SUMP Izmir was presented at the Transport Research Arena (TRA) in Dublin. In a presentation by Urban Mobility Consultant Geert Koops, the project was briefly introduced before the presentation focused on the citizen engagement within the project. The idea of taking SUMPs to the streets was presented as an example to the international audience. The innovative way of approaching citizens beyond the usual suspects got the attention of many policy makers, who potentially could transfer this idea to their own cities one day.
Last week the participants from different departments of IMM had a 3-day training on (Urban Vehicle Access Regulations) UVAR and LEZ (Low Emission Zones). The first day was guided by the Prof. Dr. Renan Funda Barbaros Özay (Ege University) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Menevis Uzbay Pirili (Yasar University). During this day, the participants learnt about the importance of caring for nature, understanding the link between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing climate change, leveraging clean energy in Türkiye, and adopting practical eco-friendly practices like reducing carbon footprints. The second day, led by the expert Lucy Sadler (Sadler Consultants) presented the rationale for adopting low or zero emission vehicles, highlighted various European UVAR regulations, outlined the necessary steps to implement a LEZ in Izmir and explained the role of such regulations in achieving climate neutrality.
After the opening of the Çiğli Tram, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will open the Narlıdere Metro on February 24. According to prepared report, with the opening of the line that will connect Evka 3 and Narlıdere, approximately 13,500 trips made by private vehicles throughout the city every day will shift to public transportation. 7,750 vehicles will be prevented from entering traffic.
As the only local government to make all metro investments in the city with its own resources, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is counting the days for the opening of the Narlıdere Metro, which will connect Bornova Evka-3 and Narlıdere. Preparations for the February 24 opening ceremony are in full speed, and it is expected to reduce the number of trips made by private vehicles across the city, especially in Balçova and Narlıdere, once the line is put into service.
7,750 vehicles are expected to be withdrawn from traffic
A survey was conducted in Izmir city center within the scope of SUMP Izmir Project (Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) carried out by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Transportation. According to the results of the household survey, it was observed that the rate of private car use in Balçova and Narlıdere districts was higher than the city as a whole. This rate was determined as 46.7 percent in Balçova and 58.3 percent in Narlıdere. The opening of the line and its effects were tested in the demand forecasting model made within the scope of the Transportation Master Plan. According to the analysis, with the opening of the metro line between Fahrettin Altay and Narlıdere, it is estimated that approximately 13,500 daily trips made by private vehicles in the city will shift to public transportation, thus reducing the daily traffic load of approximately 7,750 vehicles. This relief in traffic will largely be seen in Narlıdere and Balçova, but will also have an impact on traffic in the city as a whole. In addition, it is planned that passengers will be able to park their vehicles and transfer thanks to the parking lot with a capacity of 219 vehicles built at Balçova and Kaymakamlık stops.
170,000 daily passengers
Starting from Evka-3 and ending at Fahrettin Altay, the line will include Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Güzel Sanatlar, Narlıdere, Şehitlik and Kaymakamlık stations, respectively. Tunneling and track laying works have been completed. A total of 14.5 kilometers of tunnels were opened. Electromechanical works are ongoing along the line and at the stations. The daily average number of passengers is expected to be 170,000 when the line is opened.
€285 million investment
Izmir Light Rail System 4th Stage F. Altay-Narlıdere Kaymakamlık Construction Work was delivered to the contractor on June 4, 2018 with a contract price of €252 million. This cost reached 285 million Euros with the increase in exploration. With the completion of the line, a total of 27 kilometers of uninterrupted rail transportation service will be provided between Bornova district in the north of Izmir and Narlıdere district in the south. Izmir residents will have safe, comfortable, environmentally friendly and economical rail transportation and will save time. Passengers boarding at one end will reach the other end in 45 minutes. The length of the highway between the two ends is approximately 47 kilometers.
One of the last SUMP trainings of 2023 was Blue and Green Corridors. Conducted one day online and two days face-to-face with Prof. Dr. Ralf Brand, this training addresses nature-based mobility planning in Izmir. The underlying idea is that a greener city makes active mobility more attractive and the city more resilient.
As climate adaptation becomes more important, the space allocated to transportation needs to be able to withstand higher temperatures and more rainfall. During the training participants learned to apply nature-based concepts (e.g. sponge city), and how they can transform neighborhoods and streets. The training was participated by 30 personnel from 12 different departments such as Transportation Planning, Non-Disabled Izmir, IZSU and Parks and Gardens.
An important aspect of this training, which was the sixth of 18 Capacity Building Trainings conducted under the SUMP Izmir project, was how to effectively communicate street transformations to the public using applications such as visuals generated by artificial intelligence.
Longer distance with less effort!
Izmir’s e-bike sharing system ‘Tripy’ was introduced to the citizens of Izmir on January 22, 2024 with the participation of Mayor of Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer and Head of Transportation Department Kadir Efe Oruç.
