Following a call to action by ICLEI Member Antalya Muratpaşa Municipality (Turkey), 52 cities from 27 countries came together at the Kaleiçi Old Town Forum to sign a declaration titled “Environmentally Friendly Municipal Practices for Sustainable Tourism in Living Old Towns”.

Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal unveiled the declaration, which is a commitment of cities to the environment and cultural integrity. The text will be shared with relevant institutions and organisations, especially the UN and UNESCO. The announced declaration was accepted unanimously by the 52 cities that joined the Forum, and was signed by all cities in attendance.

The declaration, which offers policy recommendations on topics such as the seasonal structure of the tourism sector, rapidly depleting water resources, greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy sources used for transportation, heating, cooling and lighting, collection and disposal of liquid and solid waste, and consumption culture, includes the statement:

“Historic urban centres should be combined with a local development model that will enable activities in different areas of life to be experienced in a satisfying, in-depth and correct pace, stimulate the senses of their visitors, and preserve local identity, biodiversity and natural environment.”

The 2022 edition of the Kaleiçi Old Town Forum was held as part of the 7th Kaleiçi Old Town Festival, hosted this year by Muratpaşa Municipality. The Forum convened 52 internationally-diverse cities spanning from the Balkans to Europe, from North Africa to the Middle East, and from Southeast Asia to island countries like Malta and Ireland.

The Forum was held this year under the theme “Environmentally Friendly Municipal Practices for Sustainable Tourism in Living Old Towns”. Throughout the Forum, cities shared their work and projects in historical city centres and archaeological heritage sites.

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