"What Kind of Izmir" series started with Vision 2074 of Izmir panel
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Designed as a multi-dimensional and participatory process to craft Izmir's vision for the next 50 years, the panel welcomed Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman and Izmir Congressman Murat Bakan, district mayors, representatives from political parties, professional chambers, non-governmental organizations, council members, bureaucrats, and academics.
The event commenced with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu, Head of IZPA, titled "What is Vision 2074?" This was followed by a presentation by moderator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murad Tiryakioğlu, titled "What Kind of Izmir?" The panel featured discussions by esteemed speakers Prof. Dr. Saniye Dedeoğlu, Prof. Dr. Savaş Zafer Şahin, and Prof. Dr. Fikret Adaman. Concluding the event, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay delivered remarks during the closing and evaluation session.
"I felt like a mini revolution was starting"
Mayor Tugay opened his speech by expressing gratitude to the participants, stating, “I felt like the beginning of a mini revolution is taking place here today. The transition from theory to practice is the responsibility of all of us, particularly politicians and public administrators. IZPA has enabled us to take a very significant step forward. Our esteemed professors, with whom we collaborated as the Scientific Committee in Karşıyaka during the previous term, are here, and together, we will undertake very serious work."
Mayor Tugay emphasized the importance of leaving a lasting legacy: “We assumed office for a 5-year term, but we do not want our only mark to be a carbon footprint. We want to lay the first steps toward doing the right things for this city. We believe in our city, we believe in our municipality. As individuals who deeply love Izmir, Turkey, and even the world, and who respect the values of humanity, we want to drive change by contributing our efforts and labor. The logic is simple: We are in 2024; let’s look back 50 years. If this logic had guided decision-making then, how would Izmir look today? How would the quality of life, development, industry, agriculture, natural ecosystems, education, health, and universities have evolved? We can confidently say it would have been better."
He continued, “Many of the problems we face today stem from a lack of planning. These challenges could have been foreseen and mitigated. While we may not personally witness the next 50 years or 2074, the work we are initiating today holds tremendous importance. It is a crucial step towards shaping a better future.”
"The good guys will win in the end"
Highlighting the importance of working in the light of science, Mayor Tugay stated: “I will make great efforts over the next four and a half years to ensure that the action plans we develop are implemented, that their results are visible, and that this work gains widespread trust. The observations and findings of our professors highlight our shortcomings and provide invaluable guidance on what needs to be done.”
He continued by emphasizing the vital role of moral and knowledgeable individuals: “I believe there is only one condition for the world to endure in the future: good people must prevail. People who are knowledgeable, who believe in science, who are moral, and who have learned not to violate the rights of others. I believe these people are here, present in this city, in this country, and there are many of them. Our role is to work: to believe in knowledge and science, to trust those who know, and to listen to them.”
Mayor Tugay expressed his vision for collective progress: “I think the collective good can only be achieved by considering the well-being of everyone and all living beings, leaving no one behind. Without this approach, I believe life as we know it will not endure. But because we possess the instinct to live, the good will ultimately triumph. And perhaps, in the future, they will be accompanied by robots and artificial intelligence. Let them. We will make them do the work that is challenging, unpleasant, or beyond human capability.”
The programme will continue with the Food and Agriculture panel
The panel series has been designed to address Izmir's priority challenges and opportunities for the future. Each session is dedicated to a specific theme, fostering discussions among participants and featuring academicians who are experts in their respective fields. Panels are organized under the following themes: Agriculture and Food, Gulf and Basins, Artificial Intelligence and Data for the City, Regional Development and Urban Innovation, Design City and Urban Design, One Health and Living Together in Izmir. These sessions provide a platform for exploring ideas and strategies to shape a sustainable and innovative future for Izmir.
Complementary efforts that will shape the future of Izmir
The “What Kind of Izmir?” panel series will be complemented by workshops and City Meetings, creating a holistic approach to planning Izmir's future. Scheduled for March and April, the City Meetings aim to foster a participatory perspective on the city's challenges and their solutions. These events will engage diverse groups, including children, youth, the elderly, women, individuals with disabilities, and migrants, ensuring that all voices are heard in shaping Izmir's future.