Historical analysis of economic, social and environmental impacts of the Europe-Asia crossings in Istanbul

Abstract

ABSTRACTAchieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability of urban transport is one of the great contemporary societal challenges. By tracing urban land-use and transport policies and technological change in transport over a 60-year period in a case study of Istanbul, the authors demonstrate the displacement of more sustainable modes of transport (ferry, walking, and public transport) for a more automobile-dependent metropolis with road bridges across the Istanbul Strait (Bosphorus Strait). This article describes the main features, history, and status of the Europe-Asia crossings in Istanbul, thus framing a discussion of sustainability issues. Its originality is a discussion of sustainability through the economic, social, and environmental impacts of Europe-Asia crossings based on both a historical perspective and future prospects in order to assess whether current policies are leading toward more sustainable outcomes. The article concludes by emphasizing the impacts of policy decisions on tran...