Last updated: May 2025
The Adana Central Park stretches along both riverbanks of the Seyhan River. The idea was first introduced by the former mayor of the city, Aytaç Durak, in the late 80s to address the need for accessible green spaces in the developing area (Ref, 2). Previously, citrus gardens and informal settlements were located on these riverbanks, which now host over 400.000 plants and 67 different tree species on an area of 33 ha (Ref. 2,5,6). In 1998 construction of the park began, which lasted until 2004 (Ref. 2,5). The park is appreciated by visitors for its aesthetically landscaped appearance and the many amenities for children, youth, relaxation and socializing (Ref. 7). The two sides of the river are connected via bridges or, alternatively, visitors can board the Venetian style gondolas to access either side (Ref. 5). In 2021, park lighting infrastructure has been extensively replaced to ensure accessibility and safety during day and nighttime (Ref. 3).
Extendsive view of the central park
https://cityseeker.com/adana/881222-merkez-park
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
- Insecurity in public spaces
Key priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Maintenance and management of urban nature, n.a.
Project objectives
1) Repurpose the riverbanks on which citrus gardens and shanty houses stood for the benefit of the broader public. (Ref. 6)
2) Offer several amenities that can be used by children and youth to facilitate physical activity and social interaction. (Ref. 2)
3) Offer a space for recreation in the densely developed city centre. (Ref. 2)
4) Expose visitors to different plants from the region and abroad (Ref. 6)
5) Enhace safety and attractiveness of the park (Ref.3)
Implementation activities
Goal 1: Redevelopment of the Citrus Garden, removal of ca. 100 shanty houses, relocation of the central bus station in 1998 (Ref. 2)
Goal 2: Installation of diverse amenities such as playgrounds, skating ring and amphitheatre by 2004 (Ref. 6)
Goal 3: Ensure that the park remains well-maintained and aesthetically landscaped while also providing areas designed for relaxation. (Ref. 2,7)
Goal 4: Landscaping of 400 000 plants from 67 species, 40 types of cacti and aromatic plants. (Ref. 2)
Goal 5) Entensively replacing lighting infrastructure / lamps in the park in 2021 (Ref.3)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore ecological connectivity
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- The project didn't involve any form of stakeholder participatory activities
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
"The idea to create a large city park on the banks of the Seyhan River was first introduced in 1988 by Mayor Aytaç Durak City map included" (Ref. 2). "Adana Metropolitan Municipality Parks and Gardens Department teams' park and renovation work " (Ref. 3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- More sustainable tourism
- Achieved more sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Achieved improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Achieved enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Achieved increased perception of safety
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Ecosystems and biodiversity, Introducing of non-native species, Social justice and conflicts, Displacement of vulnerable or marginalized communities
References
1.
Kamp Adana (2024). Merkez Park. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Eslam (n.d.). Adana Park . Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Adana Büyükşehir Belediyesi (n.d.). Merkez Park şimdi daha güvenli ve ışıl ışıl. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Adana'da Çocuk Olmak (2017). MERKEZ PARK’TA ÇOCUKLARLA YAPILABİLECEK 8 AKTİVİTE. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Cukurova Development Agency (2018). Adana Central Park . Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Yapi (2004). Adana Merkez Parkı Hem Park Hem Bitki Koleksiyonu Olacak . Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Cityseeker (n.d.). Popular Urban Park . Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link];
Walkway towards the Sabanci Mosque on the southern end of the park
https://www.kampadana.com.tr/merkez-park.html
Ventian style gondolas taking visitors over the seyhan river between the two sides of the park
https://www.adanadacocukolmak.com/merkez-parkta-cocuklarla-yapilabilecek-8-aktivite/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.