Closing Conference of the SKUP Türkiye Project Highlights Pathways for Sustainable Urban Mobility
The two-day International Urban Mobility Conference – Unlocking Urban Mobility: Strategic Outlook for Türkiye and Europe marked the official closing of the SKUP Türkiye Project. Bringing together over 300 participants, the event gathered national and local actors, EU institutions, municipalities, academics, and mobility experts to exchange knowledge, showcase achievements, and shape the future of sustainable urban mobility.
A Two-Day Exchange of Ideas and Inspiration
On 7 July, the programme opened with strong messages from the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye and the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, underlining the importance of collaboration and shared commitment. Throughout the day, experts and stakeholders explored:
- The impact of planning processes and institutional transformation,
- Good practice examples from Türkiye and Europe,
- Policy coordination and integration at national and local levels, and
- Emerging governance models to support future mobility transitions.
On 8 July, discussions turned to future-oriented solutions. Multi-stakeholder sessions addressed:
- Alternative financing models for sustainable mobility,
- Data-based governance approaches,
- Climate-sensitive and inclusive transport policies, and
- Technical innovations such as resilient urban transport systems and high-speed bus services.
In this context, Panteia's Carolina Ramos presented the results of the financial handbooks and moderated a session on green financing, sparking dialogue on how cities can leverage innovative funding tools to scale up their mobility transitions.
The “Mobility for All” session, inspired by the theme of European Mobility Week 2025, reaffirmed the principles of equity and inclusion in access to mobility services.
The conference concluded with the screening of an almanac film retracing the SKUP Türkiye Project’s three-year impact journey, followed by a plaque of appreciation ceremony at the closing reception.
More Than a Conference — A Legacy for the Future
The event was not only a gathering, but the culmination of three years of joint work: from policy papers, handbooks, and capacity-building activities to policy dialogues, communication campaigns, and the launch of Türkiye’s SUMP Knowledge Hub www.skupturkiye.org.tr.
Ambition
The agenda reflected the full ambition of the project. It included:
- Strategic reflections on Türkiye’s White Policy Paper and national planning pathways,
- Case studies from leading Turkish and European cities,
- Panels on data governance, resilience, equity, and financing,
- Hands-on guidance for local implementation, and
- Dynamic networking to connect cities and ideas.
The conversations sparked in Ankara will continue in cities, ministries, and networks, ensuring that the SKUP Türkiye Project leaves a lasting legacy for the next 25 years of sustainable urban mobility.
We are proud to have been part of this project and to have contributed using our knowledge on European SUMPs. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the leader of the consortium, Rupprecht Consult, as well as our partners Polis and BNN for their valuable support and collaboration throughout the SKUP Türkiye Project. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the project’s success and in leaving a lasting legacy for sustainable urban mobility in Türkiye.
