The closing
meeting of the Gaziantep Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy Plan Project
(GAUS), which is co-financed by the European Union under the Sectoral
Operational Programme for Transport (SOPT) managed by the Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure, was held on 14 November 2025. The
programme, carried out within the framework of Türkiye–European Union Financial
Cooperation, began with a short introductory film outlining the objectives and
key outputs of the GAUS Project.
The event was
attended by Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin, Gaziantep Deputy Governor
Sedat Sezik, Director General for EU Affairs and Foreign Relations of the
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Burak Aykan, Head of Cooperation at
the EU Delegation to Türkiye Maria Luisa Wyganowski, representatives of partner
institutions, and local protocol members.
Mayor Fatma
Şahin emphasized that GAUS is a critical investment for the city’s future,
stating:
“We are
demonstrating a strong commitment to strengthening green mobility in Gaziantep.
Our work on the electric bus fleet continues, and we will put 25 electric buses
into service very soon. With smart junctions, sensor systems and advanced
traffic monitoring infrastructure, we are building a safer and more efficient
city.”
Şahin also
highlighted the city’s rapid growth and the impact of factors such as the
recent earthquakes, migration, and climate-related pressures, noting that these
dynamics require continuous updates in transport planning. She stressed that
the smart mobility systems established through GAUS enable Gaziantep to adapt
quickly and effectively to these changes.
Gaziantep Deputy
Governor Sedat Sezik underlined the city’s demographic and economic dynamism:
“With a
population approaching two and a half million, strong industrial production,
hundreds of thousands of students and millions of annual visitors, Gaziantep is
one of Türkiye’s most dynamic cities. Traffic is naturally a major issue in
such a setting, and for this reason we consider the GAUS Project extremely
valuable for our city. We believe it will significantly contribute to
Gaziantep’s future.”
Maria Luisa
Wyganowski, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Türkiye, emphasized the
project’s tangible benefits for the daily lives of Gaziantep residents:
“Smart
accessibility devices, cycling and micro-mobility solutions are not merely
technologies; they are tools that improve overall quality of life. Gaziantep is
not a city that waits for the future—it is a city that builds it. We are proud
to support this transformation and will continue to stand by Gaziantep. This
closing event is not an end but the beginning of a new chapter.”
Burak Aykan,
Director General for EU and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure, acknowledged the decisive leadership of Mayor Şahin in the
project’s success, saying:
“The Mayor’s
ownership of the project and her close monitoring of every detail ensured that
the work progressed efficiently. The project team of the Metropolitan
Municipality also played a major role in this success with their knowledge,
experience and dedication.”
The GAUS Project has significantly strengthened environmentally friendly and smart mobility investments across Gaziantep. As part of the project, smart transportation systems were expanded
citywide, with
new bicycle signal points and bicycle counters introduced to promote cycling.
Modern dynamic junction control systems were installed to reduce congestion at
intersections, while variable message signs now allow real-time monitoring of
traffic flow.
To enhance
pedestrian and public transport safety, countdown timers, pedestrian push
buttons and information screens were installed at key locations throughout the
city. Additionally, the expansion of sensor infrastructure that measures air
quality, traffic density and meteorological data has enabled systematic
tracking of environmental conditions. Urban safety has also been reinforced
with new camera systems, parking guidance screens and monitoring units
supported by parkomat infrastructure.
In line with the
city’s green mobility goals, 12 electric bus charging stations were
commissioned, and 25 electric buses were added to the municipal transport
fleet. These investments directly support Gaziantep’s objective of reducing
carbon emissions and establishing a more sustainable mobility system.