ANKARA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- As Ankara prepares to host NATO leaders, residents across the Turkish capital are bracing for a week of road closures, heightened security measures and widespread restrictions that are expected to disrupt daily life during one of the busiest periods of the summer.
The NATO heads of state and government summit, scheduled for July 7-8, will bring together leaders from the alliance's 32 member states, along with thousands of delegates, security personnel, journalists and support staff, making it one of the largest international events ever hosted by Ankara.
Authorities have announced extraordinary security arrangements extending beyond the two-day summit itself. A total of 70,000 security personnel will be deployed during the summit, according to semi-official Anadolu Agency.
The Ankara governor's office has banned all meetings, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies and similar activities from June 28 until July 10. Public events, including concerts, festivals and large gatherings, have also been restricted, while extensive traffic controls are expected around summit venues, hotels hosting delegations and key transportation routes.
Businesses located near government buildings and major hotels are also preparing for a potentially challenging week as security perimeters are expanded and access becomes more restricted.
The anticipated disruptions have already become a major topic of discussion among residents and business owners in the city of more than 5 million people.
"I leave home early every morning to avoid traffic, but during the summit I have no idea how long my commute will take," Gamze Gursoy, a dentist living in the Cankaya district, told Xinhua.
Physiotherapist Atilgan Koyuncu said employees at his clinic have been discussing contingency plans in case restrictions make commuting difficult. "If the restrictions are extensive, some people may not be able to reach their workplaces or their patients."
Security expert Ozgur Eksi said large-scale international summits inevitably require extraordinary precautions.
"Hosting dozens of heads of state and government simultaneously presents an enormous security challenge," Eksi told Xinhua. "This naturally creates disruptions for local residents."
According to Eksi, Ankara's role as the host city means authorities must strike a balance between maintaining normal urban activity and implementing the security measures required. "The challenge is to minimize the impact on daily life while ensuring security standards."
Preparations have intensified in recent weeks as authorities work to upgrade infrastructure and transportation facilities ahead of the summit.
A former military airport in Ankara has received a facelift to accommodate protocol flights arriving for the event, helping reduce pressure on Esenboga Airport, the capital's main international gateway. Public sector employees across central districts of Ankara have also been granted administrative leave from July 6 to 12 to help ease traffic congestion.
While Türkiye seeks to reinforce its position as an important diplomatic actor within NATO and the broader international community by hosting the meeting, residents are primarily focused on the practical disruptions and daily consequences of such a major event.
"People understand why security measures are necessary," Gursoy said. "The main concern is whether we will be able to get to work, take our children to school or move around the city without spending hours in traffic."■
