Istanbul has a population exceeding 16 million, making it Europe’s largest city and one of the biggest urban centres in the world. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the city has a unique cultural and geographical significance.
The city's rapid population growth and urbanisation have brought sustainability challenges, among which air pollution, traffic congestion, and inadequate waste management. Water scarcity, due to increasing demand and climate change, is also a pressing issue. The city already took many steps and developed the first Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) of Türkiye and the first global SUMP for a mega city, opening a new chapter in the city's development with the aim of improving quality of life for all.
Today they join the ICLEI network to understand the challenges that other cities face, learn about their sustainability strategies and best practices, and reach new project partnerships to keep improving. By doing so, they are proud to pass the milestone of becoming ICLEI Europe's 200th Member, marking an exciting step in their commitment to sustainable urban development.
The Istanbul Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) marks a milestone as the first of its kind in Türkiye and the first global SUMP for a mega city. Developed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) in collaboration with Arup between September 2019 and March 2022, the project was part of the Global Future Cities Programme (GFCP), led by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with UN-Habitat. Istanbul's SUMP seeks to enhance the quality of life by prioritising people, accessibility, and public engagement in urban transport planning.
Transport planning in Istanbul has traditionally focused on infrastructure-heavy master plans aimed at increasing capacity for trips. The Istanbul SUMP represents a paradigm shift, aligning with EU standards to emphasise sustainable transport solutions that reduce car dependency and its associated challenges, such as emissions, noise pollution, and accidents. The plan focuses on fostering walking, cycling, and public transport, with inclusivity and equity as core principles.
The Istanbul SUMP process involved extensive preparation, including demographic and governance analysis, stakeholder engagement, and social inclusion assessments. Objectives and measurable indicators were established, with scenarios developed collaboratively by IMM and stakeholders. Projects were prioritised using international best practices and a mix of quantitative and qualitative appraisals. To support its implementation, the IMM developed a governance structure and a capacity-building programme, featuring workshops, training sessions, and studies on data management and integration. Despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, 134 of 255 identified stakeholders actively participated through surveys, workshops, and focus groups across four stages and 24 online sessions. This robust participation ensured the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the planning process.
Read the full SUMP & report here.
"Climate action is incomplete without social justice.
Let’s advocate for inclusive, multilevel governance that aligns with our goals."
Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul
and President of Union of Municipalities of Türkiye
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