Location and Historical Heritage of Küçükköy Transportation and Accessibility Cultural Diversity and Demographic Pattern Architectural Identity and Creative Transformation Economic Life and Infrastructure Transformation Sustainability and Social Transformation: The SENTRUM Model

Location and Historical Heritage
of Küçükköy

Küçükköy is an emerging tourism destination located in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir province. The village is situated on the coast of the Aegean Sea, just across from the island of Lesbos. The history of the settlement dates back to 1462, to the expedition of Mehmed the Conqueror to Lesbos. Formerly known as Yeniçarohori, that is, "the village of the Janissaries", Küçükköy attracts interest due to its profound historical background.

Location and Historical Heritage
of Küçükköy

The region had become a multicultural center and an art and design hub where Greeks had lived for a long time and Bosnians from the Balkans were settled in 1893 and 1913. Stone houses built by the Greeks were restored and transformed into art workshops in the village, while digital incubation centers were established for those interested in mobile applications. Hosting various festivals, the village also has a cultural center and a city museum.

Transportation and
Accessibility

Küçükköy can be easily accessed from major cities such as Izmir, Balıkesir, Bursa and Manisa by state road, while arriving from Istanbul via the connection on the Istanbul-Izmir highway would also be comfortable. Moreover, flights to Istanbul and Ankara are regularly launched from Edremit Koca Seyit Airport, which is 40 km away from the settlement.

Cultural Diversity and
Demographic Pattern

Throughout the years, Küçükköy has developed a multicultural composition due to the arrival of Greeks, followed by the settlement of the Bosnians from the Balkans in 1893 and 1913. This diversity is evident in numerous aspects, including the architecture and cultural activities held in the village.

The Transformation Began
in Küçükköy, Ayvalık

There are nearly 400 stone houses, three churches and three monasteries that stand out with the Greek architecture in Küçükköy. These structures have been renovated to their original appearances and repurposed as museums, galleries and art workshops. Many of the stone houses from the ancient Greeks have been converted into art- and design-oriented production centers, and digital incubation areas, the city museum and cultural centers were built. Thus, a creative transformation process has been initiated in the village, while the architectural heritage of the village is preserved.

Economic Life and
Infrastructure Transformation

The local population of Küçükköy relies mainly on tourism, animal husbandry and agricultural activities. Olive farming dominates the agricultural activities in the region. While 80% of the locals engaged in agriculture are focused on olive production, 20% are involved in grain cultivation.

Economic Life and
Infrastructure Transformation

Infrastructure investments that support the economic life in the village have also been implemented to secure the sustainability of these income-generating resources.

Economic Life and
Infrastructure Transformation

• Tourism businesses were supported for energy efficiency.

• Solar power systems were installed in public buildings.

• High-speed EV charging stations were put into use.

• Necmi Komili School was converted into a 'Net Zero Energy Building'.

• Nature- and energy-themed cycling and hiking routes were established.

These investments have enhanced the region's environmental and economic resilience.

Sustainability and Social Transformation:
The SENTRUM Model

The SENTRUM Green Destination Model, which was introduced in the 2021-2022 timeframe, has the goal to bring about a transformation to Küçükköy by enhancing its physical attributes alongside its social and cultural aspects. This model presented a sustainable development approach that considered the significance of balancing nature, culture, and society.

Ayvalık, Küçükköy

Küçükköy is a developing tourism destination in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir province. The history of the settlement dates back to 1462, when Küçükköy was formerly known as Yeniçarohori/Yeniçarhion (Novičarohori in Bosnian), that is, "the village of the Janissaries", since Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the island of Lesbos and had the Janissaries settle on the island.

SENTRUM With Cem Seymen For A Better Future

The Transformation Journey of Küçükköy

Küçükköy consists of approximately 400 stone houses, 3 churches, 3 monasteries, where Greek architecture dominates, and the renovated buildings that maintain their original architectural identity serve as museums, galleries and art workshops. The livelihood of people in the region depends on tourism, animal husbandry and agricultural products. Among those who are engaged in agriculture, 80% are engaged in olive cultivation and 20% are engaged in grain products.

Küçükköy has also taken significant steps in terms of becoming a green destination. In order to develop a destination where cultural and natural assets are protected, energy is consumed efficiently, renewable energy practices are carried out, waste is separated, tourism is available for all 4 seasons, technology meets art, and the welfare of people of the region improves, Enerjisa Enerji, in collaboration with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Sabancı University, launched SENTRUM-Green Destination Model in Küçükköy as a pilot project.

THE REPORTS PREPARED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

1. Global Green Destination Standards and Global Examples of Good Practice

2. Global Green Destination Standards and Global Examples of Good Practice

3. Küçükköy Environmentally Friendly Transportation Systems Strategy and Roadmap

4. Küçükköy-Green Destination Model

5. Küçükköy-Green Destination Model

Ayvalık, Küçükköy

SENTRUM With Cem Seymen For A Better Future

The Transformation Journey of Küçükköy

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