Ankara Gets a New Look at a Cost of $235 Million

In just a few days, NATO’s key summit will begin. Heads of state and government from 32 countries will attend the meeting. To welcome them, Turkiye’s capital, Ankara, has taken on a new look.

Authorities are making final preparations along the entire route from the airport to the city center. Workers have planted new flowers along the roadsides and installed giant billboards. The billboards conceal dilapidated buildings and relatively poorer neighborhoods. The goal is simple: to present the capital in a more attractive way to foreign guests.

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the summit. As a result, Turkiye wants to leave no room for shortcomings in either security or beautification efforts.

However, many residents are unhappy with the government’s initiative. They complain that efforts to make the city look better have made everyday life more difficult for ordinary people.

Authorities will close many major roads in the capital during the summit. Security restrictions will also limit traffic movement. As a result, many business owners have had to close their shops, while residents are facing disruptions to their daily travel.

Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish opposition DEM Party, said, “Ankara has almost turned into an open-air prison. The entire capital has effectively come to a standstill just to facilitate the movement of a few government motorcades.”

Rumors also circulated that several parks would close so that French President Emmanuel Macron could go jogging in the morning. Turkish authorities, however, denied the claim.

Cost Exceeds $235 Million

The government has not limited its efforts to beautifying the city. Ahead of the summit, authorities renovated a military airport, built new roads, and carried out various infrastructure improvement projects.

According to Turkish media reports, the preparations cost around 11 billion Turkish lira. In Bangladeshi currency, that amounts to several thousand crore taka. The value exceeds $235 million.

The government says the projects are not solely for the summit. It describes them as a long-term investment in improving the capital’s infrastructure for the future.

Business Owners Worried

Local business owners remain unconvinced by that explanation. Umit Arkan, manager of a grocery store, said, “This is a waste of our money. The funds were not spent for ordinary people. They were not used to improve the poor neighborhoods hidden behind the billboards. Everything is being done for foreign heads of state.”

Authorities installed a giant billboard in front of his store, making it difficult for customers to see the business.

He said, “I have to keep the store closed for a week. I still have to pay the salaries of seven employees. I have to pay rent and insurance premiums. But there is no compensation for the losses.”

Flower seller Kadir Kokuc voiced a similar complaint. He said his business depends entirely on visibility.

“People stop when they see plants and flowers. But after the billboards went up, sales dropped by 95 percent,” he said.

“There is nothing we can do. We will have to endure this for another 10 days.”

New Guidelines for Taxi Drivers

The Turkish Taxi Drivers Federation has also launched a special initiative to present a positive image to foreign guests. The organization announced a new dress code for drivers, advising them to wear gray trousers and white shirts while on duty.

The federation has also instructed drivers to welcome passengers with water, the Turkish confection known as Turkish Delight, and cologne.

Federation President Mehmet Yigin said, “This will help showcase Turkey’s culture of hospitality.”

Final Preparations Across the City

For the first time, Ankara has deployed a special mounted police unit. Workers have repaired potholes and leveled uneven manhole covers on sidewalks. Taken together, the efforts have given the capital a new appearance.

Criticism on Social Media

The government’s preparations have sparked widespread humor on social media.

One user wrote, “Now all that is left is to bring the sea to Ankara.”

Another joked, “From now on, beauty parlors will probably offer NATO treatments as well.”

Another widely shared comment read, “If you treat a guest too generously these days, people will say you must be hosting a NATO summit!”

Many Residents Leaving the City

Fearing road closures, traffic congestion, and disruptions to public transportation, many people are leaving Ankara before the summit begins. As a result, tickets for outbound trains and flights have nearly sold out.

Demir Balemir, a recent university graduate, said, “I’m not staying in the city. Many places will be closed, and public transportation will be disrupted.”

Another resident, Simar, expressed frustration, saying, “This beautification is not for us.”

She also referred to a joke circulating on social media: “If Macron traveled by bus, perhaps our buses would finally get air conditioning.”