Turkey is the largest of all EU accession candidate countries, with 783.562 square km (including lakes and islands). The country has a population of 83,6 million people in 2020. By 2023, the total population is forecasted to reach more than 84 million people. With a GDP of $761 billion, it is the 18th largest economy in the world (GDP at purchasing power parities).
The Transport Sectoral Operational Programme (SOPT) is the major instrument for providing the financial assistance of the European Union to the transport sector in Turkey.
The general objective of SOPT (2014-2020) is to contribute to Turkey EU integration with economic and social development by providing a competitive, accessible and sustainable transport system in accordance with EU standards. More specifically, SOPT main strategy aims to:
● Increase the sustainability and security of the national transport system;
● Increase the efficiency of the national transport system;
● Encourage the transition from individual transportation to sustainable, accessible and extensive modes of mass transportation at a national level as well as at an urban level;
● Strengthen the integration of Turkey to the EU in the field of transportation by providing a progressive harmonization of the Turkish transport sector with the EU acquis;
● Support MoTI in the management of SOPT to ensuring an efficient use of the financing provided by the EU, the donors and the financing provided at the national level in the transport sector of Turkey.
Under IPA II for 2014-2018 programming, EUR 22.8 million were allocated to SOPT Action 3 - Accessible and Inclusive Transport which supports the preparation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and finance implementation of related investments in Turkish cities. Investments cover public transport services as well as promoting the use of bicycles, developing pedestrian areas, promoting carpooling practice.
It is expected that a preparation and eventual implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) bring a new transport planning perspective to Turkish cities in line with EU policies.