Mayor Tunç Soyer stated, ‘We are leaving our mark on Izmir’s today and future with this system, which is a revolution in daily transportation in the city.
This new alternative is presented as a solution for urban transportation, with a sustainable and green approach to overcome the climate crisis and drought. The project aims to change the perception of transportation in Izmir by enabling citizens to meet their long-distance daily transportation needs more easily by bicycle with less effort.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will provide scholarships to 8 university students within the scope of the SUMP Izmir project, which is carried out with the European Union with the goal of sustainable transportation and zero carbon by 2050. The deadline for the scholarships called “Young Ambassadors” is November 27.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will provide project scholarships to university students who will contribute to sustainable transportation within the scope of Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which is carried out with the European Union (EU). In order for the SUMP Izmir project, which is carried out by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Transportation, to be adopted by the younger generation and for the sustainable transportation habits of young people, 8 university students who meet the criteria will be entitled to receive scholarships. The scholarships will start on December 1, 2023 and will last for 6 months.
Contribution to a sustainable future
The scholars will be responsible for participating in project activities once a week at the İZQ building, designing and conducting SUMPİzmir promotion and information activities at universities, taking part in citizen information activities, creating monthly progress reports on the work carried out, conducting and reporting research on topics to be determined by the administration within the scope of the project.
Application deadline is November 27
Scholars will be selected among undergraduate or graduate students from different fields of specialization that can contribute to the project, especially architecture, urban and regional planning, industrial engineering, industrial design, etc. departments from universities in Izmir. Applications can be made to sumpizmir@izmir.bel.tr until Monday, November 27, 2023, 17.00. The application e-mail shall include a current student certificate and transcript, at least 2 letters of reference, and an individual letter of intent regarding the contribution that can be provided to the project. While it is not a problem to attach letters of reference to the e-mail attachment, scholars are expected to speak English at B2-C1 level.
All applications will be evaluated by SUMP Izmir Project Team Leader Prof. Dr. Ashraf Hamed, Head of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Department Kadir Efe Oruç, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Planning Branch Director Demet Burçin Gezgin, SUMP Izmir Project Coordinator Hamidreza Yazdani, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Planning Unit Chief Müge Ilgaz Yolcu.
Initiated in line with the zero carbon objective by 2030, SUMP Izmir stepped out on the streets for the future of the city. Citizen forums identified Izmir’s sustainable transportation route, and awareness was raised on carbon emissions and environmentally friendly transportation vehicles in Kültürpark.
As part of the Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (EU Support to Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan-SUMP Izmir), implemented by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with the European Union (EU), citizens discussed Izmir’s sustainable transportation goals for three days. Within the scope of “SUMP Izmir on the Street” activities organized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Transportation, forums were held in Buca and Karşıyaka, and a series of awareness raising activities were organized in Kültürpark.
On the last day of the program, awareness raising and morale activities were held in Kültürpark. The event was attended by Kadir Efe Oruç, Head of Transportation Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality; Neptün Soyer, President of S.S. Izmir Village Coop Union; Selda Susal Saatçi, Anadolu Efes Group Corporate Communications and Relations Director; Turkey’s leading social media influencers, content producers, travel writers, university students, NGO representatives and many citizens.
Awareness event with 24 cars
Awareness was raised for carbon footprint with 24 cars, 24 bicycles and 1 bus brought to Kültürpark. In the event, the space occupied in traffic by 24 passengers traveling in separate cars, a single bus and 24 separate bicycles was demonstrated while drawing attention to the carbon emissions of vehicles. A painting activity describing the carbon footprint was organized on the floor of Kültürpark by the participants of the event. Afterwards, the bicycles brought to the area were painted to the delight of the participants. Citizens accompanied the bicycle painting activity with their own bicycles.
“Being a partner to the problem is as valuable as solving the problem”
Kadir Efe Oruç, Head of Transportation Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, said: “In Izmir, these studies are carried out within the scope of the preparation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan. We refer to this as SUMP for short. We are carrying out this work with a very large team. We have tried to make analyses from many places on how we can ensure transportation and mobility in the long term for Izmir. We try to support our data with additional citizen forums. We had a participation of approximately 500 people in the citizen forums.”
“We are working to achieve our zero carbon objective”
Kadir Efe Oruç said, “Izmir is a pioneering city in Turkey with its sustainable and clean energy resources and transportation infrastructure. It is a promising city in Turkey with its bicycle paths, sea and rail transportation. The vision of our Mayor Tunç Soyer is in a position to lead us to a much better future. We are working to achieve our zero carbon targets in 2030 and 2050 with projects such as Buca Metro, Narlıdere Metro, Çiğli Tram, new rail system projects, bicycle paths, electric passenger ferries.”
