Eskişehir, Known as Turkey's College Town, Prepares its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan

The rapid change and transformation of the world with the unpredictable urban growth brought on by densely populated cities of the last century have given rise to many social, environmental, economic and political problems. Although the city administrations want to solve issues such as climate change, increasing energy consumption, increasing poverty, and a lack of financing, these issues are usually handled one by one. This approach leads to solutions that yield low integration and short-term effects, thus creating problems in accessing and implementing long-term solutions.

Eskişehir has developed around the shores of the Porsuk River from a single centre. and there is an industrial zone in the southeastern part of the city. Urban workspaces occupy a large land area. Residential areas located in the northern part of the city centre have been spreading towards the northwest in recent years. Accordingly, the direction of the urban mobility during the day is from northwest to southeast. Universities are located in the south and north of the city.

Eskişehir is also known as a college town due to the large student population studying at the universities in the city. The city has a low rural population and immigration to the city centre is high. Eskişehir prioritises pedestrian transportation, and, generally, this approach is being maintained as the basis for the plans. Thus, there are tram lines in the city centre but narrow roads and the intersection of tram lines and roads cause traffic jams.

The concept of Sustainable Cities, developed with the aim of contributing to the solution of problems with a focus on cities and their environments, allows us to see urban ecosystems from a broader perspective and to analyse different aspects in a more holistic way for long-term solutions.

In this context, Eskişehir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) is being prepared with a participatory approach to increase sustainable urban mobility, adopt an environmentalist approach to transportation, and contribute to safe and high-quality urban life. Questionnaires were given to citizens and stakeholders residing in Eskişehir at different stages of the project, in accordance with the participatory approach while preparing the SUMP of the city, and this approach is only part of the attempt to prepare the most accurate plan for Eskişehir.

Eskişehir's vision and targets were determined within the scope of the SUMP approach. With these objectives, it is hoped to make passenger and freight mobility more sustainable by preparing a more pedestrian-friendly and accessible transportation system for everyone, integrating technological and innovative solutions into transportation, and reducing the use of private vehicles, thus reducing air and noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

This project is being carried out by EY in Eskişehir and Konya Metropolitan Municipalities under the direction of ILBANK and the World Bank with financing from the European Union.