Sakarya University promotes public access to green spaces through its sustainable and community-oriented campus approach. Walking paths, landscaped areas, recreational spaces, and other publicly accessible green spaces within the Esentepe Campus are available free of charge to members of the wider community, as well as university students and staff. This approach encourages outdoor activities, physical well-being, and social interaction while strengthening the relationship between the university and the surrounding community.
External visitors may access these areas after completing a Temporary Campus Entry Card Application Form, which supports campus security and visitor registration. No admission or membership fee is charged. Visitor entry procedures are administered in accordance with the university's Identity Card, Card Access System and Vehicle Permit Directive, ensuring safe and orderly access to campus facilities and designated public spaces.
Green Campus Areas and Natural Environment
Aerial view of Sakarya University Esentepe Campus, highlighting its landscaped green spaces, tree-covered areas, and natural surroundings overlooking Lake Sapanca.
Sakarya University has extensive landscaped and natural areas within its total campus area of 2,330,665 square metres.
According to the university's official Green Campus land-use data, 979,192 square metres are covered by planted landscape vegetation, excluding forested areas, representing approximately 42.01% of the total campus area.
These green spaces include tree-lined areas, landscaped vegetation, walking routes, and outdoor recreational areas. The university's publicly available Green Campus information provides institutional evidence of its green infrastructure and the monitoring of campus land use.
In addition to supporting education and research, designated green and open spaces provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, social interaction, and community activities.
Public Use of Campus Green Spaces in 2025
External participants using campus green spaces during the “Learning and Exploring on Campus” project, 2025.
Between 16 July and 6 August 2025, Sakarya University implemented the “Learning and Exploring on Campus” Project, providing children from outside the university community with opportunities to participate in educational, recreational, and outdoor activities on campus.
The project was implemented through cooperation between the university's Department of Health, Culture and Sports, Faculty of Theology, and the Sakarya Provincial Mufti's Office. A total of 500 students from 25 Qur'an courses participated.
Activities took place at the green space behind the former SAÜSEM building and at the Youth Office. Children participated in activities including archery, scouting, drone simulation, and awareness-building programmes.
The project provides direct evidence of external visitors using Sakarya University's campus green spaces for educational, recreational, and social development purposes in 2025.
2025 YURTLİG Orienteering Türkiye Championship
The YURTLİG Orienteering Türkiye Championship, held in Sakarya between 10 and 16 May 2025, included its first competition stage on the Sakarya University campus.
The championship brought together 100 athletes from 10 different provinces, with approximately 150 participants in total, including technical staff, administrators, and coaches.
Through outdoor navigation and orientation activities, participants demonstrated map-reading, route-finding, and physical endurance skills in a nature-based sporting environment.
The event provides a documented example of people from outside the university community accessing and using Sakarya University's outdoor campus environment for sporting activities.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
By providing free public access to designated campus green spaces and hosting educational, recreational, and sporting activities involving external participants, Sakarya University contributes to the accessibility and community use of natural and outdoor environments.
These practices support SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces.
They also contribute to SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4 – Quality Education by encouraging physical activity, engagement with nature, and outdoor learning opportunities for different groups in society.
