Urban Transformations: The Reinvention of Eskisehir, Turkey from Dump to Destination

This case study describes the transformation of Eskişehir, Turkey, from a polluted post-industrial city into a sustainable urban model through the Eskişehir Urban Development Project. Initiated by Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen following a 1999 earthquake, the project integrated environmental cleanup, transport modernization, and inclusive urban design.

• The Eskişehir Urban Development Project was launched as a response to industrial pollution and a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred six months into Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen's term in 1999. The project focused on modernizing transport and environmental cleanup, starting with the restoration of the Porsuk River through dredging, wastewater infrastructure upgrades, and the installation of flood protection.
• The city implemented a comprehensive mobility strategy that included the EsTram light rail system, which connects hospitals, universities, parks, and theaters, alongside the creation of pedestrian-only zones in the city center. Infrastructure improvements included the renewal or rebuilding of 24 bridges and the replacement of sidewalks in the core area, with a specific design focus on accessibility for wheelchair users, the elderly, and families with strollers.
• Urban interventions led to significant economic and environmental gains, including a tripling of property values around tram stations and a threefold increase in green space per person. The city saw a dramatic rise in tourism, with domestic tourism increasing by 430 percent and international tourism increasing by 820 percent.
• The transformation of Eskişehir has served as a model for other international cities. Brussels, Belgium, began a landscape architecture project in 2014 based on the restoration of the Porsuk River, and Awaza, Turkmenistan, upgraded its bridges using Eskişehir's approach.

APA

World Resources Institute (2019). Urban Transformations: The Reinvention of Eskisehir, Turkey from Dump to Destination. https://www.wri.org/insights/urban-transformations-reinvention-eskisehir-turkey-dump-destination

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Urban Transformations: The Reinvention of Eskisehir, Turkey from Dump to Destination. 2019. https://www.wri.org/insights/urban-transformations-reinvention-eskisehir-turkey-dump-destination.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Urban Transformations: The Reinvention of Eskisehir, Turkey from Dump to Destination |date=28 March 2019 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/urban-transformations-reinvention-eskisehir-turkey-dump-destination |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2019urban, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Urban Transformations: The Reinvention of Eskisehir, Turkey from Dump to Destination}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/urban-transformations-reinvention-eskisehir-turkey-dump-destination}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }