Ankara is undergoing a significant cosmetic overhaul ahead of the Nato summit, including extensive landscaping, billboard installations, and infrastructure improvements costing over $235 million. These efforts aim to present a polished image to the 32 heads of state attending, including US President Donald Trump. However, the preparations – alongside strict security measures involving road closures and business disruptions – are drawing criticism from residents and opposition politicians. Critics like Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the DEM party, argue the city has been effectively locked down for the convenience of visiting dignitaries. Rumors of park closures to accommodate individual presidential routines have further fuelled discontent. While authorities frame the projects as long-term investments, locals feel like unwelcome guests in their own city due to the extensive security and logistical changes. The summit promises high-stakes discussions, but at a considerable cost to daily life for Ankara’s nearly six million residents.