The transition to low carbon urbanization in Turkey: Emerging policies and initial action

The aim of this paper is to analyse the emergence of urban planning for climate change in Turkey, with particular reference to climate change mitigation, and to assess the prospects of a gradual transition to low carbon urbanisation. The paper first establishes an analytical perspective, in terms of normative models of low carbon urban development and the specificities of Turkish urbanisation processes. This perspective informs the analysis of the evolution of policies to reduce carbon emissions from cities which led to adoption of the first Turkish National Climate Change Action Plan in July 2011.The paper then argues that a move towards low carbon urbanisation is contingent on integrating national energy and climate change policies with evolving national policies for urban development and regeneration. The paper concludes that recent national policy innovations are an important first step and that continuing international support will sustain the momentum, but that significant progress towards low carbon urbanisation in Turkey will depend on the effectiveness of continuing efforts to improve the regulation of urban development.

► Reducing CO2-emissions is necessary for delivering sustainable urban development.
► Turkish cities are now starting to develop climate change plans.
► Turkish cities need to be made both earthquake proof and climate proof.
► Neighbourhood regeneration should make cities safe and reduce CO2 emissions.