“Ömer Eşki is bringing Bornova into a new era”

Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel attended the inauguration of three major projects in Bornova as part of his İzmir program: the Mescid-i Aksa Mosque in Sarnıç Neighborhood, the Smart City and Innovation Center — the first of its kind in Europe at the district municipality level — and the Doğanlar Urban Garden, Türkiye’s largest urban garden project. Özel praised Mayor Ömer Eşki’s social municipalism, digital transformation, and women-oriented projects, presenting Bornova Municipality’s work as a model example.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel participated in two major inauguration ceremonies held in Bornova, expressing his support for Bornova Municipality’s projects and praising Mayor Ömer Eşki’s work.

The program first began in Sarnıç Neighborhood with the opening of the newly completed Mescid-i Aksa Mosque. Özel joined residents for a communal meal and later performed Friday prayers at the mosque. The CHP delegation then moved to Doğanlar Neighborhood to inaugurate the Doğanlar Urban Garden, recognized as Türkiye’s largest urban garden.

The ceremonies were attended by Cemil Tugay, CHP İzmir Provincial Chairman Çağatay Güç, members of parliament, district mayors, district heads of political parties, neighborhood muhtars, and many citizens.

“I have two great loves: Manisa and Bornova”

Addressing citizens in Sarnıç Neighborhood, Özgür Özel began by speaking about his personal connection to Bornova. He stated that he spent his youth in Bornova and that the district holds a special place in his life.

“Bornova and Manisa are my two great loves,” said Özel. “I attended middle school, high school, and university in Bornova. The most important years of my life were spent here. Sarnıç lies right between Bornova and Manisa. If someone asked me where I truly belong, I would probably say Sarnıç.”

Özel explained that after last year’s forest fire in the area, the old mosque in Sarnıç was found to pose a serious risk. He stated that Mayor Ömer Eşki informed him about the neighborhood’s needs and that project planning started immediately afterward.

Highlighting the CHP municipalities’ service approach, Özel said:
“In our understanding, whatever the people need is what gets built — whether it is a school, a mosque, or a social facility. We are committed to a municipal approach that delivers what citizens need. Mayor Ömer is one of the most successful representatives of this understanding.”

Mescid-i Aksa Mosque inaugurated with prayers

The Mescid-i Aksa Mosque in Sarnıç Neighborhood was completed and opened following requests from local residents. Inspired by the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the modern three-story building also includes a muhtar’s office on the ground floor. The area where the old mosque stood was redesigned as a village square featuring an Atatürk bust and a flagpole.

Özel emphasized the mosque’s symbolic significance:
“Mescid-i Aksa is not just a name; it is a symbol of solidarity, brotherhood, and shared conscience. Seeing this mosque rise here is very meaningful.”

Noting the presence of district representatives from different political parties at the ceremony, Özel stressed that places of worship unite people:
“Politics may sometimes divide, but places of worship bring people together. It is very valuable to see people from every background gathered here today.”

Praise from Özgür Özel to Ömer Eşki: “Bornova is in safe hands”

During the second part of the program at the opening of the Doğanlar Urban Garden, Özgür Özel highlighted the services implemented by Bornova Municipality in a short period of time.

Stating that Bornova has strongly supported CHP for many years, Özel said:
“Bornova has not abandoned the Republican People’s Party for the last five terms. We entrusted Bornova to Ömer Eşki, and since taking office, he has delivered highly significant services.”

Özel listed the municipality’s accomplishments one by one:

• 46 kilometers of asphalt work completed on 20 streets
• 106 thousand tons of asphalt laid
• 7 city markets opened
• 3 city restaurants launched
• City butcher project initiated
• Nutrition support provided for primary school students
• Meal services delivered to 17,600 citizens
• 1.9 million square meters of green space created

“These are not just physical investments,” Özel said. “They are genuine examples of social municipalism that directly touch people’s lives.”

