Istanbul makes audacious bid to be named European Green Capital 2017

Boastful of its environmental policy despite activists’ outcry over gargantuan projects that will lead to massive deforestation around the city, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has announced plans to enter a competition to be chosen as European Green Capital of 2017.

Istanbul will compete against 11 other cities, including the Turkish city of Bursa, which has also entered the race along with Lisbon, Porto, Cork, Nijmegen and others.

According to the EU Commission, the competition will award the city that will be recognized for offering “pioneering innovative solutions to environmental challenges” by setting “high standards in sustainable urban development” and, above all, “listening to what their citizens want.”

The application for the competition comes at a time when environmental associations have been increasing their voice against the third bridge and third airport projects, which are expected lead to the cutting down of millions of trees.

The Gezi Park protests in 2013, which exploded across the country following repeated police crackdowns, was sparked by a municipal plan backed by then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to redevelop a small but central park in the middle of the city’s entertainment area.

Police have also recently been resorting to force to remove protesters in the Asian-side neighborhood of Acıbadem, who are critical of the local municipality for forging ahead with plans to construct a mosque in the Validebağ grove green space, even though a court has ordered a halt to construction.

The expert panel will assess the competitors on 12 benchmarks and indicators, including public transportation, waste treatment, water management, energy performance and adaptation to...