“We need to be part of President Soyer’s signature for zero carbon”
The President of Izmir Village Coop Union, Neptün Soyer, who participated in the events and supported awareness raising activities for a sustainable future together with young people, said: “It is very important to have signed international agreements to reduce carbon emissions to zero in 2030 and 2050 under the leadership of Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer. This signature of Tunç Soyer, the Mayor of Izmir, is a signature that we should actually be in with the citizens. That is what we are trying to explain. We have university students. That’s the best thing. It is very valuable for people of that age group, with that awareness, to contribute. Today, we have seen together the space occupied by cars and bicycles in relation to the number of passengers carried by a bus. As we look at it, we see how much we have narrowed our living spaces in life and how little space we have left to breathe. That is what we are trying to explain.” she added.
“Izmir has a transportation vision that improves itself”
Neptün Soyer said, “Today I learned that Izmir is a city that can walk over 40 percent when we see the modal split. Izmir is a really walkable city. It is up to us to increase this percentage. So I am very happy to be here today. In Izmir, you can easily use the metro within the city. It is possible to get to Alsancak by taking the IZBAN, which operates from Aliağa to Selçuk and the airport. From Alsancak, you can either walk or take the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s transportation vehicles to anywhere in Izmir. In this sense, Izmir has a transportation vision that really improves itself and catches up with the international agenda.”
“Bicycle transportation is very easy in Izmir”
Stating that bicycle transportation is a part of life in Izmir, Neptün Soyer said, “Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is expanding and developing its system together with the public. Sometimes İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer’s cycling is perceived as a fantasy. I find it very surprising. I will never forget the happiness of the bicycle I received as a report card gift when I started secondary school. So cycling is an important thing. It’s not just a hobby. You can use it on your way to work, school and in all areas of daily life. Bicycle transportation is very easy in Izmir and we have a local government that supports this.”
“Izmir is far ahead in sustainable transportation”
Chef Serpilay Salkım, who participated in the events for awareness-raising activities, said: “I have visited many cities; I can easily say that Izmir is far ahead of other cities in sustainable transportation especially with its trams and bicycle paths. There is also a positive thing about Alsancak. I can leave the car and get around by metro, tram, bus and my own scooter. If we have a concern for our future, we should all reduce our carbon footprint and switch to electric vehicles and public transportation.”
“I applaud Izmir’s sustainable projects wholeheartedly”
Expert Dietitian Betül Karakuş said, “It is very promising to highlight sustainable transportation and to increase environmentally friendly transportation. It is also our role to publicize these activities. I use the tram between my home and workplace and I share this every day. In addition to this, I am now thinking of including bicycles in my life for sustainable transportation. I wholeheartedly applaud Izmir’s sustainable projects. I thank our president for this. We encounter sustainability everywhere. Especially the public transportation network has a very important part in sustainable transportation. I think Izmir will be a pioneer in this regard.”
“Implementation of the SUMP concept is crucial for livable cities”
Anadolu Efes Group’s Corporate Communications and Relations Director Selda Susal Saatçi, who contributed to SUMP by granting 24 bicycles, said: “When we talk about transportation, we see that it has an important share in the carbon emissions of countries. Therefore, I think the implementation of the SUMP concept is important to create cleaner societies for cities and more livable cities for people. Creating social benefit and creating people-oriented value are also very important in Anadolu Efes’ 2030 sustainability goals. We are very happy to take part in this project. Izmir has a very special position for us. This is where we established our first factory, so our roots go back to this city. It is very precious for us.”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality addresses the future of Izmir with citizens for sustainable transportation with a participatory democracy approach. On June 20 – 23, citizen forums will be organized in Buca and Karşıyaka with the slogan “SUMP Izmir on the Street”. A series of awareness-raising events will be held in Kültürpark.
The Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (EU Support to Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan-SUMP Izmir) project, which is carried out by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with the European Union (EU), is reaching out to the streets for the active participation of citizens in sustainable transportation. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Transportation will organize events with the slogan “SUMP Izmir on the Street” between June 20 – 23. During the activities, ideas will be shared on how the future of Izmir will be shaped by the work to be done to create a sustainable transportation system.
Citizen forums in Buca and Karşıyaka
The first of the forums, in which all citizens can participate, will be held on Tuesday, June 20 in Buca Hasanağa Park. The Karşıyaka Citizen Forum will be held on Wednesday, June 21 between 14.00-20.00 at the square where Karşıyaka Atatürk Monument is located.
Awareness activities for sustainable transportation in Kültürpark
Within the scope of “SUMP Izmir on the Street” events, a series of awareness activities will be organized in Kültürpark from June 19 to June 23. In order to increase the visibility of the project, an awareness and moral work will be held in Kültürpark on Thursday, June 22 with the participation of famous social media influencers, travel writers and content creators. Within the scope of the awareness-raising study, there will be a study on the area occupied by bus-automobile-bicycle-scooter-pedestrian transportation modes in traffic and how much traffic and emissions will decrease if sustainable transportation modes are chosen for urban trips. Within the scope of the events, many activities such as floor painting and bicycle painting will be organized in Kültürpark.
