A major urban infrastructure programme aimed at improving public transport, water services and climate resilience in two of Türkiye’s fastest-growing cities has secured €191.5 million ($219.4 million) in financing, providing a significant boost to sustainable urban development.
The Green and Future Cities Project will support critical infrastructure investments in Antalya and Konya, helping the municipalities address mounting pressure on transport networks, water systems and public services driven by rapid population growth and economic expansion.
The programme will be delivered through İller Bankası A.Ş. (ILBANK), Türkiye’s municipal development and investment bank, and is designed to strengthen both infrastructure capacity and long-term urban planning capabilities.
As cities continue to expand, municipal authorities face increasing challenges in financing and delivering the large-scale projects needed to support economic growth while meeting environmental and climate objectives. The new initiative seeks to address both challenges simultaneously by combining infrastructure investment with institutional capacity building.
Planned projects include the expansion and modernisation of public transport systems, investment in tram infrastructure, the introduction of low-emission transport solutions, and upgrades to water supply, wastewater treatment and sanitation networks.
The programme will also focus on improving energy efficiency and strengthening resilience against climate-related risks, including flooding, drought and extreme temperatures.
For project professionals, the initiative highlights the growing importance of integrated urban development programmes that combine infrastructure delivery, sustainability objectives and long-term economic development goals within a single portfolio framework.
J. Humberto Lopez, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye, said rapidly growing cities require investment strategies capable of supporting both economic growth and resilience.
“Türkiye’s cities are key drivers of economic growth and job creation but also face increasing pressures from rapid urbanisation and climate change. This project will help municipalities invest in modern, resilient infrastructure while strengthening their capacity to plan and finance sustainable urban development.”
The programme is expected to generate employment opportunities through both construction activity and longer-term economic benefits associated with improved urban infrastructure and service delivery.
Beyond the physical infrastructure investments, a significant component of the project focuses on strengthening municipal project delivery capability. Technical assistance will support ILBANK and participating municipalities in areas including project preparation, financial management, investment planning and sustainable urban development.
This emphasis on capability building reflects a broader trend across major infrastructure programmes, where strengthening institutional capacity is increasingly recognised as essential to achieving successful long-term outcomes.
The initiative will help municipalities develop pipelines of investment-ready projects while improving their ability to access future financing for urban development programmes.
According to project leaders, improving municipal creditworthiness and establishing stronger project governance frameworks could also create opportunities for greater private sector participation in future infrastructure investments.
Ahmet Kindap, Task Team Leader for the project, said the combination of financing and technical expertise would help cities prepare and deliver more effective investments.
“By combining financing with technical expertise, this project will help cities develop bankable, climate-smart investments and improve their access to long-term financing.”
From a project management perspective, the programme demonstrates how urban infrastructure projects are increasingly being structured around multiple objectives, including economic growth, environmental performance, social outcomes and climate resilience.
The investments are expected to contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions through cleaner transport systems and improved energy efficiency, while simultaneously improving service quality for residents and supporting economic activity.
As cities across Türkiye continue to experience rapid growth, programmes such as the Green and Future Cities Project are likely to play an increasingly important role in ensuring infrastructure development keeps pace with demand while supporting the country’s broader sustainability and climate goals.
By combining infrastructure investment, institutional strengthening and climate resilience measures, the programme aims to create a foundation for more sustainable and inclusive urban growth in two of Türkiye’s most important regional centres.
