This document outlines principles for governing Istanbul that signatories want local candidates and officials to follow. It calls for inclusive governance that respects citizens' rights to participate regardless of identity. It emphasizes protecting cultural heritage and the environment, ensuring access to housing, education and other services, and planning development with public input to safeguard residents' well-being.

1. ISTANBUL
COVENANT
We,
the
signatories
of
this
covenant,
want
to
assume
our
civic
responsibility
and
participate
in
decisions
concerning
the
development,
administration
and
future
of
Istanbul.
We
take
our
city
to
heart
and
we
demand
that
those
who
aspire
to
administer
Istanbul
do
so
as
well.
We
unanimously
vow
to
ensure
that
local
candidates,
from
all
political
parties,
work
in
accordance
with
the
following
basic
principles.
A
NEW
INCLUSIVE
APPROACH
TO
GOVERNING
Recognition
that
participating
in
the
administration
of
our
city
is
every
individual’s
right
and
responsibility.
Commitment
by
local
officials
to
enabling
these
rights,
regardless
of
citizens’
beliefs,
identities,
political
views
or
parties,
by
creating
the
necessary
participatory
vehicles.
Local
governance
of
every
street,
every
neighborhood
and
every
county,
instead
of
by
a
central
authority.
City
administration
at
all
levels
is
committed
to
ensuring
integrity,
transparency
and
accountability.
Establishment
of
the
necessary
constitutional
and
legal
amendments
to
provide
local
authorities,
first
and
foremost,
with
access
to
financial
resources,
to
empower
them
and
to
enable
them
to
work
efficiently.
Determination
of
the
city
budget
on
all
levels
with
the
active
participation
of
the
citizens
of
Istanbul.
AS
ISTANBUL
CHANGES,
WE
NEED
TO
REDEFINE
CITIZEN
RIGHTS
The
right
to
housing,
health,
education,
transportation,
culture
and
access
to
the
city’s
resources
is
a
fundamental
human
right.
Local
authorities’
primary
responsibility
is
to
ensure
that
everyone
who
lives
in
Istanbul
has
access
to
these
resources
in
the
most
convenient
manner
and
at
minimum
cost.
Local
authorities
minimize
risks
and
hazards
to
residents
by
preparing
comprehensive
emergency
preparedness
action
plans
for
all
types
of
foreseeable
disasters
and
execute
them
accordingly.
Urban
transformation
projects
reflect
a
new
commitment
to
citizen
rights.
They
are
executed
after
considering
all
social,
cultural
and
local
fabric,
without
divesting
citizens’
property,
with
a
view
to
protecting
their
rights,
ensuring
participation
of
dwellers
and
without
displacing
anyone.
Local
authorities
provide
for
the
timely,
safe
and
secure
transportation
of
all
children,
seniors,
pedestrians,
cyclers
and
disabled
citizens
to
their
desired
destination.
Local
authorities
recognize
that
women
have
a
fundamental
right
to
freely
participate
in
the
public
sphere
without
discrimination.
Officials
have
an
obligation
to
plan
and
implement
a
wide
range
of
measures
and
incentives
that
promote
broad
participation
by
women,
enabling
them
to
engage
in
social,
cultural,
public
life
and
to
work
in
a
just
and
equal
manner.

2. Local
authorities
develop
programmes
with
the
central
government
and
civic
organizations
that
enable
all
children
to
live
in
a
healthy
and
safe
environment,
to
protect
and
support
their
rights
without
any
discrimination.
Local
authorities
ensure
the
right
of
all
citizens
to
freely
express
their
identities,
beliefs
and
culture
and
to
counter
all
forms
of
discrimination
and
violence.
Local
authorities
ensure
the
development
of
city
culture
in
the
respect
of
creativity
and
plurality.
Local
authorities
encourage
Istanbul
residents
and
non-­‐
profit
organizations
to
propose
public
projects.
Local
authorities
reserve
a
portion
of
the
municipal
budget
to
support
training,
development
and
presentation
of
all
forms
of
artistic
activity.
All
animals
that
we
share
our
city
with
have
the
right
to
live
a
healthy
and
decent
life
in
sheltered
conditions.
The
protection
of
this
right
is
among
the
fundamental
responsibilities
of
local
authorities.
REVIVE
OUR
TIES
WITH
THE
PAST:
Istanbul
is
a
world
heritage
city.
With
its
rich
natural
resources,
cultural
and
historic
assets,
it
belongs
not
only
to
the
citizens
of
Istanbul
but
to
all
humanity.
Istanbul’s
cultural
and
natural
heritage
will
be
protected
in
accordance
with
internationally
recognized
best
practices.
Authorities
have
the
obligation
to
protect
historical
sites
in
a
democratic,
informed,
pluralist
manner
that
respects
all
cultures.
The
planning
of
renovation
projects
in
historical
heritage
sites
should
take
into
consideration
the
site’s
historic
integrity,
the
socio-­‐economic
impact
of
those
living
in
the
area,
as
well
as
their
fundamental
rights:
first
and
foremost,
their
right
not
to
be
displaced.
ENVISION
A
FUTURE
TOGETHER:
Local
authorities
protect
the
seas,
forests,
water
basins,
agricultural
areas
and
all
living
beings
that
are
vital
to
Istanbul’s
present
and
future.
They
do
not
disrupt
Istanbul’s
natural
geography.
They
reject
projects
that
jeopardise
the
well-­‐being
of
Istanbul.
Parks,
ports,
coasts,
squares,
green
areas
and
military
zones,
as
well
as
all
public
property
that
we
as
the
citizens
of
Istanbul
use
or
may
use
in
the
future
cannot
be
privatised
or
opened
to
construction.
They
should
be
protected
and
reserved
for
recreational,
cultural,
artistic
and
sports
activities
by
the
city’s
inhabitants.
Local
authorities
acknowledge
the
value
of
human
capital
and
invest
in
the
development
of
labour,
knowledge
and
skills
in
all
ways.
City
plans
are
developed
through
the
broadest
participation
possible,
in
a
pluralist,
innovative
and
holistic
manner,
striking
a
balance
between
environmental
concerns
and
people’s
needs.
Innovative
solutions
are
reached
by
working
collaboratively.
City
planning
employs
a
methodology
where
the
processes
are
mutually
supportive,
from
the
developing
of
information
to
conceptualization
and
implementation,
with
continually
updated
follow-­‐up
and
assessments.
Transparency
and
accountability
are
essential
in
follow-­‐ups
and
for
monitoring
plans.

3. Local
authorities
place
the
principle
of
ecological
sustainability
at
the
centre
of
all
their
plans,
projects
and
implementations.
They
prepare
and
implement
the
necessary
infrastructure
for
environmentally
sound
development
and
consumption
practices,
recycling
and
renewable
energies.
The
impact
of
decisions
on
Istanbul
is
taken
into
consideration
by
conducting
“impact
assessment”
studies
and
the
conclusions
are
shared
with
the
residents.
We,
the
citizens
of
Istanbul,
as
the
signatories
of
this
COVENANT,
declare
that
we
shall
do
our
utmost
to
uphold
the
concept
and
methodology
of
city
administration
fostered
by
this
covenant
at
all
times
in
our
neighbourhoods,
in
our
counties
and
in
the
city
as
a
whole,
to
strive
to
have
this
approach
adopted
by
politicians
who
run
for
office
in
local
elections
and
to
monitor
the
work
carried
out
by
the
elected
officers
in
accordance
with
this
new
approach
to
governing.
http://istanbulhepimizin.org