Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
The 4th SURE World Conference, İstanbul, Türkiye, 16 - 19 Temmuz 2025, ss.104, (Özet Bildiri)
Urban ecologies provide valuable
learning environments across disciplines. With a population of 16 million and a
vast area, Istanbul hosts diverse ecological elements. Among them, urban water
systems, including the Marmara Sea, Küçükçekmece Lake, Sazlıdere Valley, and
Sazlıdere Dam Lake, offer rich opportunities for ecological education. This
route enables participants to observe and experience the transformations of an
urban ecological area over time.
Along the route, participants explore marine ecosystems along the Marmara
Sea coast, brackish water ecosystems at the outflow of Küçükçekmece Lake, and
freshwater ecosystems within the lake. They will reflect on the significance of
sea and lake shores for urban life. Despite its urban setting, Menekşe Beach on
the Marmara Sea coast has been reopened for recreational use after water
purification efforts. Easily accessible by public transport, it primarily serves
lower and middle-income residents seeking a seaside escape.
Beyond its natural features, Küçükçekmece Lake is also a socially
significant space, offering recreational infrastructure such as walking paths,
picnic spots, restaurants, and cafés. In contrast, Sazlıdere Valley, another
key site, lacks social facilities and functions as a wetland ecosystem. The
diversion of stream water for Sazlıdere Dam has significantly reduced water
flow, leaving the streambed dry for much of the year. However, the valley is
home to Yarımburgaz Caves, a major prehistoric settlement site continuously
used since the Pleistocene era. The proximity to a water source made the caves
an ideal settlement location. This section of the route combines ecological
elements, such as plant species, with cultural and historical significance.
Revitalizing this site through education can help restore its place in
Istanbul’s collective memory.
The final stop, Sazlıdere Dam, is a crucial drinking water reservoir. As
Istanbul expands, parks have developed along its shores. This educational route
allows students, teachers, and nature enthusiasts to experience ecological
features, observe human-environment interactions, and strengthen their
connection with nature. The study aims to assess, promote, and encourage
broader use of this route for urban ecological conservation, sustainability,
and education.
Key Words: Urban ecology, Küçükçekmece Lake, Sazlıdere Valley,
Yarımburgaz Caves, Istanbul