1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Adana (FUA)
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Köprüköy Camisi
Short description of the intervention
The Köprüköy Mosque in Adana, commonly named "green mosque", is one of a kind in Türkiye (Ref. 2,5). Its building and minaret are almost entirely covered by poison ivy and appear in vivid green colour from afar. Founded in 1929, it had to be remodelled in the early 60s as it couldn't sufficiently accommodate worshippers in the growing district. The mosque was then entirely built and rebuilt by the community, with its maintenance overseen by the mosque's protection association (Ref. 4). In the 70s, the ivy was planted and has since helped to protect the building from environmental stressors and keep visitors inside the garden and mosque cool during the summer heat (Ref. 4,5,6) Furthermore, the mosque’s well-maintained garden, home to around 280 species, is adored by local, national, and international visitors and tourists, as well as the media (Ref. 1,3,7). Frequent maintenance and rotation of the garden's flowers keep its appearance and function intact, one of which is the profound impact on visitors’ well-being, with many praising the unique atmosphere of the mosque that evokes peace, comfort, and spirituality (Ref. 1,3,4).
During COVID-19, the mosque could only host worshippers during praying hours, after which it quickly continued to bring people back together to garden, rest and socialize throughout the day (Ref. 1).
Website of the intervention
https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/yesil-cami-baharda-acan-cicekleri-ve-sarm…
Principal problems
Climate-Related Hazards
Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
Land use and Socio-economic change
Rapid urbanization
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)
Ecosystem
Urban or built environment
Address

Köprülü, 4277. Sk. No:17
01230 Yüreğir/Adana/
Türkiye

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary (map-based)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
https://www.sozcu.com.tr/adanada-sarmasiklarla-kapli-yesil-cami-wp2370296
Area description
Urban (main city)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Unknown
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
pre-1990
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
pre-1990
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Goal 1: Protect worshippers from the heat during the summer. (Ref. 5,6)
Goal 2: Protect the mosque from deterioration through careful maintenance and green walls/roofs covered by poison ivy, which does not damage the structure of the mosque. (Ref. 5)
Goal 3: Create a unique atmosphere and appearance that is conducted by the green elements which positively impacts mental health and tourism. (Ref. 3,4)
Goal 4: Provide a space to socialize and visit beyond prayer times. (Ref. 1,4,6)
Goal 5: Increase social cohesion and community engangement through the mosque's maintenance association. (Ref. 3)
Goal 6: Plant diverse species to increase biodiversity. (Ref. 6)
Key Priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Social Justice and community
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Improving mental health
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Sense of community and community engagement
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Tourism support
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implement green walls or roofs to lower indoor temperature and provide insulation
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Restore valued species
Public engagement
Mental health and well-being objectives
not explicity mentioned as objective but frequently reported by interviewees
Mental health and well-being activities
communal gardening and the combination of aesthetic and spiritual experieces
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
1) Remodellig in 1965 to serve a growing community with a more robust structure. (Ref. 4)
2) Appointment of a permanent Imam and staff, which established the institution as a whole. (Ref. 4)
3) In the 70's, the community planted the Poison Ivy, which quickly covered the mosque and minaret (Ref. 4). However, that initial species harmed the construction and another species was introduced from the Taurus Mountains in Turkey. (Ref. 5)
4) For over 40 years, the garden has been maintained by the community/protection and maintenance association of the mosque, which is also responsible for planting the flowers. (Ref. 5)
5) The mosque and garden welcome anyone who would like to visit. (Ref. 1,3,4,7)
Type of NBS project
Maintenance and management of urban nature
Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks)
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Institutional green space
Nature on buildings (external)
Green walls or facades
Amenities offered by the NBS
Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)
Other
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
Library
Design elements for well-being
Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)
Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Raw materials
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Tourism
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Spiritual and / or emblematic (symbolic, sacred and / or religious)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
unknown
Socio-economic profile of the area
Unknown
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Unknown
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Citizens or community groups
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
Tourists
Worshipping community
Specify primary beneficiaries
"[...], a member of the mosque community, also stated that their mosque is like a botanical garden and said: [...] We are happy with our mosque." (Ref. 1)
"Visitors also come from abroad to see this place, and Aydın said, "People come not only from Adana, but also from Adana and its surroundings." (Ref. 4)
"Quran Course students, [...], noted that the appearance of the mosque was very beautiful and that they loved coming to the mosque" (Ref. 4)
Marginalized groups
Unknown
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
" [...] a member of the mosque community said that they built the Köprüköy Mosque by demolishing the old building (Mosque), which was a small place, years ago and collaborating with the neighbourhood. Our elders were the pioneers, and we, the young people, were behind them." (Ref. 4)
"[...] rebuilt in 1965, was decorated with ivy and flowers by the Köprüköy Mosque Protection and Maintenance Association, which was founded by the mosque community years ago. (Ref. 3)
"Köprüköy Mosque, [...] was decorated with ivy and flowers by the mosque community over the years." (Ref. 7)
Key actors - initiating organization
Citizens or community group
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
District/neighbourhood association
Stages of citizen and community engagement
Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)
Development of project proposal
On-the-ground implementation
Monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes
Reporting and dissemination of project results
Level of citizen and community engagement
High
Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives
Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Community & Social Groups
Churches and other religious organisations or faith communities
Elderly population or elderly rights associations
Land owners
Other
Please specify other landowner
Mosque
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
No
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation
Governace and decison-making instruments
Unknown
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Unknown
Barriers
In 2018, news reported that the area in which the mosque lies may be entirely redeveloped and the mosque demolished. The community showed great concern over this announcement. (Ref. 8)
The mosque could only welcome people during times of prayer during covid, limiting the use of the garden (Ref.1)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
unknown
Source(s) of funding
Unknown
Type of fund(s) used
Donations
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
Selling of flowers from the garden to gather funds.
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
An association
Entrepreneurship opportunities
No
Business models
Business models
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Citizens / local communities
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Achieved lowered local temperature
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Increased number of species present
Achieved increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
-Lowered local temperature: "Beyond providing an unusual beauty and a cool place to pray [...]" (Ref. 5)
-Increased green space area: "Köprüköy Mosque, [...] was decorated with ivy and flowers by the mosque community over the years." (Ref. 7)
-Increased number of species present: "It resembles a botanical garden, with 280 plant varieties that bloom with the approach of spring, including begonia, rose, lavender, pomegranate, daffodil, and laurel." (Ref. 6)
Environmental impact indicators
Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced
~280
Economic impacts
More sustainable tourism
Achieved more sustainable tourism
Generation of income from NBS
Achieved generation of income from NBS
Description of economic benefits
-More sustainable tourism: "We are packed on Fridays. Our visitors come from many places. Some people came from Yugoslavia and we gave interviews" (Ref. 7)
-Generation of income from NBS:"Cumali Liba, a member of the mosque community, said that they also contributed to the mosque by selling flowers to citizens" (Ref. 7)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Achieved improved social cohesion
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Achieved improved mental health
Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
Achieved enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Preserved spiritual and religious values
Achieved preserved spiritual and religious values
Description of social and cultural benefits
-Improved social cohesion: "the Köprüköy Mosque protection and maintenance association, which was founded by the mosque community years ago." (Ref. 3)
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "In the city, where the temperature begins to rise, the community spends time outside prayer hours by coming to the tea house in the mosque courtyard and chatting over tea" (Ref. 4)
-Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces:"The ground is grass, we have roses. We have ivy and vine trees around the mosque. We have flowers that we call bridal veils. We reap it when the season comes and it shoots again." (Ref. 7), "The Yesil Mosque Protection and Sustenance Association is in charge of maintaining the condition of the building" (Ref. 5)
-Improved mental health: " People find peace here." (Ref. 3)
-Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief: "The congregation of the mosque, also known as the 'Green Mosque' for years, said that worshipping here gave them a special peace of mind." (Ref. 3)
-Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: "This mosque is the greenest historical building in Turkey" (Ref. 1), "The ivy serves another purpose: It protects the building." (Ref. 5)
-Preserved spiritual and religious values : "as you know, we are in the summer Quran course period and our students came to our mosque to witness this spiritual atmosphere and learn about the Quran and religion" (Ref. 4)


