In the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquakes in Gaziantep, Türkiye, widespread damage to roads led to severe fuel shortages and isolation, disrupting daily life and humanitarian operations. This crisis revealed the vulnerability of Türkiye’s metropolitan municipalities, whose transport systems rely heavily on fossil fuels and are ill-equipped to function during large-scale disasters. Without resilient infrastructure or alternative energy sources, a future disruption could result in a similar collapse of mobility and emergency response. 

To address these challenges, Türkiye is advancing efforts to promote disaster-resilient, renewable energy-powered public transport. This includes deploying electric vehicles, strengthening infrastructure, and exploring sustainable alternatives in cities like Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara.

A knowledge exchange week in Japan, supported by the Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Developing Countries (Japan-World Bank DRM Program), provided an opportunity for Türkiye’s municipalities to explore how these goals might be achieved. In November 2024, the Tokyo Disaster Risk Management Hub under the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) which implements the Japan-World Bank DRM Program, facilitated a study tour for a delegation from the metropolitan municipalities of Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara and Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure’s Strategy and Budget Presidency.

The visit was part of a broader effort to help municipalities in Türkiye bolster the climate and disaster resilience of their transport systems, with a particular focus on seismic risk. The knowledge exchange aimed to equip Türkiye’s transport authorities with practical lessons from Japan’s globally recognized approach to disaster-resilient mobility. From early warning systems and real-time operational monitoring to innovative clean transport solutions and multi-stakeholder coordination, the visit showcased how Japan’s layered resilience strategies help safeguard infrastructure and commuters alike.

Japanese railway companies, such as JR East and Tokyo Metro, shared emergency preparedness practices, including hazard observation systems, early warning mechanisms for earthquakes and floods, and evacuation planning protocols for extreme events. Experience from recent disasters showed the effectiveness of these measures. For instance, during the 2004 Niigata Prefecture earthquake, a Shinkansen train (Japan’s high-speed “bullet train”) derailed but all passengers walked away uninjured—thanks to automatic train stop systems and rapid emergency response. Such outcomes were made possible through advanced hydromet and seismic monitoring systems—such as scouring and landslide detectors, seismographs, and an integrated communication and control platform. The platform has since been enhanced with a digital twin interface that integrates real-time information on train operations, passenger flow, weather conditions, and disaster risk alerts to ensure safe and stable transport.

An expert from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo presented Japan’s integrated approach to managing natural hazard risks on railways through structural reinforcements and real-time monitoring systems. The presentation highlighted a comprehensive suite of countermeasures in Japan against earthquakes, rainfall, wind, and snow, including early warning systems and predictive flood modeling. Case studies from infrastructure affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Typhoon Hagibis demonstrated the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing derailments and casualties.

The delegation also explored Japan’s progress in climate-smart transport. The site visit featured Tokyo’s Fuel Cell (FC) bus network, powered by hydrogen, which not only offers zero-emission transit but also serves a critical role in emergency preparedness. The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation first introduced FC buses into its fleet in 2017, in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the dual aim of mitigating climate impacts and strengthening disaster response. In the event of a major disruption, these buses can be deployed to provide mobile power supply to evacuation centers and essential facilities—ensuring that key services continue operating even when conventional infrastructure is compromised. 

“We believe Turkish delegates were impressed by the depth of Japan’s commitment to pre-disaster investment and the level of coordination among stakeholders,” said Mr. Masa Kitauchi, Vice Executive General Manager at Japan International Consultants for Transportation (JIC), whose team played a central role in coordinating the knowledge exchange with their network of experts in Japan. “They actively engaged in discussions on structural and non-structural measures alike and expressed strong interest in the multi-layered approach—especially the frameworks that bring together national agencies, local governments, and private operators well before a disaster strikes.”

Mr. Kitauchi added, “The hands-on demonstrations—like digital monitoring systems and FC bus operations—offered powerful, tangible insights. It’s clear that seeing Japan’s model in action helped deepen the delegation’s understanding of what’s possible.”

For Türkiye, where urban centers face compounding risks from both climate change and earthquakes, these lessons carry particular weight. As Murad Gurmeric, Senior Transport Engineer from the World Bank noted during the visit, “Practical and cost-efficient solutions like these could be game changers for Türkiye’s urban transport systems—especially when facing floods or earthquakes.”

The visit also reinforced the importance of integrating transport resilience with broader disaster risk governance. In their meeting with Japan’s Cabinet Policy Office, delegates learned how Japan’s disaster response system is structured across five levels of severity and led by the Prime Minister. They discussed how emergency teams operate 24/7, and how Crisis Management Specialists are rapidly deployed to coordinate response activities. The multi-agency framework includes both national and local emergency headquarters, supported by real-time information sharing and joint decision-making across ministries—ensuring rapid, unified action in the face of major disasters.

The Japan-World Bank DRM Program financed by the Government of Japan and supported by the Tokyo DRM Hub, will continue to support Türkiye’s municipalities in applying lessons from the visit to enhance risk assessments, design more resilient infrastructure, and embed long-term resilience planning into transport policies and investments.