The value of green spaces in cities is measured not only by their size, but also by how they are maintained, managed and integrated into everyday urban life. The recognition of seven parks in Türkiye under the Green Flag Award programme has brought renewed attention to efforts to improve the quality of public green spaces.
According to the official announcement published by the Green Flag Award on 9 October 2026, the awards were announced as part of the 2026 World Urban Parks Symposium in Istanbul. Five metropolitan municipalities from Türkiye were represented in the results. While Kayseri and Mersin received the award for the first time, Denizli, Antalya and Gaziantep continued their presence in the programme.
Two Cities Receive the Award for the First Time
One of the key developments this year is the inclusion of Kayseri and Mersin in the Green Flag Award programme for the first time. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan National Garden, managed by Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, and Kültür Park, managed by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, were recognised through the international assessment.
Denizli Metropolitan Municipality was represented by three parks, while Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality each received recognition for one park. In total, seven parks in Türkiye were recognised under the international quality programme for the 2026–2027 period.
Covering 1.26 million square metres, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan National Garden in Kayseri stands out as one of the city’s major green spaces. In Mersin, Kültür Park extends along the coastline and provides residents with an important place to spend time outdoors.
Park Quality Goes Beyond Appearance
The Green Flag Award is an international programme that assesses the management quality of public parks and green spaces. Its approach goes beyond landscaping, also considering how these areas are managed sustainably and the standards they offer to visitors.
Accessibility, environmental management, maintenance practices and community engagement are all important elements of this approach. The aim is to ensure that green spaces are more than visually appealing places. They should remain accessible, well-maintained environments where people of different ages can spend time and which form an integral part of urban life.
The programme’s history in Türkiye also reflects progress in this field. According to the official Green Flag Award announcement, Türkiye received its first certification in 2018 through Denizli Metropolitan Municipality. The 2026 results further strengthen the international visibility of the country’s parks within the programme.
Investing in Green Spaces Means Investing in Urban Life
Parks provide more than opportunities for relaxation and outdoor activities. They are also shared spaces where people meet, socialise and become part of their local communities. Their regular maintenance, accessibility and long-term preservation are therefore important elements of local authorities’ efforts to improve urban life.
The recognition of seven parks in Türkiye highlights the fact that investment in green spaces is not limited to creating new areas. Improving the quality, management and long-term sustainability of existing parks is equally important.
In the coming years, it will be worth following how international assessments of this kind influence municipal park management strategies and the development of public spaces.
