Fighting Visual Pollution: A Community-Led Initiative

As part of Urban October, we focused on addressing visual pollution in our city, a key concern raised by our young stakeholders during the development of Beşiktaş Municipality’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Istanbul, with its rich historical heritage, especially along the Bosphorus, boasts architectural gems from the Ottoman era. Beşiktaş, one of the oldest districts, holds the responsibility of preserving this heritage while adapting to modern urban needs. Inspired by the input of young residents, we initiated this campaign to raise awareness and take action against visual pollution, ensuring that any urban transformation respects the historical texture of our city. Our video campaign was created as a call to action, aiming to educate the public on the importance of maintaining the aesthetic integrity of our surroundings while encouraging community engagement. Through this initiative, we aim to highlight the role of youth in shaping a visually appealing and historically respectful urban future.