Contracting Authority:

Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Directorate General for European Union and Foreign Affairs, Department of EU Investments

The European Union (EU) provides support to countries in the process of accession through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). This financial tool is aimed at helping candidate countries undertake political, institutional, social, and economic reforms to align with EU standards. The Department of EU Investments is responsible for managing the transport sector portion of IPA funds, working within a program approved by the European Commission in terms of both content and financing.

This program, known as the Transport Sectoral Operational Program (USOP), outlines the strategy for EU alignment in the transport sector. It defines priorities, budget allocation, eligible project types, expected measurable outcomes, and strategies for program promotion and visibility.

For nearly two decades, USOP has worked in partnership with the EU to contribute to the development of a competitive, accessible, and sustainable transport system in Türkiye. The program supports various projects across the country with the following objectives:

• Enhancing the sustainability and safety of the national transport system,
• Increasing the efficiency of transportation networks,
• Encouraging a shift from individual transport to sustainable, accessible, and inclusive public transportation at both national and urban levels,
• Strengthening Türkiye’s integration into the EU transport system by gradually aligning national regulations with EU transport legislation,
• Supporting the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in efficiently managing EU, national, and international funding in the transport sector.
• The Istanbul Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP): Phase II – Implementation Plan project is also implemented under the USOP framework.

USOP supports the development of sustainable urban mobility plans in various regions of Türkiye, contributing to the creation of more livable and higher-quality cities. Through these initiatives, it aims to reduce air and noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption, while promoting public health and road safety.

For more information about USOP and related projects, visit https://ipa.uab.gov.tr/ or follow USOP on social media.

Final Beneficiary:

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

The final beneficiary of the Istanbul SUMP Phase II – Implementation Plan Project is the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). The project is executed by the Department of Transportation and the Transportation Planning Branch Directorate, which is responsible for building a sustainable and accessible urban transport infrastructure.

The directorate is responsible for shaping Istanbul’s transportation vision, developing policies, setting principles and standards, preparing transport master plans, and designing short, medium, and long-term implementation programs. It continuously monitors, evaluates, and updates these plans to ensure their effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing the Transport Master Plan and identifying short, medium, and long-term implementation programs to shape Istanbul’s transport vision,
• Developing strategies for traffic demand management across the city,
• Planning parking areas and transfer hubs to facilitate integration between different transport modes,
• Enhancing pedestrian accessibility and walkability through dedicated planning efforts,
• Developing plans for micromobility vehicles and parking areas, defining their usage and standards,
• Planning and implementing bicycle lanes and bicycle parking areas,
• Assessing the impact of all urban planning and zoning changes on the regional transport system and providing institutional feedback,
• Establishing a comprehensive urban transport database to support planning and decision-making.

Through these extensive efforts, the Directorate aims to establish a safer, more sustainable, and better-integrated transportation system in Istanbul.