This week's news from Bodrum covers local safety, environmental decisions, community initiatives, and cultural and sports events.
Week at a glance
Crime and Public Safety
A teenage assault case in Karabag moved to judicial investigation.
Environment and Land Use
A planned stone quarry was cancelled, and a major coastal plan was suspended by court.
Education and Community
MSKU held its Tourism School-Industry meeting and local association GÜÇDER announced reorganization.
Culture and Sports
A 20th solo exhibition opened in Izmir, and Bodrum teams prepared for important matches.
Crime and Public Safety
In Bodrum's Karabag neighborhood, a dispute between two 16-year-old boys in a local park escalated into a serious assault on 7 January. A video circulating in the media shows one teenager repeatedly kicking and punching his peer until the victim (C.E.K.) lost consciousness.
Authorities report that both the attacker (N.E.) and the person recording the incident have been taken into custody. The Bodrum District Governor's Office confirmed that a judicial investigation has been launched.
Environment and Land Use
On 26 February, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism cancelled the Environmental Impact Assessment process for a planned stone quarry in the Kizilagac and Yaliciftlik areas of Bodrum. The quarry site lies within a designated tourism zone, and the ministry ruled that mining there would damage the natural landscape and conflict with tourism. As a result, the project was halted.
In legal news, the Council of State (Danistay) temporarily halted the 1/50,000-scale Integrated Coastal Areas Plan for the Mugla and Aydin provinces. This plan included the Bodrum coast, and the court found serious flaws, including incorrectly classifying protected areas as buildable. The ruling means new coastal development projects in the region are suspended until a revised plan is prepared.
Local officials also acted against illegal structures on the waterfront. Coordinated by the Bodrum district administration, teams demolished makeshift piers in Gumusluk Bay and removed abandoned boats left along the shore. Authorities said this operation aims to eliminate environmental hazards and ensure safer conditions for maritime activities.
Education and Community Initiatives
On 25 February, Mugla Sitki Kocman University (MSKU) hosted its 20th Tourism School-Industry Meeting on the Bodrum campus. More than 100 companies from hotel, tour, travel and food-service sectors set up booths to meet tourism students.
The event connects young job seekers with employers and is considered mutually beneficial: students explore career paths while businesses recruit seasonal staff.
In Bodrum's Gumusluk district, the local tourism-environment association GÜÇDER announced it is reorganizing. Founded in 2005 to protect Gumusluk's natural and cultural heritage, GÜÇDER held a first meeting outlining a roadmap for action. Members, including hotel owners and local families, discussed environmental sustainability, noise and pollution control, and cooperation with government and industry. A general assembly is planned next month to elect a new board and officially launch projects.
Culture and Sports
Bodrum-born artist Gulsah Ikbal Cesur opened her 20th solo exhibition "From Tradition to Future" at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce art gallery. Running 23-27 February, the show presents 55 works blending traditional Ottoman ship motifs and classical decorative art with modern painting techniques.
In sports, Bodrum's women's handball team Armada Praxis Yalikavakspor trained in Bodrum ahead of an away game on 28 February in Trabzon. Coach Kivanc Ozcan said the team focused on defense and mental strength during practice. Last week, the team secured a 23-23 draw against Bursa's team.
Youth football also made news as the Ortakent Yahsi U12 team hosted a friendly match against the Besiktas Football Academy in Bodrum, giving young players useful high-level match experience.
Sources
- Haberler - Teen assault case in Bodrum
- Bodrumhaber - Stone quarry project cancelled
- Sualti Gazetesi - Danistay decision on Mugla and Bodrum coasts
- TRT Haber - Illegal waterfront structures demolished
- Bodrumca - MSKU tourism school-industry meeting
- Bodrumca - GÜÇDER reorganization
- Bodrumca - Gulsah Ikbal Cesur exhibition
- Bodrumca - Armada Praxis Yalikavakspor training
- Bodrumca - Ortakent Yahsi U12 vs Besiktas Academy
