İstanbul Vision 2050

About the Proess

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and one of the few metropolises in the world. Along with many of its strengths and uniqueness, it faces local and global challenges. However, Istanbul's challenges have become chronic stresses due to unplanned development and the lack of prioritizing the real needs of Istanbulites. In addition, large-scale projects executed by different institutions that do not comply with the upper-scale plan decisions valid in Istanbul and the increasing number of transformation projects also disrupt the planning unity of Istanbul. Overcoming these challenges cannot be solved by planning investments in 5-10 year periods. In addition, Istanbul can't come to the fore as a strong and strategic actor in the global system with short-term image and promotion activities. Therefore, it is necessary to define the long-term role of Istanbul's global role, which rises on its local potential and historical background. This defined role and priorities should direct all resources.

As in other cities, Istanbul cannot be planned according to the priorities of certain groups and with top-down paternalistic approaches. The opportunity to find solutions to common problems together, the intellectual richness and scientific ground needed to plan a future that provides a good life for all Istanbul residents is available in Istanbul.

The Vision 2050 Office was established in February 2020 as a component of the Istanbul Planning Agency to answer the questions of “What kind of Istanbul do we want? How can we plan the future of Istanbul together?” with a vision and strategy.

The Istanbul Vision 2050 Strategy Document, prepared by the Vision 2050 Office by bringing together the ideas of Istanbulites and supported by data, is a future project for 16 million Istanbulites. It is the first long-term and strategic plan that Istanbul needs.

The Istanbul Vision 2050 Strategy Document, which believes in the power of producing together and is shaped by a scientifically planned participation process, has been prepared with a paradigm that prioritizes the increase of the quality of life of Istanbulites and embraces positive discrimination of vulnerable groups. The document, which is a guide for all institutions and individuals working for Istanbul, especially the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), has been finalized with a strategic approach that integrates the city's long-term and multidimensional development dynamics.

The strategies of Istanbul are of a nature to affect the whole world, especially Turkey and its region. Therefore, the Istanbul Vision 2050 Strategy Document is primarily a call for change for the entire country and the world, starting from the local and, simultaneously, an effort to solve problems of all these scales.

The Istanbul Vision 2050 Strategy Document defines a total of 38 goals under seven themes and 246 goals that constitute the roadmap to implement Istanbul's vision and key policies for 2050, determined by the people of Istanbul. The goals and objectives are explained based on the analysis and data.

Being an Istanbulite means realizing the dream of an equal, fair and free life for all citizens, and it is possible to benefit from urban amenities and leave cultural traces.

This document is for all Istanbulites!

Themes and Goals of Istanbul 2050 Vision

To achieve the vision of Istanbul in 2050 as "The World City Where Life is Vibrant and Free with All Its Diversity, and Everyone Lives Well", the Strategy Document set 38 objectives under seven themes related to the development and growth of the city. In addition, many targets were determined following the objectives, defining their realization. The themes and objectives are given in the following table.

THEME	GOAL
THE CLIMATE ADAPTIVE CITY THAT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT	To Preserve, Improve and Restore Natural Values
	To Reduce Environmental Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
	To Increase the City's Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change and to boost the Participation of Citizens in the Fight Against the Climate Crisis
	To Ensure Climate Justice
EFFECTIVE AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY	To Provide Accessible and Comfortable Travel with Integrated Transportation Systems
	To Promote Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation as a Mode of Transportation Throughout the City
	To Ensure Traffic Safety
	To Ensure Inclusiveness of the Transportation Systems
	To Provide Environmentally-Compatible Human and Freight Mobility with Strong Global and Regional Connections
INTEGRATED AND SMART INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS	To Increase Coordination and Efficiency in Infrastructure Systems through Innovative Technologies
	To Increase the Share of Renewable Energy in Power Generation and Consumption
	To reduce dependence by developing sustainable water systems
	To Reduce the City's Amount of Waste through Effective Waste Management
	To Increase Disaster Preparedness and Safe Urban Infrastructure Systems
	To Increase the Inclusiveness of Information and Communication Infrastructure, To Provide Secure and Reliable Open Data
VIBRANT AND SENSIBLE SPACES ASSURING GOOD LIVING FOR ALL	To prevent the urban sprawl towards biocultural areas, to create a quality urban built environment
	To Ensure the Balanced Development of Urban Space to Improve the Quality of Life
	To Develop Dynamic Public Spaces That Support Vibrant Urban Life
	To Protect Cultural Heritage and Strengthen Its Connections with Urban Life through Creative and Innovative Approaches
TRANSFORMATIVE AND RESILIENT ECONOMY	To Transform the Production towards Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Orientation
	To Make Istanbul a Center of Attraction for Innovative and Creative Initiatives
	To Improve Economic Diversity and Cross-Sector Interactions
	To Achieve Green Transition
	To Increase the Adaptation of the Workforce to Transformation Processes and the Inclusiveness of Employment
ACCESSIBLE AND FAIR URBAN AMENITIES FOR ALL	Making the City a Hub for Arts and Culture with Active Participation of Istanbulites
	To Improve Healthy Living Conditions and Provide Access to Quality Healthcare Services
	To provide access to educational services where individuals of all ages will acquire the skills to reveal their potential
	To Ensure Istanbulites' Access to Comfortable and Affordable Housing
	To Ensure Access to Healthy Food in All Circumstances
	To develop the sports infrastructure at international standards, to ensure the adoption of sports as a lifestyle
EQUAL AND FREE SOCIETY	To Enable All Social and Cultural Groups to Live Together with their Unique Identities
	To Fight Discrimination Effectively and Continuously
	To Guarantee Individual Freedoms and Differences
	To Achieve Gender Equality in All Areas of Life and at All Levels
	To Enable the Aging Population to Live Independently and Participate Actively in Urban Life
	To Prevent Income Injustice and Reduce Poverty in All Its Forms
	To Increase the Participation of Youth in Decision-making Processes and to Provide Them with the Skills to Fulfil Their Potential
	To Strengthen Civil Space and Social Solidarity