Number of Urban Gardens Increases to 5

Bornova Municipality is expanding its Urban Gardens Project, which promotes sustainable agriculture in the city and empowers women both economically and socially. Following Altındağ and Pınarbaşı, new garden areas are being established in Rafetpaşa, Işıkkent, and Mevlana neighborhoods. With this expansion, the number of project sites rises to five, involving 265 housewives directly in the production process.

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki visited the site of the new garden to be established in Rafetpaşa Neighborhood. He explained that the project site was previously unused and idle municipal land, and that the aim is to transform such areas into productive and socially engaging spaces. He stated:
“We are in Rafetpaşa Neighborhood, on a vacant municipal lot that had become a derelict parking space. This area will now be turned into an Urban Garden, one of our most important projects this term.”

“We are transforming soil touched by women into safe living spaces”

Mayor Eşki emphasized that the Urban Gardens project not only supports production but also provides safe and social environments for women. He explained the initiative as follows:
“We implemented successful examples in Altındağ and Pınarbaşı. It’s a project where housewives spend quality time, grow produce from the soil, and take natural products home. Now, with Rafetpaşa, Işıkkent, and Mevlana, we will reach 265 women across five different locations.”

Highlighting that unused and potentially unsafe areas are being reintegrated into social life through the Urban Gardens, Eşki added:
“These areas will be monitored with cameras, effectively creating safe zones in the heart of the city. They will become new living spaces for women and their children.”

Free seedlings, irrigation, and support

As part of the project, Bornova Municipality’s Agricultural Services Directorate provides women with summer and winter vegetable seedlings free of charge. Irrigation, maintenance, and technical support services are also provided by the municipality.