Türkiye’s largest urban garden inaugurated

The Doğanlar Urban Garden, established by Bornova Municipality, is recognized as Türkiye’s largest urban garden. The project benefits 278 women, each allocated a 24-square-meter production area. Women received pre-season agricultural training, while all project expenses are covered by the municipality. Production is carried out entirely through ecological methods without chemicals. Using heirloom seeds, women both gain access to healthy food and contribute to their household economy.

Özel emphasized that the project is more than an agricultural initiative:
“This is also a place where women socialize, become part of production, and strengthen solidarity.”

Cemil Tugay: “Bornova demonstrates exemplary municipalism”

Cemil Tugay also praised Bornova Municipality’s projects in his speech. Emphasizing strong cooperation between İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities, Tugay stated:
“A lack of service in one district affects the entire city. Therefore, strengthening our district municipalities is extremely important for us.”

Pointing to the Doğanlar Urban Garden as a successful example of social democratic municipalism, Tugay said:
“Today, Bornova Municipality is launching Türkiye’s largest urban garden. A total of 785 women benefit from urban gardens overall. These projects are invaluable in strengthening women economically and socially.”

Tugay added that the İzmir they envision is “a city of production, sharing, and solidarity,” stressing that CHP municipalities are not only institutions that build infrastructure but also organizations that improve quality of life and touch people’s lives directly.

Ömer Eşki: “We are preparing Bornova for the future”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated that since taking office, they have focused on three main areas of transformation: urban transformation, digital transformation, and green transformation. He emphasized their goal of making Bornova a modern and sustainable city.

Türkiye’s first district-scale “digital twin” system

Eşki explained that the Smart City and Innovation Center represents Türkiye’s first fully implemented district-scale “digital twin” system. Through this system, all processes across the district are managed with AI-supported technologies.

He stated that more than 3,000 cameras and sensors are monitored from a single center and added:
“While aiming for Türkiye’s best, we also achieved one of Europe’s firsts.”

Within the system:

• A three-dimensional digital model of the district was created
• Investments began being tested in virtual environments
• Infrastructure and asphalt works became data-driven
• Security, energy, and environmental management started being monitored digitally

Women-focused projects stand out

Mayor Eşki also highlighted projects aimed at empowering women in social life. He explained that legal support programs were developed in cooperation with the Bar Association and that women are being brought together with lawyers in neighborhoods.

He also announced plans for new childcare centers:
“Very soon, we will lay the foundation for Türkiye’s first ecological kindergarten.”

Emphasizing the social importance of urban gardens, Eşki said:
“Today, neighborhood agendas are no longer shaped only in coffeehouses but also by women in urban gardens.”

Investments in youth, sports, and education

Youth-oriented investments were another major topic during the ceremonies. Eşki stated that new sports facilities and youth centers are being opened to steer young people toward sports and social activities as part of efforts against substance abuse.

He also announced plans to build new football fields for local clubs and revealed that the Ferdi Zeyrek Preparatory School would soon open in Bornova.

Hybrid energy pole drew attention

At the Urban Garden opening ceremony, Mayor Ömer Eşki presented Özgür Özel with a symbolic gift: a model of the hybrid energy pole used across Bornova. Powered by solar and wind energy, the poles can operate lighting, security cameras, Wi-Fi, and automatic irrigation systems independently of external energy sources. The project is considered part of Bornova Municipality’s environmentally friendly transformation initiatives.

Emphasis on social municipalism in Bornova

The common message throughout the opening ceremonies was “social municipalism.” CHP officials emphasized that Bornova Municipality stands out not only with infrastructure investments but also through projects focused on women, youth, environment, technology, and social support.

While Sarnıç Neighborhood gained a modern place of worship and village square, Doğanlar welcomed Türkiye’s largest urban garden supporting women producers. Meanwhile, the Smart City and Innovation Center emerged as the symbol of Bornova’s digital transformation vision.