Published in the Official Gazette: The Ministry takes action on sidewalks! How wide will sidewalks be?

According to the statement made by the Ministry, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has completed its legislative work aimed at improving the design quality of pedestrian paths, sidewalks, and walking trails.

In this context, the "Regulation on Design Rules for Pedestrian Paths and Sidewalks" has been published in the Official Gazette.

Prepared to ensure safe and comfortable pedestrian movement amidst increasing urban traffic and to establish spaces that encourage an active lifestyle to prevent health problems caused by obesity, the regulation sets rules for the design and construction of outdoor pedestrian areas, including streets and avenues, as well as walking paths in public gardens, parks, and recreational areas.

Thanks to this regulation, projects will be prepared by the Administration before sidewalks and pedestrian paths are constructed, thereby preventing faulty implementations and increasing the quality of execution.

With the implementation of these rules, pedestrian movement areas will become more accessible, and by preventing obstacles and barriers on sidewalks and pedestrian paths, safe and uninterrupted walking for pedestrians will be ensured.

ELECTRICAL CABLES WILL NOT BE LEFT EXPOSED ON SIDEWALKS

There will be no obstacles of any kind up to a height of at least 2 meters and 20 centimeters above walking areas. Pedestrian crossings and areas under stairs that fall below this height will be closed off using appropriate methods.

Pits and obstacles that pose a danger to people will not be permitted on pedestrian paths; measures such as railings will be taken for areas with a risk of falling, and electrical cables will not be left exposed on sidewalks. The rules specified in the regulation will be followed for the lighting of pedestrian paths and sidewalks.

Under the regulation, if construction work is carried out at the edge of a sidewalk, measures will be taken not to endanger pedestrians. If construction activities are carried out closer than 1.5 meters to the sidewalk and at a height above 2.5 meters, a protected passage will be built over the sidewalk.

To prevent vehicles from parking on pedestrian movement areas, which is one of the biggest problems for pedestrians, protective barriers will be installed by the relevant administration.

SIDEWALK HEIGHT WILL NOT EXCEED 15 CENTIMETERS

According to the regulation, which determines the physical characteristics of sidewalks, the height of sidewalks will not exceed 15 centimeters anywhere.

Sidewalk widths will be determined by taking into account the intended use of the region and the road width in the zoning plan.

Sidewalks will be evaluated in 3 separate sections: the "pedestrian safety strip" that separates the roadway from the pedestrian movement area, the "net sidewalk walking area" which provides uninterrupted and safe transport for pedestrians without vertical or horizontal obstacles, and the "property impact strip" which provides the connection between properties and the sidewalks.

Planting can be done in the pedestrian safety strip, and urban furniture elements such as trash cans, utility poles, signs, and boards will be placed in this strip.

Even on the narrowest street, the minimum net walking area width will not be less than 1.5 meters, and the total sidewalk width will be implemented as at least 2 meters and 25 centimeters.

Secondary walking paths in public gardens, parks, and recreational areas cannot be built with a width of less than 1 meter and 20 centimeters.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WERE NOT FORGOTTEN DURING THE REGULATION

Sidewalk ramps and tactile surface applications that facilitate access for people with disabilities will be expanded in pedestrian movement areas, and auxiliary signaling equipment will be used.

Non-slip flooring materials will be used on sidewalks and pedestrian paths. Their maintenance and repair will be carried out by municipalities.

In order to reduce exhaust and noise pollution in cities, green pedestrian corridors with continuous trees will be established along sidewalks and pedestrian paths to act as both barriers and carbon sinks, and to provide a microclimatic effect to balance heat increases caused by buildings and vehicle traffic; the landscaping of cities will be improved with these green axes.

MEASURES TO FACILITATE RAINWATER DRAINAGE

Measures to facilitate rainwater drainage will be implemented against the risk of floods and inundation.

Among the innovations introduced in the regulation is the construction of rain gardens in the safety strip of sidewalks to ensure that rainwater mixes with the soil.

The regulation will be applied to new or renovated sidewalks and walking paths in places with zoning plans starting from July 1, 2024.