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Bursa,Türkiye

Bursa is a historical city founded as an important city of the Kingdom of Bithynia in ancient times, and later came under Roman and Byzantine rule. It was conquered by Orhan Gazi in 1326 and became the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman period, the city flourished in trade, silk production, and architecture, and throughout history has stood out as an important cultural and economic center. With a population of approximately 3.3 million, the city boasts a developed industry, extensive agricultural areas, and diverse industries ranging from textiles to furniture

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Bursa is a city with a very strong natural environment, boasting lush green forests, fertile plains, and abundant water resources. Uludağ, in particular, stands out for both its winter tourism and its cool summer highlands. It is home to various endemic plants and has national parks that protect wildlife. The waterfalls, lakes, and nature parks in the city make Bursa a vibrant and peaceful natural habitat throughout all four seasons. Furthermore, Bursa is a city with a coastline.

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Ecosystems in Large Cities The living system formed by the interaction of people, plants, animals, and the physical environment (air, water, soil) living within a city is called an urban ecosystem. In this ecosystem, parks, trees, water sources, street animals, and even buildings are all part of a whole. However, dense construction, traffic, and pollution can disrupt this balance; therefore, sustainable urban planning is of great importance.

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The urban ecosystem is the balance created by plants, animals, and natural processes that coexist with human settlements; preserving this balance is essential for a sustainable city.

Green spaces (parks, forests, groves) improve air quality, regulate temperature, and enhance quality of life in cities.

Carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gases a city releases into the atmosphere as a result of its activities, from transportation to industry; increasing public transportation, energy efficiency, and green spaces are important for reducing it.

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What is an Sustainable City?

A sustainable city is a model that meets the needs of the present while preserving environmental, economic, and social balances, and without jeopardizing the quality of life for future generations.

In such cities, energy efficiency, the preservation of green spaces, the use of public transportation, waste management, and a clean environment are prioritized; the goal is to create a livable and long-term sustainable city.

Parks and trees in cities improve air quality by reducing harmful gases and producing oxygen. They also regulate temperature, reducing the heat generated by urbanization and creating a cooler environment.

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Furthermore, it is crucial for human health and quality of life; it provides areas for rest, sports, and socialization. In addition, it contributes to the protection of the urban ecosystem by creating habitats for birds and other living creatures. Excessive building in cities leads to a decrease in natural areas and the disappearance of green spaces, which in turn reduces the habitats of plants and animals. As concrete construction increases, air pollution and temperatures rise, and the risk of flooding increases because rainwater cannot be absorbed by the soil.

Moreover, the natural balance is disrupted, and the urban ecosystem weakens. To protect the environment in cities, vehicle-related pollution can be reduced by promoting public transportation, cycling, and walking. Green areas should be protected and increased, and afforestation efforts should be undertaken. Recycling and waste management systems should also be developed, and water and energy conservation should be widespread.

The use of renewable energy and conscious urban planning also play an important role in environmental protection.

Care, organise and protect

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To reduce air pollution in the city, it is necessary to expand the use of public transportation, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

To prevent further urbanization, green spaces should be protected, and vertical architecture and planned urban development should be encouraged.

�To reduce traffic congestion, public transportation systems such as subways and trams should be strengthened, bicycle paths should be increased, and the use of private vehicles should be restricted.

What can we do to lower the pollution?

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