MIGOSUR Field Visit to the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) – 29 November 2024
As part of the MIGOSUR Jean Monnet Chair of Migration Governance for Sustainability and Resilience, we visited the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) on 29 November 2024 with undergraduate International Relations students enrolled in the RI 459 course, "The European Union as a Global Actor for Sustainability and Resilience."
Our programme began with an information session at the IPA Florya Ataköy Campus. IPA experts shared key insights into Istanbul’s strategic planning processes and its vision for a sustainable city. During this meeting, we were informed about the Istanbul Vision 2050 strategic document, which aims to secure the environmental, economic, social and spatial future of Istanbul.
In the second part of the presentations, we received detailed statistical information on topics such as Istanbul’s population growth rates and trends, district-level population projections, and food price inflation. We were also briefed on the four-scenario projection study developed by the IPA, which anticipates a population of around 20 million by 2030. The experts explained how these projections are being used in strategic urban planning processes to enhance resilience and sustainability.
The presentations further provided insights into key issues such as demographics, migration and population policies, urban resilience, the climate crisis, and energy and transport policies for Istanbul. We also received comprehensive answers to our questions on policies in areas such as rural development, agricultural policies and access to healthy food; public spaces, green systems and coastal areas; urban resilience, disaster and risk management; income distribution and employment policies; and education, social policies, and poverty reduction.
In the second phase of our programme, we toured the IPA Florya Ataköy Campus, where we had the opportunity to learn about ongoing projects and explore facilities such as the library, workshops, hangars, and classrooms. We were also briefed on innovative projects being undertaken in the pursuit of sustainability and resilience, such as the neighbourhood-based economic solidarity centres known as “Welfare Hubs.”
This field visit provided us with invaluable knowledge on sustainable urban planning, urban resilience, and participatory governance processes. We would like to thank the Istanbul Planning Agency for this meaningful and informative visit.
