MAYOR ÜNLÜCE HIGHLIGHTS ESKİŞEHİR'S VISION AT MARUF'25

p>During her speech, Mayor Ünlüce shared information about Eskişehir's ongoing and future projects for senior citizens: "We discussed what we have done for our senior citizens in Eskişehir and our vision for the future,'' she said and continued: ''We know that global social issues can only be solved through shared wisdom and solidarity rising from local communities. We will continue to develop services that make life easier for our senior citizens and strive to make our city a better place to live for everyone. Eskişehir has long been known as a young and dynamic city. With our three universities, vibrant social life, and rich cultural scene, Eskişehir has always attracted young people. However, according to the latest data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), while the proportion of people aged 65 and over in Türkiye exceeds 10%, this rate is even higher in Eskişehir--over 12% among men and 14% among women. This was a striking finding for us. While we maintain a lively, youthful urban life intertwined with culture and art, we also see a large group of retirees who choose Eskişehir for its peace and quality of life. This makes intergenerational differences in the city more visible. The needs, priorities, and expectations of young and elderly residents naturally differ. Therefore, we realized the need to develop new models that strengthen communication between generations. In this regard, we realized that Eskişehir's population is aging, and we must develop projects not only for young people but also for our senior citizens. We established Emek Café as a special venue where retired residents can socialize. Since the place was known by the same name in the past, we decided to keep it as a tribute to the city's collective memory. We offer services at affordable prices because we know that aging often means facing loneliness and financial difficulties. Through the Aging Workshops organized within Emek Café, we provide creative and enjoyable activities where individuals can improve their personal skills and remain productive. In addition, within Kentpark, together with the Kent Lokantası, our retired citizens can have meals and enjoy a peaceful environment where they can also socialize. Another significant initiative is our Active Life Park, which is the first of its kind in Türkiye. With this project, we integrated various facilities and services into a large park area, enabling elderly residents to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. As a local government, we embrace equality and justice as our core principles. We will continue working for an Eskişehir where all generations can live together and where everyone's needs are respected."

In addition, Mayor Ünlüce visited the recycling exhibition organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality within the scope of MARUF'25, featuring artworks made from waste materials collected from the Marmara Sea and nearby beaches. After scanning QR codes to view the digital content of the works, Ünlüce described the exhibition as "inspiring" and congratulated Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and its Mayor, Mustafa Bozbey, for their strong participation and impressive preparation for MARUF'25.