Yenişehir offers climate and education solutions to Europe

Mersin Yenişehir Municipality has emerged as a leading model in environmental and technological innovation, distinguishing itself within the European Union's NetZeroCities program. Out of hundreds of participating municipalities, Yenişehir is the sole district municipality to be selected among the top 22, showcasing its pioneering efforts in sustainable urban development.

The municipality's commitment to a science-based management approach has redefined city planning. Its initiatives span a wide range, from early childhood education and digital twin technologies to renewable energy and ecological agriculture. These projects are fundamentally altering traditional municipal operations. A significant achievement is Yenişehir's inclusion in the NetZeroCities program's Cohort 4, funded by the EU and focused on creating climate-neutral cities.

As part of the program, Yenişehir has been paired with Sofia, Bulgaria, as its mission city and Győr, Hungary, as its twin city. During a recent two-day research and development visit to Sofia, Yenişehir presented its environmental and climate-focused projects as best practice examples. The Bulgarian capital is now preparing to adapt Yenişehir's green building model, BETEM 1, and its digital twin-based microclimate simulation studies to its own urban context.

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We are now preparing to adapt the Beceri Temelli Eğitim Merkezi (BETEM) 1 green building and digital twin-based microclimate simulation studies within Yenişehir Municipality's subsidiary Yenişehir İşletmecilik A.Ş. to our own city.

European experts showed considerable interest in the methodology and application processes developed by Yenişehir for its BETEM 1 Green Building and digital twin-based microclimate simulations. Yenişehir Municipality has pledged technical support for the project's implementation in Europe. This collaboration extends beyond technology transfer; Yenişehir will also learn from Sofia's work on climate change adaptation and future scenario planning. In turn, Yenişehir plans to implement scenario-based approaches for assessing future climate risks.

Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit expressed satisfaction with the international attention these projects have garnered, stating that the BETEM model has become a success story extending beyond Turkey's borders. "Last week, our R&D unit..." Özyiğit began, indicating ongoing development and future plans.

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BETEM model has now become a success story that transcends Turkey's borders.