Istanbul’s Mobility Transition: From Vision to Implementation in Europe’s Largest Metropolis

Istanbul is the most populous city in Europe and one of the world’s most densely populated metropolitan regions. Home to nearly 16 million people, the city faces both the immense pressures and transformative opportunities, which in their transformation can be a blueprint for other growing cities.  

Positioned between Europe and Asia, Istanbul operates within planning traditions aligned with European frameworks while navigating rapid growth dynamics typical of emerging megacities. This dual context makes it a uniquely fertile environment for implementing and adapting sustainable mobility concepts in ways that are both globally inspired yet locally grounded. 

By becoming the first city in Türkiye to adopt a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) in 2022, Istanbul has laid out a clear roadmap toward a low-carbon, inclusive, and resilient mobility system. The challenge now lies in implementation and in ensuring that strategic plans translate into measurable impact on the ground. 

A Complex Urban Mobility Landscape 

Istanbul’s geography alone adds significant complexity to mobility planning. Divided by the Bosphorus and shaped by steep topography, protected northern forests, and rapid peripheral expansion, the city must constantly balance accessibility, environmental protection, and infrastructure investment. 

Transport planning has a long history in Istanbul; however, previous transport plans largely prioritised traffic management and capacity expansion through major road and rail projects.  

The SUMP marked a departure from this model. 

Rather than focusing primarily on movement and infrastructure supply, the SUMP places people, accessibility, and public participation at the centre of planning, with the aim of improving overall quality of life. Its vision reflects not only environmental ambition but also a strong social dimension. 

“An inclusive and innovative transport system, focusing on people and the environment, providing the right mix of safe, integrated, accessible and affordable mobility alternatives, compatible with the unique geography and historical values of Istanbul for a sustainable and resilient future.” 

A Megacity in Motion 

Every day, Istanbul records more than 30 million trips, reflecting both its scale and role as a national and regional economic hub.  

Walking accounts for around 40% of trips, highlighting the importance of active mobility in Istanbul. However, the city’s dense urban fabric and steep terrain pose challenges for expanding cycling as a functional mode of transport rather than primarily a leisure activity. Infrastructure adaptation and the integration of electric bicycles are key to overcoming these challenges. 

Public transport represents around 30% of daily trips, supported by a growing rail network, high-capacity metrobus corridors, buses, trams, and maritime transport. Despite these assets, spatial inequalities persist as residents in peripheral districts often experience longer travel times and reduced access to high-quality, sustainable services. At the same time, private vehicle use remains significant and rising motorisation continues to intensify congestion and emissions.  

Priority Areas for Improvement 

Istanbul’s SUMP identified 26 priority projects aligned with the city’s Climate Change Action Plan. Transport accounts for roughly one quarter of Istanbul’s greenhouse gas emissions, with road vehicles responsible for nearly all of the sector’s footprint. Addressing this requires structural transformation like rail expansion, fleet electrification, modal shift, and integrated monitoring frameworks. 

Some key objectives include:  

• Expanding the rail network to more than 800 km by 2040, nearly tripling its current size. 

• Increasing the modal share of rail from 24.6% to over 47%. 

• 200–250 km of additional cycling corridors, designed to integrate cycling into the transport network and directly connected to public transport hubs. 

• Achieving a 94% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and full carbon neutrality by 2050. 

• Establishing Low Emission Zones in central districts. 

Strengthening Multimodality, Active Mobility and Inclusion 

Through their SUMP, Istanbul recognized that mobility extends beyond infrastructure. It links transport policy with social inclusion, public health, and economic opportunity, while integrating mitigation and adaptation within a unified framework. 

Improving system integration remains central: better connections between rail, bus, maritime transport, walking, cycling, micromobility, and cars are essential in a city physically divided by waterways and shaped by complex terrain. 

Equally important is ensuring affordability for low-income households and underrepresented groups. Enhancing accessibility for elderly residents and persons with disabilities is another key priority, particularly in a dense and topographically varied urban environment. 

The Role of Global Partnerships 

Transforming mobility at this scale requires collaboration. As a megacity navigating congestion, rapid urbanisation, complex governance structures, and ambitious climate targets, Istanbul offers valuable experience for other metropolitan regions. 

Through engagement with global networks on sustainable mobility, the city aims to strengthen institutional capacity, deepen knowledge exchange, and accelerate project delivery. 

Looking Ahead 

As the first Turkish city to adopt a SUMP, Istanbul has positioned itself at the forefront of a broader national shift toward integrated, people-centred mobility planning. 

Istanbul’s SUMP sets out a clear pathway toward a more connected, equitable, and low-carbon future. The city has entered the implementation phase, and the priority now lies in coordinating institutions, securing financing, strengthening data systems, and delivering projects at scale.  

In a city where Europe and Asia meet, where dense historic neighbourhoods coexist with expanding suburbs, and where millions of journeys take place each day, sustainable mobility is more than a technical challenge. It is central to quality of life, climate resilience, and economic vitality and will resonate far beyond its city borders.