Green Transformation: Küçükköy and Birgi

Sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly important across the world both in order to raise the quality of life for local people and to protect environmental assets. SENTRUM Project (Sustainable Energy Based Tourism Practice Center) launched in Türkiye has the purpose of setting examples with these green destinations by popularizing sustainable tourism in the historical Küçükköy and Birgi villages of Balıkesir and Izmir, respectively.

Large-scale tourism activities create significant negative impacts on the environment. In conventional tourism practices, factors such as massive amounts of water and energy consumption and substantial amounts of waste production cause extreme utilization of resources and natural destruction and create significant problems in terms of sustainability. Particularly extreme construction works in touristic regions cause natural habitats to get destroyed, biological diversity to be reduced and resources to be rapidly consumed. Moreover, the significant numbers of tourists challenge local ecosystems and create cultural destruction.

Sustainable tourism projects, on the other hand, encourage tourism practices sensitive to the environment, contribute to local communities and aim to protect cultural and natural assets. Projects such as SENTRUM have critical significance for a sustainable future with the purpose of minimizing tourism’s negative impacts through renewable energy consumption, waste management and energy efficiency, invigorating local economies by extending tourism season to all seasons and empowering women.

What is Green Transformation?

SENTRUM has the goal to pioneer in green transformation by adopting an approach that underlines environmental sustainability and social benefits. Green transformation refers to transitioning to energy and production solutions in harmony with the environment while SENTRUM focuses on minimizing carbon footprint by increasing utilization of renewable energy resources and contributing to tackling climate change. The Project also has the goal to achieve sustainability goals such as protecting local ecosystems, increasing energy efficiency, and optimizing waste management. Where SENTRUM is launched, solar energy panels, rainwater collection systems and recyclable materials are used to provide environmentally friendly solutions while providing long-term economic advantages. Thus, the green transformation vision of SENTRUM also supports creating sustainable cities and business models of future.

Green Transformation Journey of Küçükköy and Birgi

SENTRUM Project launched atKüçükköy, Ayvalık draws attention with its exemplary practices in terms of renewable energy utilization and energy efficiency. Utilization of technologies that provide energy efficiency in the area does not only create a sustainable tourism model, but also supports local economy. Solar and wind energies used in the project meet all the energy requirements of tourism businesses and public buildings. The results of energy efficiency analyses prove that energy consumption can be reduced by 80% through simple measures such as lighting.

Birgi Village was selected as the second step of this transformation process. Included in UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List thanks to its historical and cultural heritage, Birgi Village stand out with its touristic potential and natural structure. The goal of the SENTRUM Project is not only to ensure energy efficiency in Birgi, but also make the village a four-season tourism attraction. Being encouraged by the success of Küçükköy, hiking and biking routes are being established in Birgi, thus encouraging environmentally friendly transportation choices.

Renewable Energy and Transformation in Public Buildings

One of the most remarkable aspects of the SENTRUM Project is remodeling the public buildings for energy efficiency. For example, Halis Komili Primary School in Küçükköy has been transformed into one of the first zero energy buildings in Türkiye. The energy requirement of the school is met by solar energy. With the solar energy systems commissioned in the school and the cultural center, an annual consumption of 15,000 kg coal was prevented and hence, 90,000 kg carbon emissions were prevented.

Similarly, energy inspections have been conducted in Birgi for public buildings and measures are being taken to increase efficiency. Thus, an example is set in terms of sustainable energy consumption for both local administrations and businesses.

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Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage

One of the most significant key principles of sustainable tourism is protection of cultural and natural heritage. SENTRUM Project had the goal to transfer cultural heritage to next generations via using innovative technologies which provide energy efficiency without disrupting historical structures. Projects conducted in Küçükköy and Birgi enabled using renewable resources to meet the energy requirements of these buildings by making minimal interventions over the historical buildings. Thanks to these projects, the cultural value of the region is protected while minimizing environmental impacts of tourism. (UNDP)

Social and Economic Development

The purpose of SENTRUM Project is not only environmental development, but also social and economic development. As part of the project, various activities are being carried out for employment of women and young people. Internship and education opportunities are provided at Birgi for young people while women producers and local businesses owned by women are encouraged to participate. Activities at Küçükköy and Birgi enable locals to benefit more from tourism revenues and contribute to social development of the region.

Green Transportation

Sustainable transportation solutions are also critical parts of the projects carried in Küçükköy and Birgi. EV charging stations are being established in the region and bicycle roads are being built. These steps decrease carbon emissions while offering visitors an environmentally friendly transportation option. Moreover, these practices are among the crucial steps to prepare the region for four-season tourism.

Climate Risk Management

One other important aspect of green transformation projects continued in Küçükköy and Birgi is management of climate risks. In a period where the impacts of climate change is felt increasingly, making tourism regions resilient against climate crisis has become a priority. As part of the SENTRUM Project, climate risk assessments are conducted in Küçükköy and Birgi to determine potential threats these villages can encounter and to take related measures. For example, measures taken against these risks enable consolidation of the infrastructure in the region against extreme temperatures, flood risks and drought, and make tourism season more flexible. These efforts reveal that sustainable tourism is not only limited to environmentally friendly practices, but also includes making the region more resilient against climate crisis.

Local Producers and Economic Contributions of Tourism

Another factor that supports sustainable tourism in Birgi and Küçükköy is collaborations established with local producers. The SENTRUM Project developed various strategies to integrate local producer’s produce into the tourism sector. Natural and organic produce cultivated in the region are used in touristic businesses, thus contributions are made in economy and local delicacies are offered to visitors. Furthermore, popularization of sustainable agriculture practices is also supported.

Project Partners

Partners of the SENTRUM Project include Enerjisa Enerji, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Sabancı University and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Particularly the renewable energy projects of Enerjisa Enerji and know-how and experience transfer in line with UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals improve not only the environmental impacts, but also the social and economic impacts of the projects. Trainings and awareness raising activities of Sabancı University enable active engagement of local people in the projects and continue to pioneer sustainable transformation in tourism sector. Also, TGA provides support in making the project destinations meet the criteria of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in line with the National Sustainable Tourism Program and supports businesses to obtain Sustainable Tourism certificates.

Towards a Sustainable Future

The SENTRUM Projects launched in Küçükköy and Birgi set significant examples on how to achieve sustainable tourism. These projects consolidate the step Türkiye takes for sustainable transformation in the tourism sector and provide a model for other destinations. Green transformation of Birgi and Küçükköy proves that tourism does not only offer an economic advantage, but also provides a substantial opportunity to support local culture and social development.