Culture and Ecological Transition for a Sustainable Mediterranean: İzmir Symposium
We are coming together to discuss the cultural and ecological future of the Mediterranean!
Supported by the Keys In Hand Grant Program of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and carried out in partnership with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, AVITEM, Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, the Municipality of Vitrolles, and the Corsican Collective, the Cultivated Territory (Territoire Cultivé) project will hold its final event in İzmir.
The symposium will explore:
. The transformative power of culture
. The role of local governments
. The sustainability of the relationship between nature and culture
. Culture-based cooperation among Mediterranean cities
As part of the program, the Mediterranean Cities of Culture and Ecology Manifesto will be officially signed.
All sessions are open to the public!
Date: September 4–5, 2025
Venue: Historical Gas Factory Cultural Center – İzmir
Admission: Free and open to everyone
Cultural and Ecological Transformation for a Sustainable Mediterranean
Cultivated Territories İzmir Symposium Sessions and Signature of the Manifesto
Symposium Program
(September 4-5, 2025)
Thursday, 4 September 2025
Historical Gas Factory Cultural Center
10:00 – 10:30 – Opening and protocol speeches
Juliette Bompoint, Director of the French Cultural Center in İzmir
Agnès Rampal, Deputy Mayor of Nice, President of AVITEM
Loïc Gachon, Mayor of Vitrolles
Ambassador François-Xavier Leger, General Director of AVITEM
Dr. Cemil Tugay, Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality
10:45 – 12:15 – Session 1
A View of the Mediterranean from İzmir
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Ferhat Kentel (Art Venue İzmir – AVİ / Sociology Shop)
Prof. Dr. İlhan Tekeli (Founding Honorary President of the İzmir Mediterranean Academy), “İzmir within a Mediterranean Narrative”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serhun Al (İzmir University of Economics, Department of Political Science and International Relations), “Cultural Encounters and Walls in İzmir”
13:30 – 15:00 – Session 2
Relationship with the Sea, Design, and Culture in the Mediterranean and in İzmir
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Çiler Çilingiroğlu (Ege University Department of Archaeology, Anthropocene Research Group)
Prof. Dr. Güzel Yücel Gier (Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology), “Wetlands and Seagrasses in the Gulf of İzmir”
Aylin Göknur (Head of Urban Design and Aesthetics Branch, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality), “The Coast: Where We Breathe”
Ayşegül Kurtel (Founding Director of K2 Contemporary Art Center), “The Mediterranean Biennial and Port İzmir Triennial Experience”
Dr. Işıkhan Güler (Chairman of the Board of İZDENİZ), Gökhan Marım (General Manager of İZDENİZ), “Design of Neighborhood Marinas in the Gulf of İzmir and Implementation of the Gulf Cleaning Emergency Action Plan”
15:15 – 16:30 – Session 3
Spatial Aspects of Culture
Moderator: Dr. Mert Kaya (Sociologist, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Urban Equality and Justice Branch Directorate)
Mark Giraud (Author), “A Multicultural History and Space: The Example of the ‘Bornova Urban Heritage Map’”
Nesim Bencoya (Director, Cultural Heritage Activist), “Jewish Cultural Heritage and Space”
Elmas Köçkün (Expert Historian),“The Spatial Relations of the Roma through Sedentarism and Nomadism”
16:45 – 18:00 – Session 4
Transition Zones and Design Opportunities 1
Moderator: Dr. Tolga Çilingir (Urban Planner, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Rural Area Strategy Branch)
Sinan Alper (Architect, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mediterranean Academy Branch Directorate), “Nature-Based Solution Practices in İzmir: Peynircioğlu Stream Ecological Corridor Project”
Hüseyin Öztürk (Head of Green Areas Planning and Project Branch, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality), “Rethinking the Future of Cities Through Urban Park”
Dr. Elif Kocabıyık Savasta (İzmir University of Economics, Department of Industrial Design), “Good Design İzmir in the Context of Ecology, Culture, and Democracy”
Friday, 5 September 2025
Historical Gas Factory Cultural Center, Art Venue İzmir (AVI)
10.00 – 11.15 – Session 5
Transition Zones and Design Opportunities 2
Moderator: Dr. Tolga Çilingir (Urban Planner, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Rural Area Strategy Branch)
Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu (President of İzmir Planning Agency (IZPA), İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Urban Planner), “Planning Process of Urla City Center”
Iraz Candaş Kılıçgedik (Hifco Regenerative Agriculture Services, Permaculture Expert), “Ecological Memory for Today’s Nature and Agriculture”
Yeşim Gül Karabörklü (Head of Rural Services Branch, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality), “From Nature to Culture: A New Approach to Integrated Cultural Routes in Rural Areas”
11:45 – 12:30 – Signing of the Mediterranean Culture and Ecology Cities Manifesto
19:00 – Salut de Smyrne Music Performance (Art Venue İzmir – AVI)