Within the scope of Izmir Sustainable Urban Transportation Plan (SUMPİzmir), which is carried out by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in cooperation with the European Union, Move to the Future Stakeholder Engagement workshops have started. As part of the workshop, Izmir’s current mobility situation was analyzed in order to build the sustainable city of the future.
“Move to the Future” workshops within the scope of the Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (EU Supportto Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan-SUMP Izmir), implemented by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with the European Union (EU), started with the 1st Stakeholder Engagement Workshop. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özuslu, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Head of Transportation Department Kadir Efe Oruç, representatives of public institutions and organizations and non-governmental organizations, academicians, students and board representatives attended the workshop held at IzQ Innovation Center.
“We will build the Izmir of the future together”
In his opening speech at the workshop, Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özuslu said, “We have a mayor who is working hard to make Izmir a more livable city and to ensure that people in Izmir can move freely. With the SUMPİzmir support project, we are trying to contribute to sustainability in the city through safer, cleaner, accessible and more affordable mobility. We will work to include Izmir in the common transportation vision. For a better quality of life, we need to properly assess the mobility needs of people in cities. For this we need the active participation of citizens. This public cooperation should be people-oriented. With this workshop, we will see what the Izmir of the future should look like with a transparent and joint participatory approach. Participation and entrepreneurship are words that we need so much. Two heads are better than one. With your valuable ideas, we will determine how we will move forward.”
Izmir’s current mobility situation analyzed
After the opening speech, a presentation titled “Sustainable Mobility in Izmir” was made. The presentation provided information about Izmir’s investments and activities for sustainable transportation. Information was exchanged on the development of existing activities, the creation of new transportation projects and the road map to be carried out. Current mobility situation in Izmir was analyzed.
As part of the project, a total of three stakeholder engagement workshops and two citizen information meetings will be held to involve stakeholders and the public in the Izmir Common Transport Vision process. Following the meetings that will continue next year, the Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan will be announced at the closing event in July 2024.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will provide scholarships and professional experience to 10 university students who will increase urban mobility and develop transportation infrastructure in harmony with nature as part of the SUMP Izmir Project.
In the SUMP Izmir Project initiated by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to realize a sustainable transportation, 10 university students have been assigned as “Project Scholars” by being included in the SUMP Izmir Project team. The project is being carried out with a grant of €3,192,000, which was obtained by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality as part of the Turkey-European Union Financial Cooperation, with the aim of enabling young people to efficiently change their sustainable transportation habits and pass them on to the future. The activities carried out under the slogan “Move to the Future” aim to meet mobility needs for a better quality of life.
65 students from 20 universities were evaluated
For the project scholarship, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Transportation corporate LinkedIn and SUMPİzmir social media accounts were used to inform about the process. The CVs and letters of intent of 65 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from 20 different universities from all over Turkey were collected. The applications were evaluated by Kadir Efe Oruç, Head of Transportation Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality; Dr. Özlem Taşkın Erten, SUMP Izmir Project Manager; Hamidreza Yazdani, SUMP Izmir Project Coordinator; Attorney Utku Kılınç, Legal Coordinator of the Department of Transportation; and the project’s consortium (MuCosulting). The evaluations were based on four criteria: graduate status, department of graduation, computer programs and language skills. Students who have studied or are studying in the relevant departments of universities; who have experience and/or research work in this field; who have master’s and/or doctoral experience; who are fluent in one or more foreign languages; who clearly express their professional vision in their letter of intent; and who are actually located in Izmir during the fellowship period, as the project work will be carried out in Izmir, are eligible to be included in the scholarship program. Based on the evaluations, 10 noble members of the SUMP Izmir Project Young Scholars were determined.
Experience and support
Of the 10 noble members, 4 were assigned as the research team and 6 as the collaborative team. Those who will take part in the research team will gain experience by participating in project work for 8 hours a day, once a week, and will receive a monthly scholarship of 3,500 TL. Those in the collaborative team will participate in the project work on a daily basis and will receive a scholarship of 500 TL per activity.
Winners of the scholarship
The names of SUMP Izmir scholarship recipients are as follows;
Miray Aslan and Gökçe Demircan from Dokuz Eylül University,
Elia Odabaşı from Ege University
Halil İbrahim Hatun and Zafer Yılmaz from Izmir Bakırçay University
Meryem Nalbant and Hüseyin Kırcı from Izmir Demokrasi University
Melisa Kılıç from Izmir Katip Çelebi University
Fulya Çubukçuoğlu and Fahime Ebania from Izmir Institute of Technology