Visit From Kosovo Delegation to MMU
Within the scope of the visit which was financed by German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and co-organized by Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU) and Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM), the group paid a visit to MMU; Municipalities of Bagcilar, Kucukcekmece, and Pendik; Ozyegin University; Istanbul Environmental Management Industry and Trading Company (ISTAC); and waste separation plants of municipalities. The visit took place between 24th and 25th of June 2019.
In the first day of visit, the group initially visited MMU and was welcomed by MMU Secretary General Mr. M. Cemil Arslan. In the meeting, Mr. Arslan stated that municipalities from Turkey would be pleased to share their experiences in waste management and energy efficiency with municipalities from Kosovo and learn from their Kosovan counterparts. Mr. Agim Veliu, the President of AKM, expressed their gratitude to MMU for its hospitality and effort to organize the visit.
After visiting MMU, the delegation visited Mr. Lokman Çağırıcı, Mayor of Bagcilar Municipality, in his office. In his welcome speech, Mr. Çağırıcı said: “Time and place can change. People’s needs, however, are the same across countries. We, therefore, care information and experience sharing which allows us to compare services that municipalities provide.” After this meeting, the group moved to Packaging and Waste Separation Facility operated by Bagcilar Municipality.
The last visit of the first day was to Kucukcekmece Municipality, where the delegation met with Mr. Kemal Çebi, Mayor of Kucukcekmece Municipality. Emphasizing the status of the building of Kucukcekmece Municipality as the first green public building in Turkey, Mr. Çebi said: “This building is striking for being environmentally-conscious, using energy efficiently and having green roof.” The first day of the visit ended with the technical experts’ showing green area and machine systems used for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the building to the delegation.
In the second day of the visit, Center for Energy, Environment and Economy in Ozyegin University hosted the delegation. In the center, the group was informed on ‘zero energy and passive buildings’. Then, the delegation visited Waste Disposal Field operated by Istanbul Environmental Management Industry and Trading Company (ISTAC).
Lastly, Mr. Ahmet Cin, Mayor of Pendik Municipality, welcomed the delegation in his office. Mr. Cin informed the studies of Pendik municipality on waste management and said: “Regarding waste management, we are not moved with the pursuit of profit, but with ecological approach.” The visit concluded with the delegation’s visit to Waste Collection and Separation Center operated by Pendik Municipality.
