Türkiye-Bursa: Sponge cities for greener and climate-resilient urban life.

As the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, our goal is to establish a sustainable city that distinguishes itself through the implementation of smart city projects within our Smart City and Innovation Department.

Focusing on climate change sustainability and the concept of "sponge cities", we recognize that the climate crisis has emphasized shifts in precipitation patterns, resulting in both droughts and intense storms with substantial water volumes. Consequently, urban areas face the threat of flooding, which can inflict severe damage on vital infrastructure.

To address these challenges, the sponge city concept emerges as a solution that relies on green infrastructure to manage surface water effectively. It involves the filtration, absorption, storage, and treatment of rainwater, providing a multi-faceted approach to mitigating flood risk and improving water quality. This makes the city not only more resilient to flooding but also cleaner, allowing for greater sustainability and the potential for water reuse.

Given that Bursa has experienced its share of flood disasters, the implementation of sponge city projects can significantly enhance the city's resilience to such calamities. Furthermore, the emphasis on increasing green spaces can play a vital role in combatting the issue of urban heat islands, contributing to a more comfortable and sustainable urban environment.

Published on 23 October 2023.