IZMIR IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A SUSTAINABLE EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL

Aim: The aim of this research is to examine the works in the city of Izmir, which has taken important steps towards becoming a sustainable and green city with its ecological practices in recent years, in line with the criteria of the "European Green Capital" award system. Method: The method of this study is to evaluate the ecological policies followed by the countries that have the "European Green Capital" award, which is one of the sustainable city evaluation criteria, by comparing the studies of the city of Izmir, which was chosen as the study area, to become a green capital candidate, by means of comparative analysis technique. Results: Izmir which is the winner of many awards with its ecological environmental policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to the cities that received the "European Green Capital" award, the fact that the low standard rate of ‘green lungs’ per capita in the city is is the biggest obstacle to Green Capital candidacy. Conclusion: The action plans initiated in order to reduce environmental pollution and to make it a greener living space are such that it will pave the way for important steps to be taken within the scope of combating climate in Izmir.