| Course Objectives: |
The objective of this course is to enable students to analyze urban transportation systems from a sustainability perspective, assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of different modes of transportation, and develop solutions aligned with sustainable mobility principles. The course aims to explore the historical development of transportation, the relationship between settlement and transportation, design principles of transportation modes, mobility policies, and current sustainable transportation approaches from an interdisciplinary perspective. The aim is to equip students with the ability to develop sustainable transportation strategies by embracing a planning approach focused on pedestrian, bicycle, public transportation, and shared mobility in modern cities. |
| Course Objective: |
1. Define the fundamental concepts of transportation (mobility, accessibility, demand, modal distribution, road hierarchy),
2. Explain the historical development of urban transportation and relate them to contemporary problems,
3. Analyze the interaction between settlement and transportation and understand the relationship between urban form and transportation,
4. Learn road types and design principles (road staging, road design, intersection designs) at an applied level,
5. Evaluate pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation-oriented transportation principles within the context of sustainability,
6. Analyze policy tools such as parking management, traffic management, and demand management,
7. Evaluate the environmental impacts of transportation (emissions, energy consumption, noise, air quality),
8. Understand the steps of the sustainable transportation planning process (vision, problem analysis, scenario, solution generation, monitoring and evaluation),
9. Compare different transportation modes based on data and make design/planning decisions,
10. Create a basic sustainable transportation strategy or SUMP draft for a city,
11. National and international sustainability 12. To be able to evaluate the relationship between transportation and current policies (SDGs, Paris Agreement, EU Green Deal) and to be able to interpret current transportation technologies (shared mobility, micromobility, electric vehicles, smart transportation systems) from a sustainability perspective. |
| Mode of Delivery: |
Face to face
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| Knowledge
(Described as Theoritical and/or Factual Knowledge.)
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1) 1- Explains the fundamental concepts of sustainable transportation (mobility, accessibility, modal distribution, public transport-oriented development, etc.).
2- Analyzes the environmental, economic, and social impacts of urban transportation systems.
3- Knows the international principles and standards for sustainable transportation modes such as walking, cycling, public transport, and shared mobility.
4- Explains the methods used in urban transportation planning (demand management, transportation model, behavioral approach, TOD, Complete Streets, etc.).
5- Defines strategies and regulations for sustainable mobility in the European Union, the United Nations, and national policies.
6- Explains the relationship between climate change, energy efficiency, and carbon-neutral city targets and transportation planning.
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| Skills
(Describe as Cognitive and/or Practical Skills.)
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1) 1- Compares the performance of different modes of transportation and evaluates them in terms of sustainability.
2- Conducts walkability, bicycle accessibility, and public transportation accessibility analyses in an urban area (e.g., isochrone, access radius, route analysis).
3- Interprets mobility data (density, speed, capacity, travel demand, modal split, etc.) and produces decision-support outputs.
4- Defines problems and develops solution options to improve sustainable transportation in an existing urban area.
5- Designs short-, medium-, and long-term transportation policies in line with sustainability goals.
6- Analyzes the impacts of transportation interventions (road closures, bike paths, speed management, public transportation incentives, parking pricing, etc.).
7- Drafts a basic "Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP)" for an urban area.
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| Competences
(Described as "Ability of the learner to apply knowledge and skills autonomously with responsibility", "Learning to learn"," Communication and social" and "Field specific" competences.)
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1) 1. Independent Work and Responsibility
* Ability to make independent decisions when analyzing urban transportation problems and assume responsibility in the process of creating solutions.
* Develops decision-making responsibility in transportation projects in accordance with the principles of sustainability, environmental impact, and social justice.
* Takes initiative to solve technical and administrative problems encountered in the implementation of mobility policies.
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2) 2. Learning Competency
*Follows sustainable transportation approaches at national and international levels, learns new trends, and incorporates them into professional development.
*Learns and implements new information, methods, and technologies related to different transportation modes and interventions.
*Continuously develops technical skills in data analytics, geographic information systems, and mobility tools.
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3) 3. Communication and Social Competence
*Communicates sustainable transportation solutions clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
*Develops collaborative solutions by effectively communicating with the community, institutions, and experts during transportation planning processes.
*Creates public awareness by considering the social impacts of transportation decisions (equality, accessibility, safety, vulnerable groups).
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4) 4. Field-Specific Competence
*Assess urban transportation planning processes holistically in line with sustainability goals.
*Relates transportation policies to spatial planning, energy efficiency, and climate strategies.
*Achieves professional competence to design a basic Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for an urban area.
*Benefits the ability to adapt mobility solutions to the local context by comparing them with international examples.
