The Gölbaşı Düzlüğü Pondscape is located between Lakes Mogan and Eymir in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara, covering about 35 hectares and containing approximately 30 ponds. These ponds play a crucial role in flood prevention and water quality enhancement, surrounded by dense reedbeds that provide vital habitats for biodiversity. The area is managed by the Gölbaşı District Municipality and is publicly accessible, offering walking paths and recreational spaces. However, urban encroachment, waste disposal, and industrial activities have affected water quality and natural surface water flow. Despite these challenges, the Gölbaşı Düzlüğü remains an important urban green space, contributing to flood mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and providing recreational opportunities.
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This pondscape plays a critical role in flood mitigation, water management, and biodiversity conservation in the Gölbaşı region. It supports urban and peri-urban ecosystems, enhances water quality, and provides recreational spaces, offering significant environmental and social benefits.
- Restoration of ponds and removal of waste
- Vegetation management and restoration of reedbeds
- Implementation of the Gölbaşı People’s Park project to enhance public spaces
- Flood mitigation measures, including clearing canals and enhancing water storage capacity
- Regular monitoring of bird species and habitats
- Disaster Mitigation
- Water Management
- Biodiversity Enhancement
- Human Health
- Developing climate change adaptation; improving risk management and resilience
- Increase infiltration / Water storage
- Reduce drought risk
- Reduce flood risk
- Restoring ecosystems and their functions
- Increase Biodiversity
- Increase quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructures
- Improve water quality
- Increase accessibility to green open spaces
- Social learning about location & importance of NBS
The nature-based solutions implemented in the Gölbaşı Düzlüğü Pondscape provide valuable insights into how urban and semi-urban areas can address flood management and biodiversity conservation through sustainable practices. These strategies can be replicated in other regions facing similar urbanization and water management challenges. By integrating green infrastructure into urban planning and promoting biodiversity, these solutions offer long-term ecological and social benefits, helping to mitigate the adverse impacts of rapid urban development.
The Gölbaşı Düzlüğü Pondscape is threatened by urban encroachment, waste disposal, the impact of industrial activities, and increased human activity. If not managed carefully, these threats could degrade biodiversity and reduce the pondscape's flood mitigation potential. Ensuring long-term protection and restoration, mainly through collaborative efforts between local authorities, conservation groups, and stakeholders, is critical to maintaining the ecological integrity of the area. The ongoing People’s Park project shows promise, but it will be essential to manage public access and ensure that infrastructure developments do not disturb the area's hydrology or biodiversity.
Further information
- 3. Good Health and Well-being
- 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 13. Climate Action
- 14. Life Below Water