Sustainable Campus Infrastructure

Dokuz Eylül University carries out its education, research, healthcare, cultural, and administrative activities across a wide campus network located throughout İzmir. With campuses distributed in different districts of the city, the university has a strong urban presence and maintains close interaction with local communities, public institutions, healthcare services, cultural life, and transportation networks.

The university operates in 20 different locations across İzmir Province. These include major academic campuses such as Central Campus, Buca Campus, Dokuzçeşmeler Campus, 15 Temmuz Health Campus, İnciraltı Campus, Bergama Campus, Torbalı Campus, Selçuk Campus, Kiraz Campus, Seferihisar Campus, and the Rectorate area in Alsancak. This distributed structure allows Dokuz Eylül University to serve a wide student and staff population while remaining closely connected to the urban fabric of İzmir.

The total land area of Dokuz Eylül University is approximately 5.5 million m². This large physical capacity includes academic buildings, research areas, healthcare facilities, cultural buildings, social spaces, open green areas, forested zones, and supporting infrastructure. The Central Campus, formerly known as Tınaztepe Campus, is the largest campus of the university and represents a major part of the university’s land area.

Although Dokuz Eylül University has a large built environment, the university also preserves extensive open spaces. These areas support campus life by providing places for resting, social interaction, walking, outdoor activities, and informal learning. The availability of open spaces is an important part of a healthy and sustainable campus environment, especially for a large university community.

The university’s built infrastructure includes classrooms, laboratories, libraries, administrative buildings, healthcare units, research centers, cultural venues, sports facilities, student areas, and service buildings. The total indoor building area is approximately 821,000 m². This infrastructure supports education, research, innovation, health services, social life, and institutional management across the university.

Dokuz Eylül University’s campus structure is strongly linked with the city. Major campuses such as Central Campus, 15 Temmuz Health Campus, Buca Campus, Dokuzçeşmeler Campus, and the Rectorate are located either in the city center or near active residential districts. This urban setting improves accessibility and strengthens the relationship between the university and society.

The urban and multi-campus structure of Dokuz Eylül University also supports sustainability. Locating campuses close to residential areas and public transportation routes helps reduce travel distances for many students and staff. At the same time, the university’s open spaces, green areas, pedestrian routes, shuttle services, and social facilities contribute to a more accessible, inclusive, and livable campus environment.

Dokuz Eylül University continues to improve its infrastructure with a sustainability-oriented approach. The university aims to use its physical spaces efficiently, protect natural areas, improve accessibility, strengthen campus safety, and support a healthy campus life for students, academic staff, administrative staff, and visitors.

Green Spaces and Biodiversity

Nature is an essential part of life at Dokuz Eylül University. Extensive forests, landscaped gardens, and open green spaces create a campus environment where education, research, and daily life are closely connected with nature. The university protects these natural areas while continuously improving its green infrastructure.

More than half of the university’s total campus area is covered by forest vegetation. These forests provide important ecological benefits such as carbon storage, climate regulation, habitat conservation, and recreational opportunities. They also serve as outdoor learning environments where students and researchers conduct field studies, ecological observations, and environmental monitoring.

In addition to natural forests, landscaped gardens, tree-lined walkways, and recreational green areas can be found throughout the campuses. Regular tree planting and landscape improvement projects enhance biodiversity while creating comfortable outdoor spaces for students, staff, and visitors.

Biodiversity conservation is supported through research and education. The Fauna and Flora Research and Application Center (FAMER) has documented the rich biodiversity of the Central Campus through the publication of the Flora and Fauna of Dokuz Eylül University Central Campus. Ecological monitoring, biodiversity studies, and environmental observations continue across different campuses, contributing to both scientific research and environmental awareness.

By integrating forest conservation, sustainable landscaping, scientific research, and environmental education, Dokuz Eylül University creates a campus environment that supports both biodiversity and the well-being of its university community.

