Ömer Eski

Bornova, located in the west of Turkiye at the center of Izmir, is one of the country’s oldest local governments, with its municipality established in 1881. With an uninterrupted settlement history of 8,500 years, our city is one of the most important civilizational hubs in the Mediterranean basin. Today, it stands as one of the region’s most dynamic centers, characterized by a highly urbanized and modern structure. Hosting a population of approximately 500,000, five major industrial zones, and two prominent universities with over 70,000 students, Bornova is a strategic intersection of industry, academia, and cultural heritage.

Bornova Mayor Orner E$Ki is an innovative local leader who places sustainable development and the energy transition at the core of his local governance vision. With an engineering background and academic expertise in international relations and energy law, he addresses climate policies holistically, integrating both technical and managerial dimensions. Since taking office, he has spearheaded renewable energy investments, circular economy practices, and projects prioritizing social inclusion. He manages the energy transition in line with the “just transition” principle, ensuring the active inclusion of disadvantaged groups.

His ultimate goal is to transform Bornova’s local achievements into a model that contributes to European-scale policymaking through the Energy Cities network, while transferring this acquired knowledge and experience to other cities in Turkiye.

In my personal opinion, the role of municipalities and mayoral teams has evolved from being
traditional providers of basic services to acting as strategic facilitators that preparethe city against
global crises. In the future, rather than operating as isolated administrative structures, these teams
will act as transparent, participatory, and innovative hubs.

Ömer Eski