Earth," said the following in his English speech:

“THE HEAT WAVE IS 46 DAYS LONGER THAN IN THE 1960s”

"'Code Red for Earth' is not just a slogan; it's the world's call to us. We, as people living on Earth, have an urgent obligation to respond to this call. Cities are both the biggest perpetrators and the biggest victims of the climate crisis. Let's examine the gravity of the situation with just one example: A study covering 50 cities found that the average heat wave interval in 2024 was approximately 46 days longer than in the 1960s. This single example alone is enough to demonstrate that we must undertake serious efforts to minimize the negative effects of climate change in cities in the coming years. Of course, we must also continue multifaceted efforts to slow and ultimately stop global warming, both in national and urban policies."

“ISTANBUL HAS ACCEPTED THE GOAL OF BECOMING A CARBON-NEUTRAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE-RESISTANT CITY BY 2050”

Due to its location in a climate zone and high population, Istanbul is also experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, and it's a clear fact that these impacts will rapidly increase in the coming years. As Istanbul, we recognize that the slogan 'Code Red for Earth' is an extremely timely call, and I would like to emphasize that I consider the development of comprehensive social and spatial policies regarding the hardships caused by the climate crisis one of our most important goals. As a member of the C40, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) signed the 'Deadline 2020 Commitment' in October 2019, embracing Istanbul's goal of becoming a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient city by 2050. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Istanbul is one of our most important strategies. To develop lasting solutions for mitigation, we aim to establish low-emission zones in urban areas and are working to establish these zones at numerous locations within the city, totaling 20 square kilometers.

“WE ARE CARRYING OUT IMPORTANT WORKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE”

We are conducting significant work with the discipline of landscape architecture, which aims to design and manage natural and built environments within the context of ecological sustainability, collective memory, heritage, and culture, using aesthetic and scientific principles. We are also developing significant projects with our landscape architects on topics such as the preservation of urban heritage, the protection of natural and cultural landscapes, and the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. In our 'Istanbul 2050 Vision Strategic Plan,' we address climate change as one of the most significant threats affecting the future of the planet and threatening human well-being. With the theme of 'City that Protects the Environment and Adapts to a Changing Climate,' we prioritize the preservation, improvement, and restoration of existing natural assets. We are defining a northern living corridor, which defines the boundary between the urban fabric and the natural world. We aim to protect, enhance, and restore forests, water basins, the seas surrounding Istanbul, and the ecosystems they host for future generations, taking the highest precautions, and to reconnect fragmented ecosystems.

“WE ARE ABOUT TO COMPLETE OUR DETAILED URBAN HEAT MAP STUDY”

In our Istanbul Vision 2050 plan, increasing the adaptability of urban infrastructure to disasters such as extreme heat waves, floods, and inundations, and reducing vulnerability to climate risks are among our main topics, and sub-actions have been identified. We are also nearing completion of our detailed urban heat map study to address urban heat islands. Additionally, expanding practices such as green roofs and rain ponds in Istanbul, and implementing graywater planning in new buildings are among our goals. Ensuring climate justice, ensuring a fair sharing of responsibility in combating pollution and addressing climate change, is also one of our most important themes. In this context, we are also working on identifying social groups expected to be affected by climate risks, reducing their vulnerability, and addressing potential economic inequalities as sub-topics within the plan.

“AS ISTANBUL, WE FEEL RESPONSIBILITY DEEPLY”

To mitigate the damage caused by the global climate crisis, strengthen cities' adaptation, and manage its impacts, our goal of increasing cities' capacity to adapt to climate change and citizens' participation in the fight against it is supported by numerous subprojects. As a much more detailed initiative, we have prepared the 'Istanbul Climate Change Action Plan.' The theme of 'Code Red for Earth,' which will be discussed at this congress today, reminds us of the urgent ecological threats facing our planet. We must act together to combat the climate crisis and build a sustainable future. At this point, I want to emphasize the critical role that the collaboration of local and central governments plays in making our cities more resilient, more livable, and more sustainable. As Istanbul, we deeply feel this responsibility and continue our work in this direction.

Other opening speeches of the congress were made by IFLA President Bruno Marques, IFLA 2024 Organization President Yasin Otuzoğlu, and Chamber of Landscape Architects President Barış Işık.