Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, the first municipality in Turkey to initiate drought-resistant grass production, organized a Hot Climate Grass panel on grass and landscaping applications in hot climates.
Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, taking action to protect water resources and the drought threat brought by climate change, contributes to nature by producing heat-resistant hot climate grasses that will reduce water consumption in green areas. A Hot Climate Grass panel was held with the participation of academics and experts on new generation grass and landscaping applications that are more resistant to drought and have less water consumption in green areas in cities due to global warming.
EXPERTS GAVE INFORMATION
The panel, organized by the Metropolitan Municipality Parks and Gardens Department at the Atatürk Cultural Center, was attended as speakers by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Advisor Lokman Atasoy, Parks and Gardens Department Head Dr. Çiğdem Hacıoğlu, Akdeniz University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Songül Sever Mutlu, Chamber of Agricultural Engineers Board Member Dr. Fatma Öncü Ceylan Baloğlu, Gloria Hotels Garden Coordinator Hasan Şengül, and Agricultural Engineer Ahmet Gülgün.
LONG LASTING AND HEAT RESISTANT
The opening speech of the panel was made by the Metropolitan Municipality Parks and Gardens Department Head Dr. Çiğdem Hacıoğlu, who said, “As the Metropolitan Municipality, we are taking various precautions to reduce the amount of water we use in green areas. We are taking all precautions when choosing tree species, shrub-shaped plants and planning the irrigation method. While previously used grass species required extra labor and cost for maintenance services such as daily watering, frequent mowing, fertilizing and spraying in the summer months, warm climate grasses provide savings in irrigation and mowing needs by half.”
IT IS AN EXAMPLE FOR TURKEY WITH ITS METROPOLITAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Lokman Atasoy, who stated that they are aware of the devastating effects of climate change, said, “We have to protect and increase green areas in the fight against climate change. Especially in terms of green areas, landscaping, greening and afforestation works to be carried out in terms of adaptation to climate change are extremely important. Innovative approaches already suggest us nature-based solutions and green infrastructure solutions. In terms of becoming a climate-resistant city, Muhittin Böcek “With the support of our President, we will continue to be an example for Turkey,” he said.
ONGOING WORKS WERE EVALUATED
Speaking at the panel, Akdeniz University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Songül Sever Mutlu, Chamber of Agricultural Engineers Management Dr. Fatma Öncü Ceylan Baloğlu, Gloria Hotels Garden Coordinator Hasan Şengül and Agricultural Engineer Ahmet Gülgün provided information on better use of water resources due to global climate change, selection of grass species in green areas, green areas that consume less water and are long-lasting and maintained with low costs.
