Contemporary urban planning primarily focuses on the physical expansion of cities. Whereas it is crucial to recognize that enhancing the quality of life and welfare of the residents is just as significant as the spatial growth of a city.

In Izmir, we prioritize the principle of Social Development in all our endeavors, aiming for the city's progress to be intertwined with the welfare and harmony of its inhabitants, ultimately becoming a catalyst for prosperity.

One of our endeavors was to broaden the scope of democracy to encompass all facets of life, ensuring the active involvement of young individuals in political and decision-making spheres, ultimately leading to the establishment of Türkiye’s first and only Youth Municipality. Recognizing the importance of youth, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality became the initial local government in Türkiye to be nominated for the title of European Youth Capital 2025. In pursuit of the 2026 European Youth Capital title, we, in collaboration with the youth of our city, resubmitted our application and once again advanced to the final round.

Our commitment to Social Development also extends to sports and health services. In 2022, we delivered specialized sports training to 54,790 children across various disciplines. We distributed sports equipment to 1,329 public schools and supported 292 amateur sports clubs. Additionally, we successfully orchestrated 80 international and national sporting events.

In 2022, our Eşrefpaşa Hospital formed the backbone of our healthcare services. At the Buca Campus of our hospital, we introduced the Neighborhood Polyclinic, attending to around 100 patients daily across various medical fields. Eşrefpaşa Hospital also expanded its home care services for bedridden elderly, sick, and disabled individuals, extending coverage to 30 districts. Additionally, service units were established not only in the city center but also in Kemalpaşa Armutlu, Bayraklı, Ödemiş, Tire, and Karaburun. The proficient team at Eşrefpaşa Hospital not only administers wound care and dressings but also offers comprehensive support, including blood tests and prescriptions. Furthermore, patients benefiting from this initiative also have access to dental treatment at their homes.

Aligned with our objective of Social Development, we are taking significant strides towards enhancing cultural output in Izmir, a city with a rich history of culture and arts spanning 8500 years. Our aim is to once again establish our city as a prominent hub for artistic creation.

Establishing the Izmir Cinema Office was a strategic move to foster the growth of cinema, a pioneering industry within the realm of art, in Izmir. This initiative also aimed to create favorable conditions for film and TV production. Over the past two years, our Cinema Office has played a pivotal role in augmenting the number of TV series and films produced in Izmir. We are advancing step-by-step towards positioning Izmir as a new epicenter for the vibrant pulse of the film industry.

Furthermore, to bolster cultural production, we have introduced significant cultural venues like the Mustafa Necati Cultural Center, Atlas Pavilion Art Gallery, Bıçakçı Han, Konak Metro Art Gallery, and AASSM Music Library to enrich the city's cultural landscape.

We provided complimentary training in various art disciplines to approximately 5 thousand individuals. Fulfilling one of the longstanding aspirations of Izmir residents, we established the City Theaters within Izmir Metropolitan Municipality after a span of 70 years. These City Theaters contribute immensely to the cultural vitality of Izmir, presenting new productions with each passing day.

Undoubtedly, women constitute one of the paramount pillars of Social Development. We are dedicated to strenuous efforts aimed at combating discrimination and violence against women while also focusing on women's employment, labor rights, and their involvement in decision-making processes. We formulate our goals according to the needs and priorities expressed by women. In Izmir, we are continuously enhancing the safety and well-being of the environment for women.

At our Key Women's Studies Integrated Service Center, located in the Örnekköy Campus, we offer women a range employment-oriented courses including crafts, computer skills, accounting, culinary arts, and foreign languages.

Furthermore, as part of our Social Development initiatives, we did not forget our pawed friends. In collaboration with the Izmir Chamber of Veterinarians, we launched the Stray Dog Rehabilitation Project. This pioneering project, the first of its kind in Türkiye, involved the tagging and microchipping of stray dogs for immediate tracking and monitoring on the streets. By integrating our animal friends into the Izmir’s imece, we aimed to provide them with an improved quality of life.