Transport Justice for Istanbul’s Urban Mobility: Equity, Accessibility, and Policy Challenges

Abstract

Transport justice is a critical dimension of urban mobility, ensuring that access to urban mobility is equitable across different socioeconomic groups. The concept goes beyond mere infrastructure development to consider fairness in accessibility, affordability, and participation in transport planning. In Istanbul, a megacity of over 16 million people, mobility is shaped by a complex interplay of geographic, economic, and social factors. While the city boasts an extensive public transport network, including buses, ferries, metro lines, and tramways, many residents face barriers to mobility due to income disparities, gender dynamics, and infrastructural inefficiencies. Istanbul’s rapid urbanization and complex transport landscape have created significant disparities in mobility access. This paper explores Istanbul’s urban mobility through the lens of transport justice, focusing on equity, accessibility, and policy challenges, and proposes policies that contribute to more equitable and sustainable urban mobility. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as distributive justice, mobility justice, and Rawlsian equity, this study highlights how socioeconomic status, gender, disability, and geography influence mobility experiences. The paper presents an evaluation of Istanbul’s public transport policies in promoting sustainable and inclusive mobility. The findings suggest that while recent transport infrastructure developments aim to improve accessibility, existing inequalities persist, particularly for marginalized groups.