A very accurate warning…

It is possible to come across these images frequently in a park anywhere in our country.

While fulfilling its duty to maintain, repair, and clean up facilities in public parks, gardens, and municipal facilities, the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality also issued a warning to its citizens. The warning is timely and justified. So, how does this work globally? In many cities around the world, when a park or recreational area is built in a residential area, the residents are consulted for their input, requests, and opinions, and their approval is obtained. This process creates a learning process that fosters awareness and ownership. Afterward, the management of large parks and recreational areas is handed over to the residents of the area.  

So, don't those who use the parks have any responsibility?

While fulfilling its duties of maintaining, repairing, and cleaning facilities in public parks and gardens and municipal facilities in Kayseri, the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality rightfully warned its citizens. The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality expects citizens to be sensitive about the protection of the environment and public facilities. Emphasizing that the environment and public facilities are shared values for all citizens, Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality officials emphasize the importance of protecting and keeping the environment and public facilities, which serve as second homes for people, clean.

Collaboration with those who consume the service…

The news in question was taken from the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality website. We encounter these and similar situations in the parks and gardens of every city. So, these problems aren't just a problem for Kayseri; they're a problem for all local governments in our country. So how can citizens' habits be changed? Of course, the answer isn't "education." However, the solution is easy. In many cities around the world, when a park or recreational area is built in a settlement, the residents of that area are consulted for their input, requests, and opinions, and their approval is obtained. This practice creates a learning process of becoming informed and taking ownership. Subsequently, the management of large parks and recreational areas, in particular, is left to the citizens living in that area. The resulting citizen initiative takes responsibility for the park, with established management rules, while the local government monitors the situation and collaborates in implementing the decisions made. But has anyone in Türkiye seen a local government implement this? We haven't seen any. NOTE: This comment is not specific to Kayseri; it simply serves as an opportunity for comment.