A park with solar panels is coming to the neighborhood that took first place in the participatory budgeting process
In the participatory budgeting process in Fethiye, in which 666 people cast their votes, the project that received the most support—a park that will generate its own energy using solar panels and wind turbines—will be included in the 2027 budget.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
Voting has concluded in the participatory budgeting initiative led by the Fethiye Municipality. In this process, where neighborhood residents made decisions directly, the project that received the most support was a park that will generate its own electricity using solar panels and a wind turbine.
666 participants, 65 projects
According to information provided by Mahmut Bayraktar, Director of Sanitation Services, 666 people participated in the process, and a total of 65 project proposals were evaluated. The proposals were grouped and categorized into seven separate groups. The project that emerged as the top choice through citizen voting will be included in the 2027 municipal budget.
A park that will generate its own energy
The first-place project proposes that the park’s lighting be powered by solar panels, with supplementary energy provided by a wind turbine. This will not only reduce electricity costs but also make the use of renewable energy visible in the city center. The park is also planned to include a children’s play area and resting areas.
The decision rests with the neighborhood residents
The participatory budgeting initiative aims to allow the municipality to determine its investment priorities in collaboration with neighborhood residents. Residents can directly express which services they consider a priority in their own neighborhoods. Municipal officials state that the initiative will continue in the coming years with even broader participation.
What’s next?
Work will begin on the project’s scope and technical details. Once the feasibility study and design phases are completed, the construction process will be addressed as part of the 2027 budget. The municipality announced that other proposals that stood out in the vote will also be evaluated to the extent possible. You can follow developments related to Fethiye on our local news page.
Local Interest in Renewable Energy
Across Muğla, solar energy applications have been spreading in recent years—from municipal service buildings to park areas. The region’s high hours of sunshine shorten the payback period for such investments and reduce energy costs for local governments.
How does participatory budgeting work?
In practice, proposals collected at neighborhood meetings are first reviewed from a technical perspective, and those deemed feasible are then put to a vote. Residents evaluate proposals related to their own neighborhoods and make their selections. The project that receives the most votes is included in the following year’s investment program, and funding is allocated accordingly. This method ensures that the public has a direct say in the planning of local services.