Mental health benefits
Improved mood
Restoration and relaxation
Increased feelings of happiness and contentment
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts
District/neighbourhood association
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Type of indicators
Output indicators
Outcome indicators
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
No
Transparency
Unknown
Justice
Community satisfaction
Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community.
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
"Its name is Köprüköy Mosque, but it is known as the 'Green Mosque'. We are happy with our mosque. " (Ref. 1)
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
No initiatives or policies were implemented
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
Yes
Goal setting and impacts delivery
Yes, from the planning phase the project aimed to address issues in these three key priority areas and it also delivered benefits across these three areas.
Long-term perspective
Yes
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project
Transformative capacity
Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)
Magnitude of change
Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation
Application of lessons learned
Unknown
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
Bozkurt, E. (2021). 'Yeşil cami' baharda açan çiçekleri ve sarmaşıklarıyla botanik bahçesini andırıyor. Anadolu Agency, Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
Albrifkany, I. M., Hashim. L., Aslantaş, P., Şevket, A. (2021). Adaptive Reuse of Osman Shah Mosque in Trikala through the Landscape Design . PLANNING, DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, p. 344-345 Accessed on August 28, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
İhlas Haber Ajansı (2019). 'Yeşil Cami' Ramazan'a hazır. mermular, Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Özbay. Y. (2023). Adana'da sarmaşıklarıyla ünlü cami: Köprüköy Camii . Ilkha, Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
World Bulletin (2014). Green Mosque in south-eastern Turkey. Islam.ru, Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
6.
IHA News (2022). Adana’s botanical garden: “Green mosque”. Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
7.
Sözcü (2018). Adana'da sarmaşıklarla kaplı Yeşil Cami. Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
8.
Ihlas Haber Ajansi (2018). Yeşil Cami yıkım tehlikesiyle karşı karşıya . Accessed on August 29, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Additional insights
5. Application of lessons learned:
"It attracts attention because it is a first in Turkey. They [visitors] want other mosques to be like this too." (Ref. 1)

Other: "The mosque continues to gain fame by being featured in many TV series and movies."
Public Images
View from the yard of the mosque
View from the yard of the mosque
https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/yesil-cami-baharda-acan-cicekleri-ve-sarmasiklariyla-botanik-bahcesini-andiriyor/2234428#
View of the yard
View of the yard
https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/yesil-cami-baharda-acan-cicekleri-ve-sarmasiklariyla-botanik-bahcesini-andiriyor/2234428#
Aearial View of the Neighborhood
Aearial View of the Neighborhood
https://iha.news/adanas-botanical-garden-green-mosque/