The Green Transformation in Transportation Project was launched
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The “Green Transformation in Transportation Project”, which will be carried out within the framework of the protocol signed between the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Istanbul Ticaret University Transportation Systems Application and Research Center, was launched.
Mr. Gürsel Erul, Deputy General Manager of Environmental Management at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, made a speech at the introductory meeting held at the Istanbul Ticaret University Conference Hall. Mr. Erul has said that the protection of the environment and human health is one of the primary duties of the state.
Pointing out that the Ministry has done a lot to protect the environment and prevent environmental pollution, Mr. Erul has said, “Environmental management consists of three main components: Waste management, wastewater management, and air management. It is also equally important to be able to manage these components in an integrated manner. Just as buses are integrated into the subway system and the subway system is integrated into the tram system, we also need to manage the natural resources in an integrated manner.”
A MASTER PLAN IS BEING DRAFTED FOR CYCLING
Mr. Erul has mentioned that they address each of the air pollutant emissions separately within the scope of the air management component and reminded that they introduced the mobile exhaust emission control tool a while ago to that effect. Mr. Erul stated that in the project developed jointly with ASELSAN (Military Electronics Industry Inc.), vehicles in traffic are checked through their license plates whether they have had exhaust inspection or not. Mr. Erul has said, “Given that air pollution affects people deeply and causes health problems, the purpose here is not to victimize the vehicle owners, it is rather to prevent air pollution caused by exhaust gas emissions.”
Mr. Erul also talked about the efforts to promote the use of bicycles. In this regard, he stated that the Ministry is drafting a master plan for the use of bicycles in and between cities and that the works to increase the bicycle lanes are underway. Mr. Erul noted that the Ministry has funded the construction of 550-kilometer bicycle path so far.
“CYCLING SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED”
Istanbul Ticaret University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Elçin Aykaç Alp said that the technological advancements make life easier, but at the same time they also increase air pollution.
Drawing attention to the negative effects of motor vehicles on turning the blue sky into a gray one, Prof. Dr. Alp said, “One pillar of our Green Transformation in Transportation Project is to encourage cycling and increase the use of bicycles. We firmly believe that our Ministry will be meticulous in the construction of bicycle paths and promoting bicycle use, as it has done so far. Of course, our people also have an important role to play here. The society also needs to be conscious of this issue”.
Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ilıcalı, Director of Istanbul Ticaret University Transportation Systems Application and Research Center, made a presentation on the launch of the Green Transformation in Transportation Project.
NOISE PREVENTION AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT
Prof. Dr. Ilıcalı has said that the project also includes noise prevention and cultural transformation and explained that one of the objectives of the project is to produce domestic and national noise barriers and use these noise barriers for noise prevention within the scope of the project. Emphasizing the importance of bicycle use, Prof. Dr. Ilıcalı emphasized that it is necessary to raise awareness in the society on this issue.
In the sessions held after the opening ceremony, topics such as “Noise Control for Livable Cities, Importance of Noise Barriers and Clean Air” and “The Impact of Cycling for Livable Cities in terms of Clean Air and Environment” were discussed.
