The objective of this study was to assess the impact of major urban projects implemented between 2019 and 2023 within the Ordu Metropolitan Area. The Impact Assessment (IA) represents a formal, evidence-based methodology designed to evaluate the potential economic, social, and environmental effects of municipal projects.

Additionally, one of the cores aims of this study was to evaluate the overall performance of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality during the 2019–2023 period and to measure the municipality’s progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key indicators assessed included citizen satisfaction, progress toward SDG targets, and the added value generated for the city through implemented projects.

The findings of this study provided valuable insights to guide future planning and implementation efforts, supporting Ordu Municipality’s strategic advancement toward urban sustainability and social well-being.

Main Components of the Study

This comprehensive study consisted of two main components:

1. Project Impact Assessment
2. Municipal Financial Creditworthiness Evaluation

1. Project Impact Assessment

The first component focused on assessing the impact of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality’s activities between 2019 and 2023. The key stages of this component included:

• Preliminary Analysis: A comprehensive inventory and classification of all projects implemented during the period were developed to serve as a foundation for subsequent analyses.
• Citizen Satisfaction Survey: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to measure citizens’ satisfaction with municipal projects executed between 2019 and 2023. The results indicated that the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality successfully implemented forward-looking projects and strengthened the mutual trust between citizens and municipal authorities.
• Sustainability Evaluation Using SDG Framework: Utilizing the United Nations SDG assessment tool, the performance and alignment of implemented projects with sustainable development objectives were evaluated. The assessment revealed that the municipality’s projects effectively contributed to six SDGs, including Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Poverty Reduction, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Sustainable Economic Growth.

High-impact projects identified under this framework included:

• Active Carbon Project
• Electricity Generation from Waste
• Polyethylene Production
• Potable Water Supply Network Development
• Urban Sewerage Systems
• Establishment of the Social Market Initiative

• Estimation of City Value Added: The added value generated by municipal projects was quantified using financial and socio-economic indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), Social Return on Investment (SROI), and the Contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
• Strategic Planning and Recommendations: Finally, a five-year strategic roadmap and a set of policy recommendations were developed to guide the municipality’s future investments and enhance decision-making efficiency.

2. Municipal Financial Creditworthiness Evaluation

The second component of the study aimed to conduct a comprehensive economic, financial, operational, and organizational analysis of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality in order to assess its creditworthiness and financial capacity for future project financing and investment.

This component included the following analytical steps:

• Regional Economic Profiling: A detailed analysis of the regional economic structure and development policies was carried out to identify potential investment opportunities and assess the overall economic outlook of the region.
• Municipal Financial Stability Assessment: Financial stability was identified as a key determinant of borrowing capacity and debt repayment ability. Accordingly, the current financial status of the municipality and its affiliated entities was thoroughly reviewed.
• Financial Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis: The financial analysis identified key strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement, providing a basis for informed decision-making regarding future financing options.
• Economic and Financial Correlation Analysis: In addition to presenting detailed financial data, the study analyzed trends and causal relationships among economic and financial indicators to deliver a holistic understanding of the municipality’s fiscal performance.

Upon completion of all economic and financial analyses, a Comprehensive Creditworthiness Report was prepared, presenting the final conclusions on the credit rating and investment eligibility of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality for future development projects.