16.3.3. Participation in government research
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16.3.3. Participation in government research
In 2025, METU carried out policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments.
MARMOD Phase III (2024–2025) with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change
The Sea of Marmara needs a basin-scale environmental management plan to recover from pollution from land-based sources; it was severely affected by the 2021 mucilage outbreak. In MARMOD Phase III, the METU Institute of Marine Sciences and the ministry developed an ecosystem-based Marmara Integrated Modelling System and a Digital Twin of the sea, validated with systematic observations, to support the ministry's management plan and progress towards Good Environmental Status. The project was completed with a final workshop on 4 December 2025.
UP2030: Urban Planning and design ready for 2030
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), together with Middle East Technical University (METU) and the METU Solar Energy Research and Application Center (ODTÜ-GÜNAM), participates in the multi-partner UP2030 project, which brings together 46 participants from 12 European Union member countries. The project aims to establish urban planning and design principles that support cities in becoming fairer, more sustainable, resilient, and climate-neutral by 2030. To achieve this, UP2030 seeks to move beyond fragmented, project-by-project decarbonisation initiatives towards an integrated, vision-driven approach to urban transformation. It also aims to support the development and revision of policies, regulations, and planning frameworks aligned with cities’ climate neutrality ambitions.
As part of the project, Istanbul’s solar energy potential will be assessed in a selected pilot area by calculating the potential for photovoltaic (PV) energy generation. The use of this clean energy in buildings, urban lighting, and light electric vehicles will be modelled using digital twin technology. UP2030 also seeks to develop innovative urban solutions, strengthen the institutional capacities of local authorities, establish enabling governance and financing arrangements, and scale up successful interventions across cities. By placing inclusive participation and spatial justice at the centre of its approach, the project aims to generate scientific and technical contributions to urban climate policy development and implementation, supporting cities in achieving their climate neutrality goals.