Green Steps Marmara Walking Through Istanbul with Greener Steps
Istanbul is a city of endless possibilities. Every street has a story, every neighbourhood has its own rhythm, and every corner offers something waiting to be discovered.
But for Erasmus students arriving in such a huge city, this richness can sometimes feel confusing. Where should I go? What should I choose? How can I explore the city in a way that feels meaningful, local, and responsible?
This is where Green Steps Marmara began.
We wanted to make sustainability part of everyday life. Not as a distant idea, but as something students could experience while eating, shopping, walking, creating, and spending time together. We waanted to show it is possible to explore your Erasmus city in a sustainable, responsible way.
The first step was the Green Guide, a digital guide (Google Maps) that gathered vegan and vegetarian restaurants, thrift shops, and second-hand bookshops across Istanbul. It became a starting point for students who wanted to explore the city in a more conscious way.
But we did not want the guide to remain only as a map. We wanted students to live it.
So Green Steps Marmara grew into a series of experiences.
Through Books, Brews and Finds, students visited second-hand bookshops and vintage stores, discovering local places full of stories and character.
During the Sustainable Treasure Hunt, they explored flea markets and saw how second-hand shopping can be affordable, fun, and meaningful.
In the Trash Art Competition, students turned waste materials into art and looked at reuse in a creative way.
With Sustainable Hiking, they took a break from the busy city and spent time in one of Istanbul’s green spaces.
Each activity showed sustainability from a different angle. Sometimes it was about choosing second-hand. Sometimes it was about supporting local places. Sometimes it was about reusing what already exists. Sometimes it was simply about slowing down and noticing the nature around us.
Green Steps Marmara helped students feel more confident in Istanbul. It gave them places to return to, habits to carry with them, and new ways to connect with the city.
Receiving an Honourable Mention in Environmental Sustainability is a beautiful reminder that sustainability does not always start with big actions. Sometimes it starts with a map, a walk, a reused object, a second-hand book, or a shared moment in nature.
With Green Steps Marmara, we learned that small steps can lead to lasting change and we are proud that these steps were taken together.
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