The Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Mehmet Özhaseki has revealed a complete four-step highway map for the city transformation of Istanbul, emphasizing the urgency of getting ready the town for potential disasters, significantly earthquakes.
In an unique interview with SETA General Coordinator Burhanettin Duran for the February difficulty of Kriter journal, Özhaseki outlined the numerous steps to handle the dangers going through one and a half million impartial models in Istanbul.
Highlighting the continuing reconstruction and zoning efforts in earthquake-prone areas, Özhaseki acknowledged, “We are trying to prepare Istanbul for disasters through urban transformation.” He famous that 800,000 impartial sections in Istanbul had already been remodeled since 2012, with a further 170,941 presently in progress. Urgent consideration is directed on the 600,000 residences requiring instant transformation.
The minister careworn the necessity for expeditious motion, saying, “We have no time to waste for Istanbul.” The four-step highway map he outlined is as follows:
1. Remove Obstacles to Transformation: The ministry goals to facilitate the transformation course of by addressing authorized impediments by new laws, making certain the town is prepared for numerous disasters, significantly earthquakes.
2. Accelerate Transformation in Reserve Areas: The plan includes setting up 400,000 homes in designated reserve areas inside the metropolis to hasten the city transformation course of.
3. “Half of Them is on Us” Campaign: This initiative goals to rework 350,000 homes, with the marketing campaign involving collaborative efforts between the ministry, the municipality and residents.
4. Build 100,000 Social Housing Units: The last step focuses on setting up 100,000 social housing models in Istanbul, contributing to the great renewal of areas requiring pressing transformation.
Özhaseki emphasised the collaborative nature of those efforts, involving the ministry, the municipality, and most crucially, the residents. He famous that the success of campaigns and initiatives displays the harmonious cooperation between stakeholders. The bold highway map underscores the dedication to making sure the protection and resilience of Istanbul within the face of potential disasters.
Addressing the “Half is on Us” marketing campaign, the minister acknowledged: “Under the framework of our ‘Transformation of the Century Istanbul Project’ and the ‘Urban Transformation Half is on Us’ campaign, we’ve initiated the first contracts with 500 people across 100 buildings. This campaign, aiming to transform 350,000 houses, kickstarted with all stages, including signature, demolition and construction. The ministry is committed to providing substantial support totaling TL 1.5 million ($49,254), comprising a TL 700,000 grant, a TL 700,000 loan, and TL 100,000 of evacuation support, with a repayment period of 10 years. We’ve received applications for 1.2 million independent sections in 106,225 buildings through our ‘Half of It is on Us Campaign.'”
Additionally, Minister Özhaseki shared updates on developments within the earthquake area on the anniversary of Feb. 6: “There are 2,376,167 buildings in the earthquake region, containing 6.6 million independent sections. Despite minor changes due to objections, we’ve identified 680,000 residences, 170,000 shops, warehouses and other independent sections severely damaged and rendered unusable, with a resulting cost of $110 billion. We are committed to safely rebuilding every home and workplace damaged in the disaster area, making our cities more beautiful and safer than before. We’re actively working on constructing 207,000 independent sections in reserve areas and 50,000 village houses, utilizing steel frames and stone wool with advanced construction technology.”
Minister Özhaseki highlighted the flagship Zero Waste Project and emphasised that the combat in opposition to local weather change is a collective duty past politics. Concluding his remarks, he acknowledged: “Together, we will fortify our country against potential disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change. Our shared goal is to create secure, identity-driven living spaces with a smart city concept, employing horizontal architecture and embracing zero waste principles, befitting the ‘Century of Türkiye.'”
Source: www.dailysabah.com