Izmir Metropolitan Municipality presents coastal urban strategy at WUF13 in Baku

The creation of public spaces usable year-round in Izmir is the main goal, Sara Karimi Bodur, representative of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, said during the event Bridges for Cooperation: In Search of Best Solutions for Sustainable Housing and Resilient Cities – Voices from Cities held within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

The official highlighted that Izmir – located on the Mediterranean coast – combines a densely urbanized center, rural areas, and coastal districts, all facing different seasonal pressures: "As a result, there is a need for diverse public spaces and mobility solutions. Housing pressure is not limited to residential buildings; it also affects coastal areas. In coastal cities, population density rises in summer, leading to transport and parking problems, and unequal access to the shoreline."

She added that this situation also creates additional pressure on cleaning, maintenance, and fragile coastal ecosystems: "The problem is not the lack of beaches, but the fact that coastal areas are designed only for short-term seasonal use. In summer, beaches and public spaces are overloaded, while in winter they remain completely empty. This leads to spatial inequality, inefficient use of infrastructure, and ecological challenges. The goal is to create a model of public space on the coast that functions year-round. We propose the model we call the 'Super Beach.' In this approach, beaches are considered as infrastructure elements of daily life. The model envisions continuous accessibility, maintenance, ecological sensitivity, and everyday use. It is based on analyzing coastal characteristics, principles of sustainable proximity for social life, and a place-based urban planning approach."