Hülya Ataoglu, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Meet Hülya Ataoglu – Nominated by London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Leading transport strategy in Hammersmith & Fulham

Hülya Ataoglu is a Principal Transport Planner at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, where she leads the Council's Transport Strategy function.

In her role, she is responsible for setting the borough-wide transport strategy, policy framework and evidence base. This includes shaping the Local Implementation Plan (LIP), defining funding priorities and developing a pipeline of transport schemes.

Her team develops transport strategies and policies that align with the Mayor's Transport Strategy and wider corporate priorities, including achieving net zero. Their work focuses on ensuring transport options are efficient, inclusive and accessible for all residents. 

Delivering sustainable transport priorities

Hammersmith & Fulham has a strong climate agenda, with sustainable transport playing a central role in supporting the Council's climate goals by improving access to sustainable travel options.

Current priorities include expanding micromobility, delivering safer and more connected cycling infrastructure, and enhancing the borough's EV charging network to make it more efficient, reliable and accessible.

Hülya's team develops the strategies and policies that turn these ambitions into a deliverable pipeline of transport schemes by developing the evidence base for investment decisions, assessing the feasibility of new infrastructure, securing external funding and coordinating with consultants and delivery teams. 

Creating more sustainable and inclusive streets

For Hülya, one of the biggest mobility challenges in Hammersmith & Fulham is managing competing demands for limited kerbside space in a dense, space-constrained borough.

Looking ahead, she would like to see streets where walking, cycling and public transport are the natural and most convenient choices, with greener streets, climate-resilient design, affordable public transport and kerbside space rebalanced towards greener, healthier and more inclusive uses.

Why the Emerging Leaders program? 

Hülya heard about the EIT Urban Mobility Emerging Leaders program through colleagues at Hammersmith & Fulham who participated in previous cohorts and nominated her after sharing the value they gained from the experience.

She chose the program because of its focus on leadership, systems thinking and its ability to bridge public and private sector perspectives. She also values its coaching-based approach, peer learning and access to a European network of peers.

Strengthening leadership for greater impact

Through the program, Hülya hopes to expand her understanding of emerging trends in urban mobility across both the public and private sectors while strengthening her strategic leadership skills, particularly her ability to shape long-term strategy, influence stakeholders across organisational boundaries and lead through complexity and change. 

The program aligns closely with her ambition to play a leading role in shaping an ambitious, inclusive and evidence-led transport strategy at Hammersmith & Fulham that accelerates progress towards net zero and improves equitable access to sustainable mobility. She also hopes to contribute to the wider urban mobility community by sharing learning and influencing best practice.