Project Title: FORTHCOMING– FOsteRing THe City Of proximity through Maas INteGration

Funding Agency: Horizon Europe Programme 'Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future Partnership (DUT)', TÜBİTAK 1071 - National Support Program

Project Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Hilmi Berk ÇELİKOĞLU (Istanbul Technical University)

Investigators: Prof. Dr. Hande DEMİREL (Istanbul Technical University)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge ÇELİKOĞLU (Istanbul Technical University)

Project Local Partner: PARABOL Yazılım Elektronik, Danışmanlık, Eğitim, San. Tic. Ltd.Şti.

The FORTHCOMING Project offers an innovative approach to examining the applicability of the 15-minute city model in the outskirts of European cities. The project aims to integrate principles of mobility, digitalization, and sustainability, particularly in suburban areas, to make these regions more livable and environmentally friendly.

One of the primary challenges addressed in the project is the difficulty of transferring the 15-minute city model, which is often more effectively implemented in city centers, to urban peripheries. Factors such as low-density development, inadequate transportation connectivity, and lack of diversity lead to a car-dependent lifestyle among residents, increasing environmental, economic, and social costs.

The project develops innovative strategies centered on integrating digitalization and mobility systems to address these issues.

The project involves case studies from various European cities, including Madrid, Turin, Lisbon, Hamburg, and Istanbul. These case studies will reveal the challenges and solutions associated with transferring strategies suitable for the 15-minute city model from core cities to suburban areas. Küçükçekmece district, located in Istanbul’s western periphery, is a significant case study area and will serve as a testbed for developing sustainable logistics and intermodal mobility solutions.

As a result, ICT-based solutions and strategies developed in alignment with the 15-minute city model will be tested with the participation of stakeholders from various European cities. The project aims to deliver implementable guidelines at both local and international levels. The outputs of the FORTHCOMING Project will contribute to the creation of sustainable, efficient, and livable spaces in suburban areas for decision-makers.