Determination of the carbon footprint potential of urban parks: The case of Seka Park (İzmit)

Global warming is the cost of modern life. Global warming has brought about environmental issues such as climate change, increases in sea water temperature, biodiversity loss, forest fires, and more. The solution to this problem lies in reducing "carbon emissions," which are the primary cause of global warming. The starting point of this thesis is the idea that "urban open green spaces contribute to reducing the carbon footprint." Urban open green spaces are considered as carbon sinks in cities. However, the capacity for carbon storage varies depending on the characteristics of these green spaces. The hypothesis of this thesis argues that "not every urban open green space contributes to reducing the carbon footprint." The study was conducted in the Seka Park Phases 1 and 2, which are significant urban parks in İzmit (Kocaeli). The research is based on qualitative and quantitative evaluations of spatial uses (buildings, hard surfaces, and green spaces), carbon footprint calculations, and carbon absorption and storage assessments. For carbon footprint calculations, sources that directly and indirectly contribute to carbon emissions (such as gasoline, diesel, LPG, natural gas, electricity, and water consumption) were identified, and their consumption levels were determined. The amounts of consumption were then used to calculate the carbon footprint through formulas included in the IPCC Tier 1 and Tier 2 approaches. Carbon absorption was calculated using the Net Primary Production (NPP) method, and carbon storage was determined through the IPCC Tier 1 method. The findings revealed that in the study area of 350.000 m² (45.321,15 m² for buildings, 54.678,85 m² for hard surfaces, and 250,000 m² for green spaces), carbon emissions totaled 5.577,602x10⁻³ Gg CO₂, annual carbon absorption was 2.257,27x10⁻³ Gg CO₂, and carbon storage reached 836.63x10⁻³ Gg CO₂. These values were interpreted as indicating low carbon storage performance in the study area. As a result, recommendations were developed regarding the enhancement of the study area's role as a carbon sink. Additionally, principles and guidelines for the planning and design of urban parks as carbon sink areas were emphasized. Keywords: Global Warming, Carbon Footprint, Open And Green Spaces, Urban Park, Seka Park