EMBARQ Turkey's first annual Livable Cities Symposium, held November 30, 2013, explored how smart cities, car-sharing, public participation, public spaces, urban design, and historic preservation can improve quality of life in cities. More information at www.embarqturkiye-yasanabilirsehirler.org/en.
Maps & Data
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As Turkey rapidly grows more urban and citizens are faced with the choice between private cars and sustainable transport, the need for infrastructure that supports active or non-motorized transport has never been greater. EMBARQ Turkey, in partnership with city officials of Istanbul and Konya, has developed City of [Bike] for City, an ambitious plan to develop 1000 km (~620 miles) of bike lanes in both cities by 2023. This would mean tripling the number of bike lanes EMBARQ Turkey has currently developed. But EMBARQ Turkey is not waiting a decade to get started. Already in 2014 32 km (~20 miles) are to be constructed in Istanbul, and another 150 km (~93 miles) of bike lanes are projected this year for the city of Konya. Each city faces distinct problems, but EMBARQ Turkey hopes both cities can develop a comprehensive set of principles that policymakers, designers and community members can follow to shape safe and well-used cycling facilities throughout all of Turkey.
For more information, read the full EMBARQ report on Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Bus Rapid Transit. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has a positive impact on life in cities. It can save lives, reduce local air pollution, increase physical activity, and catalyze economic activity. This video, produced by EMBARQ and filmed in Mexico City and Istanbul, summarizes the type and range of impacts BRTs can have on users, the environment and on public health.
While grappling with rapid population growth and increasing car ownership, Mexico City's Historic District finds ways to improve people's lives with sustainable urban development projects, including creating car-free streets and a "green wall" to recover public space.
EMBARQ is working in Ahmedabad, India to promote sustainable transport and urban development through its world-class Janmarg bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
India