Sustainable Campus Buildings and Planning Standards

Since its establishment, Özyeğin University has positioned sustainability as a core institutional priority and embedded environmental responsibility into its founding strategy. Campus development at ÖzU follows internationally recognized sustainability principles, ensuring that environmental performance, long-term efficiency, and community impact are considered at every stage of planning and construction.
To date, three major campus buildings have been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, reflecting high performance in energy efficiency, water management, indoor environmental quality, sustainable materials, and waste reduction. These certifications provide independent, third-party verification of ÖzU’s commitment to sustainable building standards.
The AB3 building, also known as the School of Languages (ScOLa), is recognized as one of the most energy-efficient academic buildings in Türkiye. The building’s total energy consumption is approximately 20% of that of a conventional academic building, representing a substantial reduction in energy demand and associated carbon emissions over its lifecycle.

ScOLa was developed within the framework of the NEED4B (New Energy Efficiency Demonstration for Buildings) project, co-financed by the European Union under its 7th Framework Programme. With a total project budget of €1.3 million, NEED4B stands among the largest EU-funded energy efficiency projects awarded to a Turkish university. The project was led by ÖzU’s Center of Energy, Environment and Economy (CEEE) and implemented in collaboration with international partners, demonstrating ÖzU’s active engagement in cross-border sustainability research and innovation.
ÖzU’s Environmental Policy explicitly states that the campus hosts green and sustainable buildings and that all new buildings are required to comply with environmentally friendly design and construction principles, ensuring that sustainability standards are consistently applied in future campus expansion and redevelopment projects.

Sustainable Commuting and Pedestrian-First Campus Design

Özyeğin University actively supports low-carbon mobility and sustainable commuting practices for both employees and students. Free shuttle services are provided to all employees, reducing reliance on private vehicles for daily commuting. Students benefit from subsidized shuttle services operating from multiple locations across Istanbul, increasing access to public and shared transportation options.
In addition, ÖzU operates a regular ring shuttle service connecting the campus to the nearest metro station, strengthening integration with public transport networks and further reducing private car usage. To encourage shared mobility, the University provides a digital carpooling platform through My ÖzU, enabling students and staff to organize shared rides and lower per-capita emissions.
The campus itself is designed according to a pedestrian-priority model. There are no internal car roads within the campus, and all internal circulation is based on walking. This design approach enhances accessibility, safety, air quality, and overall well-being, while also contributing to reduced noise pollution and emissions.

Remote Working Practices

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Özyeğin University transitioned thousands of academic and administrative staff to remote working arrangements to ensure continuity of operations and protect public health. Following more than one year of successful implementation, selected departments institutionalized remote or hybrid working models where operationally appropriate.
This approach has contributed to long-term reductions in commuting-related emissions, increased organizational resilience, and improved work-life balance, aligning institutional operations with sustainability and social well-being objectives.

Affordable Housing for Employees

Özyeğin University supports employee well-being and social sustainability through targeted housing solutions. Limited on-campus housing is provided free of charge, primarily for staff relocating to Türkiye. The University also operates a Guest House designed for short-term stays, which includes 18 fully furnished faculty apartments (8 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units).
Beyond on-campus accommodation, ÖzU provides monthly rental support to nearly 300 employees each year, directly contributing to housing affordability and staff retention, particularly in a metropolitan context with high living costs.

Affordable Housing for Students

On-campus student housing at ÖzU is designed to ensure affordability, inclusiveness, and quality of life. Dormitories offer single, double, triple, and quad room options, all with private bathrooms and in-room refrigerators. Housing facilities include free laundry rooms, group study areas, lounges, guest reception rooms, TV rooms, cafeterias, mini-markets, food and beverage outlets, an infirmary, and ATMs.
All dormitories are equipped with 24/7 security systems, continuous hot water supply, emergency medical access, and campus-wide wireless internet. In addition, housing scholarships are offered based on academic merit, ensuring that financial need does not limit access to safe and high-quality accommodation.

When compared with prevailing private rental and shared housing prices in Istanbul, Özyeğin University’s dormitory fees remain comparatively low, providing students with a financially accessible housing option within a high-cost metropolitan environment.
Public and Community Access to Campus Facilities
Özyeğin University adopts an open-campus approach that supports community engagement and shared use of educational and cultural resources. Public access is provided to campus buildings, green areas, and open spaces, subject to prior notification, allowing community members to benefit from campus infrastructure.

The Özyeğin University Library, covering 2,270 m² across three floors, functions as a center for learning, research, and public engagement. With extensive physical and digital collections, audiovisual materials, and advanced study technologies, the library is open to public users, supporting lifelong learning and knowledge dissemination beyond the university community.

Arts, Culture, and Public Engagement

ÖzU hosts a significant Art Collection, established through a generous donation by the Özyeğin Family. The collection focuses primarily on works by young artists working in Türkiye, with an acquisition policy that extends to Turkish and regional artists from the twentieth century to the present.
All artworks are displayed throughout campus buildings and are freely accessible to the public, integrating art into everyday campus life. The entire collection is also made available online via art.ozyegin.edu.tr, extending access to a broader audience and supporting the digital preservation of cultural assets.
In addition, Özyeğin University regularly organizes public exhibitions, academic seminars, cultural events, and competitions, coordinated by various academic and administrative units. These activities are free of charge and open to the public, reinforcing ÖzU’s role as an inclusive educational, cultural, and social actor within its local and regional community.