Cities compatible with climate change in the framework of the european union green deal: implications for Antalya city

Cities, as the spaces where the increasingly adverse impacts of climate change are most intensely felt, occupy a central position both as zones of risk and as key actors in the development of solutions. Given their substantial share in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, cities must undergo a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient transformation. In this context, the European Union introduced the European Green Deal in 2019, setting the target of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. This ambitious goal has had both direct and indirect implications for many countries, including Türkiye. The main objective of this thesis is to develop strategic recommendations for the city of Antalya by examining the climate change adaptation policies formulated within the framework of the European Green Deal. To this end, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, and the key strategic documents under the Green Deal were analyzed using thematic analysis. Based on the main thematic focus areas identified, Antalya's Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) was evaluated and compared within a shared framework with the climate action plans of Valencia (Spain) and Tallinn (Estonia). The evaluation revealed that while Antalya's SECAP presents strategies aligned with the European Green Deal in certain areas, it falls short in others—particularly in setting long-term objectives, defining measurable indicators, integrating nature-based solutions, and adopting a holistic planning approach. Accordingly, this study puts forward several recommendations, including the formulation of realistic and long-term targets, the development of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms supported by performance indicators, the prioritization of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, the promotion of interdisciplinary institutional cooperation, and the enhancement of community participation. These recommendations are not only relevant for strengthening Antalya's climate change adaptation efforts, but also serve as guiding principles for other cities in Türkiye aiming to align with the objectives of the European Green Deal.