Accessible and Inclusive Campus

Dokuz Eylül University is committed to providing an inclusive campus environment where all students, staff, and visitors can participate equally in academic and social life. Accessibility is considered an essential component of campus planning, and continuous improvements are made to ensure that university facilities, services, and digital platforms are accessible to everyone.

The university’s accessibility initiatives are coordinated by the Disabled Student Coordination Unit (Engelsiz DEÜ), which supports students with disabilities throughout their educational journey. Working in line with national accessibility standards, the unit promotes equal opportunities, removes barriers to learning, and develops solutions that enable full participation in university life.

Across the university, accessibility features have been integrated into campus buildings and public spaces. Ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, tactile paving, accessible entrances, designated parking spaces, and clear directional signage help ensure safe and comfortable mobility. In addition, accessible shuttle services connect different parts of the campuses and support independent transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Digital accessibility is also an important priority. University websites are designed in accordance with WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards, allowing users with different needs to access information and online services more easily. Reading and sound units, induction loop systems, and audio guidance technologies further support students with visual and hearing impairments.

Supporting well-being extends beyond physical accessibility. Dokuz Eylül University also provides childcare facilities, health services, and social support that contribute to an inclusive campus environment for students, academic staff, administrative staff, and their families.

Through continuous investments in accessible infrastructure, inclusive services, and equal opportunity policies, Dokuz Eylül University aims to ensure that every member of the university community can study, work, and participate in campus life without barriers.

Safe and Healthy Campus

Creating a safe, healthy, and supportive campus environment is one of the main priorities of Dokuz Eylül University. Comprehensive security systems, emergency preparedness measures, and high-quality healthcare services work together to ensure the well-being of students, academic staff, administrative staff, and visitors across all campuses.

Campus security is coordinated by the Directorate of Protection and Security. Access to university campuses is controlled through ID card systems, while vehicle entrances are managed using electronic access technologies. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems monitor both indoor and outdoor areas, providing continuous surveillance and helping maintain a secure campus environment.

Emergency preparedness is supported by fire detection and suppression systems, emergency response equipment, and regular maintenance activities. Fire extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits, and safety inspections are available throughout the university. Dedicated firefighting and emergency response vehicles further strengthen the university’s capacity to respond quickly to unexpected situations.

In addition to physical safety, Dokuz Eylül University offers a comprehensive healthcare network. The university provides healthcare services through its Research and Application Hospital, Oral and Dental Health Center, campus polyclinics, rehabilitation facilities, and specialized healthcare units. Students and staff can easily access medical consultation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and preventive healthcare services within the university.

Digital healthcare services, including online appointment systems, make medical services more accessible and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery. These services help reduce waiting times while ensuring that members of the university community receive timely medical support.

Dokuz Eylül University continues to strengthen its campus environment through continuous investments in security infrastructure, emergency preparedness, healthcare services, and occupational health and safety. By integrating safety and well-being into campus management, the university provides a secure, resilient, and supportive environment for learning, research, and daily life.

Sustainable Infrastructure Management

Dokuz Eylül University manages its campus infrastructure through transparent planning, digital management systems, and continuous improvement. Infrastructure investments are planned to support the university’s academic, research, healthcare, and administrative activities while ensuring efficient and responsible use of resources.

The university utilizes several national digital systems, including the Public Investment Information System (KAYA), the Integrated Public Financial Management Information System (BKMYBS), and the Public Investments Monitoring System (İLYAT). These systems support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of infrastructure projects in cooperation with relevant public institutions.

Resim 22

Digital management tools strengthen institutional governance by supporting evidence-based decision-making, transparent budgeting, and effective project monitoring. Through these integrated systems, infrastructure investments are regularly evaluated, helping the university improve operational efficiency and maintain accountability in its management processes.

The university continues to develop its campus infrastructure in line with institutional priorities and national regulations. By combining strategic planning with digital governance, Dokuz Eylül University aims to provide a resilient, well-managed, and sustainable campus environment for its entire university community.