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| Week |
Subject |
| Related Preparation |
Pekiştirme |
| 1) |
Week 1 – Fundamentals of Sustainable Urban Transport and Conceptual Framework
This week, the purpose and scope of the course are introduced. The concepts of transport, mobility, and sustainability are explained, and the transition from a traditional transport approach to a sustainable mobility paradigm is discussed. The impact of global policies such as the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on transport is evaluated. |
| 2) |
Week 2 – Historical Development and Evolution of Transportation
The transformation of transportation from antiquity to the present is examined. The evolution of transportation systems is examined within the framework of the Middle Ages, the Industrial Revolution, and the dominance of the motor vehicle in the 20th century. New forms of mobility emerging with the digitalization and information age are discussed. |
| 3) |
Week 3 – The Relationship Between Transportation Systems and Settlement
The interaction between urban form, land use, and the transportation system is analyzed. The impact of urban mobility patterns, travel behavior, and settlement patterns on transportation demand is evaluated. Concepts such as compact cities, pedestrianization, and mixed-use development are examined. |
| 4) |
Week 4 - Types of Carriageways and Design Principles I
Road staging, functional classification, design speeds, and basic road components are examined. The effects of arterial, collector, and street layouts on planning processes and the basic principles of safe road design are evaluated. |
| 5) |
Week 5 - Types of Roadways and Design Principles II
This week, road design is covered in detail. Geometric layouts, road sections, design standards, and accessibility criteria are examined. How to align urban road design with sustainable transportation goals is discussed. |
| 6) |
Week 6 – Roadway Types and Design Principles III (Invited Lecture/Practice)
A practical course with a guest expert will be held. Design principles will be analyzed using a real intersection, street, or corridor. Students will be encouraged to develop their technical evaluation, critical interpretation, and problem-solving skills. |
| 7) |
Week 7 – Parking Lots, Pedestrian and Bicycle Paths
The impact of parking types, capacity management, and parking policies on traffic and mobility is examined. Design principles, safety criteria, and accessibility standards for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure are evaluated. The role of active transportation in sustainable cities is discussed. |
| 8) |
Week 8 – Midterm Exam (Conceptual Exam)
The conceptual, historical, and technical content covered during the first seven weeks is evaluated. Students' analytical skills regarding transportation-settlement relationships, road design principles, and sustainability concepts are assessed. |
| 9) |
Week 9 – Public Transportation Systems
Public transportation types such as subways, trams, buses, BRT, and light rail systems are analyzed comparatively. Capacity, speed, access, operating costs, energy efficiency, and integration criteria are examined. The concept of transit-oriented development (TOD) is introduced. |
| 10) |
Week 10 – Transportation-Related Problems, Planning, and Policies I
The environmental impacts (emissions, noise, energy), social impacts (accessibility, inequality), and economic impacts (cost, efficiency) of transportation are assessed. Policy tools and planning approaches to mitigate these problems are discussed. |
| 11) |
Week 11 – Transportation Planning and Policies (Sustainable Policies) I
International sustainable transportation policies (SUMP, EU Green Deal, WHO–Safe Mobility, etc.) are examined. The processes by which cities develop sustainable transportation strategies are analyzed, and examples of good practices are discussed. |
| 12) |
Week 12 – Transportation Planning and Policies (Sustainable Policies) Field Trip
Students conduct on-site observations of a transportation corridor, intersection, public transportation line, or pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. They analyze the infrastructure's strengths and weaknesses and assess its sustainability. |
| 13) |
Week 13 – Transportation Planning and Policies (Sustainable Policies) Workshop
In this workshop, students work as a group to develop solutions for a real transportation problem. Data analysis, design, scenario development, and policy proposal processes are covered. A mini-SUMP study is prepared. |
| 14) |
Week 14 - Before the Final Exam / Presentation Preparation
Students prepare for their final project/presentation outcomes individually or in groups. Project development, formatting, and scope determination are carried out under the guidance of the instructor. |
| 15) |
Week 15 – Final Exam/Presentation
The knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course are evaluated through a final presentation and/or exam. Students present their proposed solutions to the sustainable urban transportation problem. |
| References: |
• Kılınçaslan, T.,(2012). Kentsel Ulaşım. Ninova Yayıncılık.
• Buldurur, M. (2018). Sürdürülebilir Kentsel Ulaşım. Birsen Yayın Dağıtım.
• Ersoy, M. (2009). Kentsel Planlamada Arazi Kullanım Standartları. BRC Basım ve Yayıncılık.
• Kılınçaslan, İ. (2010). Kent Ekonomisi. Ninova Yayıncılık.
• Banister, D. (2008). The sustainable mobility paradigm. Transport Policy
• Litman, T. (2013). The new transportation planning paradigm.
• Newman, P., & Kenworthy, J. (1999). Sustainability and cities: Overcoming automobile dependence. Island Press.
• Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for people. Island Press.
• Banister, D. (2005). Unsustainable transport: City transport in the new century. Routledge.
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