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Tekirdag Metropolitan Municipality is rolling out xeriscaping, a landscaping method that relies on drought-tolerant plants and uses little water, throughout the city in response to the impact of the global climate crisis. As the method needs less water and upkeep, it delivers 50% savings in irrigation water and energy and 30% savings in maintenance costs.
The municipality is carrying out the work with its own personnel, construction machinery, and resources. Because the work is done in-house, it relies on existing staff and equipment.
As part of the project, grass areas at intersections and medians are being redesigned with climate-resilient plants and natural materials, replacing lawns that typically need regular watering and mowing.
The projects use natural, permeable materials, which allow water to pass through to the soil, such as bark and gravel. Plants include olive, oya, bay laurel, lavender, sage, thyme, agave, and various ornamental species. The aim is to reduce water loss and lower the maintenance needs of landscaped areas.
Xeriscaping reduces the need for irrigation, which is a growing concern as the climate crisis affects water availability. Lavender, sage, thyme and agave are plants commonly grown in dry conditions, and ground covers such as bark and gravel help limit evaporation from the soil.
Work has been completed on a total of 6,595 square meters (1.63 acres) in seven districts across Tekirdag. Work is continuing on a further 9,101 square meters, on Namik Kemal Boulevard in Cerkezkoy and Suleyman Seba Street in Suleymanpasa.
Together, the completed and ongoing projects bring the total area being redesigned under the xeriscaping approach to 15,696 square meters. The municipality aims to carry out work on a total of 60,000 square meters as part of its environmental transformation program, meaning the current projects cover about 26% of that target.
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