Within the framework of the Trabzon Sustainable Urban Transportation Plan (SUMP), implemented under the Sectoral Operational Programme for Transport (USOP) as part of the Türkiye-EU financial cooperation managed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, a study visit was held to Madrid and Málaga cities of Spain was carried out between 25-30 November 2024, with the participation of the Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Contractor representatives.
The study visit took place with the participation of Trabzon
Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Gürkan Üçüncü, heads of relevant departments,
SUMP Project Coordinator Samet Ali Yıldız and Trabzon SUMP technical assistance
team, on behalf of the Contracting Authority Head of Department for EU
Investments Tijen İğci (PhD), Contract Manager Adem Koç, Project Manager Meltem
Şan, and the Contractor consortium.
The first day of the study visit started with a meeting hosted by
Dolores Ortiz Sánchez, the Director General of Mobility Infrastructure Planning
of the Municipality of Madrid. During the meeting, municipal experts introduced
the Madrid 360 Project. The city’s sustainable transportation strategies and
projects were explained, and ideas were exchanged. After the meeting, the
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Madrid was visited by the SKUp delegation
and consultations were held.
The next stage of the visit, as part of the technical visit organized by
the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM), provided a comprehensive
presentation on how public transport systems in the region are planned,
coordinated, and integrated. The CRTM officials shared detailed information on sustainable
policies to increase public transport use, strategies to increase the
efficiency of transport systems, and projects using innovative technologies. Additionally,
the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium was introduced by visiting the Public
Transport Innovation and Management Centre on-site. A comprehensive
presentation was given regarding the technologies and management processes
employed at the centre, where the operation of all modes of transport in the
Madrid region is monitored in real-time. Afterwards, a technical visit was made
to the M-30 Tunnels in Madrid and the Madrid Río Park. Within the scope of the visit,
the process of undergrounding the M-30 highway and the transformation of the
Manzanares River area with green spaces were observed.
Through the project, it was observed how the traffic density in the city
centre was reduced and how the riverside areas were revitalised, and how
sustainable urban planning was created by harmonising the urban fabric with
nature. On the third day of the visit, a high-speed train journey was made to
the city of Málaga. At the meeting organized with the Malaga Transport
Consortium, the activities carried out in the Andalusia Region towards
sustainable transport targets were discussed. Presentations were made on
various projects- to improve the transportation infrastructure in the region,
increase the use of public transport and reduce the dependence on private
vehicles- carried out by the Consortium, and solutions developed to integrate
public transport systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring energy
efficiency and reduce environmental impacts were also discussed. Future investments
and regular evaluations on user satisfaction were also among the other
prominent topics of the visit.
During the last visit to Metro Málaga, detailed information was given about the current status of Metro de Málaga and the planned extension projects. In particular, the construction process was explained together with the tunnel excavations and street arrangements made by the Cut & Cover method. In addition, the areas where the remains of the old Málaga urban settlement were found and preserved were shown to the visitors. The design differences between the stations, especially the special arrangements made regarding the Decking of the Atarazanas station in the city centre, were also shared. Information about the installation of solar panels and how energy is provided in line with sustainability goals was also conveyed to the participants within the scope of the visit.
This technical
visit served as an important guide for the effective implementation of the
goals set within the scope of Trabzon SUMP. On-site examination of the
preparation and implementation of sustainable urban transport plans
strengthened inter-institutional cooperation and information sharing. Thanks to
this experience, the technical team of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality has
developed its knowledge and skills, created a strategic vision for future
projects, and increased its strategic capacity with the experiences obtained at
the international level.