The “Resilient and Green Nicosia Workshop,” which brings together academics, local government representatives, and professionals from the TRNC, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, continues with the aim of strengthening Nicosia’s green infrastructure and creating a vision for a sustainable capital.
A significant collaboration is underway to shape Nicosia’s future with a vision of a more resilient, greener, and sustainable city. Organized in collaboration with the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture, the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (NTB), Horizon Planning, and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Cypriot Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) Chamber of Landscape Architects, the “Resilient and Green Nicosia Workshop” continues at the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Center.

The six-day workshop, which brings together experts from the TRNC, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, is part of the Urban Forest Life Workshop Multidisciplinary Spatial Planning Training. The workshop brings together students, academics, scientists, and representatives from various professions in urban and regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and forestry engineering. The opening remarks of the workshop, which saw strong participation, was delivered by Dr. Nejla Kılınç, Founder and Project Coordinator of the Urban Forest Life Workshop; Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Asilsoy, Vice Dean of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture and a Member of the NTM Council; Ferdiye Sav, Coordinator of the NTM Technical Affairs and Urban Design Committee; and Mehmet Harmancı, President of the NTM.

The workshop, organized with the academic support of the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture, aims to contribute not only to the city’s physical structure but also to raise public awareness. Through presentations and working groups, the workshop aims to strengthen Nicosia’s green infrastructure, increase its resilience to climate change, and develop a more sustainable urban vision. The workshop, which brought together academics, local governments, experts, and civil society representatives on the same platform, aims to provide a common platform for discussion and knowledge sharing on the planning, management, and implementation strategies of resilient cities. The results of the workshop are expected to inform future urban planning and environmental policies.

Nicosia’s transformation was discussed!
At the workshop’s opening, remarks were given by Dr. Nejla Kılınç, Founder and Project Coordinator of the Urban Forest Life Workshop; Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Near East University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Asilsoy, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Member of the NTM Council; Ferdiye Sav, Coordinator of the NTM Technical Affairs and Urban Design Committee; and Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of Nicosia Turkish Municipality. Following the opening session, participants were divided into groups and briefed on the case study by municipal officials. They conducted fieldwork to observe the city’s spatial transformation firsthand.

The second day began with presentations on the history of spatial planning, Nicosia’s zoning regulations, and green space policies. Dr. Nejla Kılınç, Prof. Dr. Halim Perçin, Dr. Gizem Caner, and Dr. Esra Köksaldı shared information on urban resilience, transportation strategies, and green space arrangements.

They will design and share!
The third day of the workshop will begin with a preliminary jury session. Jury members will include Near East University academics Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Asilsoy, Prof. Dr. Halim Perçin, Dr. Gizem Caner, and Dr. Nevter Zafer Cömert. Sessions titled “Spirit of Place and Urban Resilience,” “Green Space Legislation in the TRNC,” and “Urban Forestry” will be held throughout the day.

On the fourth day of the workshop, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ümran Duman will present “The Importance of Universal Design for Resilient Cities,” and Dr. Gülizar Eroğlu will contribute to the program with her presentation on “Arid Landscape.” Participants will then prepare for their final presentations with diction and effective presentation training. Members participating in the Nicosia Marathon will have free time on Sunday. At the closing session on Monday, October 13th, groups will present their projects to a jury comprised of representatives from Near East University, the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, and the Chamber of Landscape Architects (KTMMOB). The workshop will be concluded with a certificate ceremony and cocktail reception following the jury evaluation.

Prof. Dr. Özge Özden: “As Near East University, we are honored to contribute scientifically to the creation of sustainable and livable cities.”
In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Near East University, emphasized that everyone’s shared dream is to live in a city that is sensitive to people, animals, the environment, and art. Stating that society deserves to live in cities with modern traffic flow, a well-planned, clean environment, and a high percentage of green spaces, Prof. Dr. Özden said, “As Near East University, we are honored to make scientific contributions to the formation of sustainable and livable cities.”
*This activity aligns with SDG 11, SDG 13 and SDG 17.