Under the auspices of the UCLG-MEWA, a meeting titled “Traffic Problems and Solution Proposals” was held on Friday, August 8, 2025. The event addressed the multifaceted impacts of traffic congestion and shared proposed solutions with the public.
Moderated by UCLG-MEWA General Coordinator Dr. Ali Murat Duman, the meeting featured key speakers including UCLG-MEWA Secretary General Dr. Mehmet Duman; Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ilıcalı, Director of the Transportation Systems Application and Research Center at Istanbul Commerce University and Chair of the Common Sense in Traffic Projects Association (TRAP); and Musa Akan, Chair of the Association for Health Promotion and Health Policies.
Musa Akan highlighted the adverse effects of traffic congestion on social life, noting that delays in accessing healthcare services, increased carbon emissions, and severe air and noise pollution are among the critical consequences.
Dr. Mehmet Duman emphasized that traffic congestion is one of the most pressing challenges facing cities today. He underscored the responsibilities of local governments in this domain, pointing to the importance of road and traffic safety policies. Duman stressed that transformation in traffic management must begin at the local level and invited all local authorities to engage in this process actively.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ilıcalı approached the issue from technical and academic perspectives. Drawing attention to the specific challenges faced by Istanbul, he presented geometric solution proposals for bus-priority road arrangements, supported by international examples. He also emphasized the need to instill traffic awareness early and highlighted the importance of education and public awareness initiatives.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and strong media engagement, reinforcing the urgency of collaborative action on urban mobility. Participants praised the depth of analysis and the actionable nature of the proposed solutions.