Eskişehir’s Car-free Sunday model presented to Turkish municipalities

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality’s ‘Car-free Sunday’ initiative has been presented as a model for sustainable urban transport at the European Mobility Week Media Launch and Workshop organized by the Union of Municipalities of Turkey.

Launched in January, the program transforms designated areas in the city center into pedestrian and cyclist zones on the last Sunday of every month. Unlike the single-day ‘World Car-Free City Day’ observed on September 22, Eskişehir has established this as a regular, permanent municipal practice.

During the workshop, Urban Planner Bilen Deniz Uyar detailed the implementation process and the positive feedback received from residents. The initiative aims to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and enhance public safety by prioritizing human movement over motorized vehicles. The model is intended to encourage walking and cycling while increasing public awareness regarding the environmental impacts of private car usage.