Local Biodiversity Included in Planning and Development (2023)

Boğaziçi University Environmental and Social Management Plan 2023

Boğaziçi University prioritizes sustainability by considering local biodiversity in campus development processes. In the construction of new buildings and other infrastructure projects, sustainability standards such as LEED certifications (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are followed to minimize environmental impact. These certifications indicate that buildings have been assessed against sustainability criteria such as energy efficiency, water use, material selection and indoor environmental quality.

The Strategic Plan and Land Development Guidelines provide a framework for the protection of local biodiversity in these processes. In new projects, steps are taken to protect ecosystems and designs are made so as not to impact local flora and fauna. Especially on campuses such as Kilyos Sarıtepe Campus, environmental impacts are minimized by using sustainable energy solutions. Energy efficiency-oriented projects such as the KABEV Project implemented on campus are designed to both reduce energy consumption and protect local ecosystems.

These projects both contribute to Boğaziçi University's own sustainability goals and play an important role in protecting biodiversity in the region. In addition, the university-wide Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plan Project includes efforts to reduce building emissions and aims to reduce human impacts on local ecosystems.

Flora / Fauna at Boğaziçi University

As Boğaziçi University, we aim to ensure the protection of plants, animals and insects on our campuses in their natural habitats; to make arrangements to prevent our staff, faculty and students from being negatively affected by animals in outdoor spaces and buildings, and to raise awareness on campus on these issues. Based on this philosophy, we submit the following for your information:

1. To date (between December 2020 and February 2023), 153 cats have been microchipped and their parasitic treatment and preventive vaccination applications are ongoing. Cat houses and food/water bowls for cats have been placed on the north and south campuses. A total of 22 dogs were given parasitic treatment and preventive vaccinations in the North and South campuses. Sterilization of cats and dogs continues. Our veterinarian is on duty in cases of illness/injury etc. that may occur in cats and dogs. In this process, support is received from municipalities and private clinics if needed. Dogs that are observed to be aggressive are sent to animal habitats. Dogs are trained to prevent dog attacks caused by the canes of our visually impaired students.

2. It is especially essential to take the following points into consideration:

• Cats and dogs should be given food/food in containers that have been and are being placed.
• They should never be given raw meat or bones. Raw meat in particular makes dogs wild and aggressive (towards cats, people and vehicles).
• Cats/dogs should not be brought from outside the school and left on campus. The current population is overcrowded. Considering the high costs of sterilization procedures, we would like to underline once again that we should all be sensitive about this issue.
• Absolutely no cats should be kept inside buildings. Feeding cats in buildings leads to cats settling in the building, which is contrary to human health and general hygiene. In addition, apart from fleas/fleas and other health problems, cats can be trapped in the building.

3. As is well known, the protection and development of the vegetation in our school is carried out by our Land Evaluation Department.

Related Links:

• Boğaziçi University BounEnergy Team
• Boğaziçi University Environmental and Social Management Plan 2023
• Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plan Project
• Flora / Fauna Policy

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-15 (Related Section)

Incorporating Local Biodiversity into Planning and Development Processes

Boğaziçi University adopts an approach to protect and enhance local biodiversity in all new building and infrastructure projects on campuses. The University strives to minimise negative impacts on biodiversity by incorporating sustainability standards and the goal of maintaining ecological balance into planning processes.

ISO Standards

Boğaziçi University Department of Construction and Technical Affairs operates in accordance with ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ISO 50001 Energy Management System standards in building and infrastructure projects within the university. In this context, planning and managing energy use, taking steps to increase energy efficiency and continuous improvement of processes are among the main objectives. This approach minimises environmental impacts and contributes to the protection of nature and biodiversity.

Sustainable Energy Use

Environmental impacts are minimised by using renewable energy sources in new building and infrastructure projects at the university. In particular, sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind energy are used effectively to meet on-campus energy needs. These practices support environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint and make significant contributions to the protection of ecosystems and thus the continuity of biodiversity.

Click here to go to the web page of the Department of Construction and Technical Affairs:

https://yapiisleri.bogazici.edu.tr/

Green Building Certifications

Boğaziçi University's new building and renovation projects are designed and implemented in accordance with international sustainability certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). These certifications assess the impact of projects on natural ecosystems and biodiversity in addition to environmental criteria such as material selection, energy efficiency and water use. Thus, environmental sustainability is ensured during the construction process, while contributing to the protection of flora and fauna species in the areas where the buildings are located.

KABEV and KADEV Projects

The KABEV (Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings) and KADEV (Earthquake Resistance and Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings) projects implemented on Boğaziçi University campuses offer an innovative model that combines energy efficiency and sustainability goals. These projects make significant contributions to protecting local ecosystems and supporting biodiversity by minimising environmental impacts. In addition, comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plans are prepared and rigorously implemented for each campus to ensure the protection of environmental habitats and the sustainability of natural ecosystems during project works.

Environmental and Social Management Plan Example:

https://impact.bogazici.edu.tr/sites/impact.bogazici.edu.tr/files/bogazici_universitesi_saritepe_kilyos_kampusu_cevresel_ve_sosyal_yonetim_plani_en.pdf

In addition to contributing to the sustainability goals of Boğaziçi University, these projects provide significant support for the conservation of biodiversity in the region and the sustainable management of natural ecosystems.