We are delighted to welcome the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) as a new member of the ERTICO Partnership. IMM is responsible for governing Istanbul, a global metropolis with a population of approximately 20 million. Strategically positioned at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a vital economic, cultural, and logistical hub.
IMM oversees 39 districts across a 5,343 km² area, managing a 37,000 km road network and facilitating over 34 million daily trips to ensure efficient and sustainable urban mobility. As Turkey’s primary economic and trade centre, Istanbul also ranks as the fourth most visited city in Europe and plays a leading role in the country’s industrial production.
“Istanbul is a city of strategic and symbolic importance, a bridge between continents, cultures, and innovation ecosystems. We are proud to welcome the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the ERTICO Partnership,” welcomes Joost Vantomme, ERTICO CEO. “As we look ahead to the 2026 ITS European Congress in Istanbul, we are excited to collaborate with IMM and its affiliated entities to drive forward a sustainable, digital, and connected mobility future for Europe and beyond.”
IMM is committed to developing a sustainable, liveable, and inclusive city, implementing pioneering projects in transportation, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, culture, and smart urban development. Guided by the Istanbul 2050 Vision, the city aims to become:
- A climate-adaptive city that protects the environment,
- A resilient and transformative economy,
- A city with accessible and equitable urban services,
- Vibrant, liveable spaces for all,
- Effective and inclusive mobility solutions,
- Integrated, intelligent infrastructure systems, and
- An equal, free society.
As part of this vision, Istanbul is implementing the world’s first megacity Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), aiming to create an eco-friendly, efficient, and integrated transport system. This strategy supports low-carbon mobility, promotes modal integration, and introduces measures to reduce traffic congestion.
IMM’s mission is to establish a modern, high-quality, safe, and accessible mobility network that places Istanbul among the world’s leading cities. The municipality is enhancing road safety and accessibility while optimising transportation efficiency in terms of time and cost. By embracing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and best practices in smart mobility, IMM aspires to become a global model for resilient and intelligent urban development through international collaboration and technological innovation.
ERTICO’s mission is to connect stakeholders across the broader transport and mobility ecosystem to advance safer, resilient, and more sustainable solutions and services. We voice the community of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe and beyond by leveraging digital transformation, staying up to date with the latest trends and uniting industry leaders with public authorities. ERTICO invites its partners to engage in European-funded projects, innovation platforms, and thought leadership insights as well as active participation at the annual ITS Congresses.
IMM is eager to join the ERTICO Partnership to explore innovative solutions, engage in collaborative projects, and strengthen its capabilities in smart mobility. Through ERTICO, IMM aims to:
- Access a global network of leaders in intelligent transportation,
- Contribute to international sustainable and smart mobility initiatives,
- Implement advanced technologies and best practices into Istanbul’s transport system.
IMM also wishes to include its affiliated companies in this membership, including:
Sehir Hatlari (sea transport), IETT (buses, shuttles, funiculars), Metro Istanbul, ISPARK, BELBIM, Istanbul Enerji, and Ulasim Istanbul. These entities will support collaborative project development and ensure cohesive progress towards IMM’s strategic mobility goals.
Together with our partners, we share the joint mission to actively promote sustainable collaborative relations with EU institutions and policymakers by connecting local and regional transport organisations with national authorities.
Joining the ERTICO Partnership is an important way to connect multiple sectors across the broader ecosystem. It enables closer collaboration between public and private stakeholders, supporting the uptake and roll-out of new ideas, cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
See all of ERTICO’s Partners here and learn more about how to join the Partnership.