Hakkı Alp, Head of Urban Transformation of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, said that they started meetings with citizens at the Urban Transformation Office established in Ayazağa District of Sarıyer district, which was affected by floods and floods.
Alp, in his statement at the office opened for service, explained that AFAD, General Directorate of Security, General Command of Gendarmerie, Red Crescent, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and relevant institutions are working in the field under the coordination of the Governorship.
Stating that the safety of citizens was primarily ensured and their temporary shelter and food needs were met with the support of the municipalities, Alp stated that following the findings made by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, the demolition of the structures that needed to be removed within the scope of stream rehabilitation started.
Alp noted that the Urban Transformation Directorate carried out the demolition for 2 days in coordination with the Governorship, and the demolition of the last building was continuing.
Pointing out that the stream improvement works will be carried out by İSKİ, Alp emphasized that these works are a priority in terms of taking precautions against disasters that may occur in the future.
TWO TRANSFORMATION OPTIONS ARE OFFERED IN AYAZAĞA
Alp stated that two different transformation models are being worked on for permanent solutions in the region and continued as follows:
"The office we are in today is the office of our Urban Transformation Directorate. We started negotiations with our citizens for our urban transformation activities in permanent works. Two important options were presented. In one, we underline and further explain to our citizens our 'Half is on Us' campaign, which has been going on in our Istanbul province for about 2 years. Within the scope of this campaign, approximately 118 thousand independent units in Istanbul in 39 districts of our citizens will make an agreement with their neighbors and enable them to meet with the contractor of their choice, and receive an 875 thousand lira loan from our Urban Transformation Directorate. "They continue their work and transformation with our support, receiving 875 thousand liras of grant and 125 thousand liras of moving support."
Underlining that the second option is area-based transformation, Alp pointed out that if the citizens of Ayazağa come together with their neighbors and demand an area-based transformation, the project will be designed by the Urban Transformation Directorate.
"WE CALCULATE THE COSTS"
Alp explained that after the determinations are made and the buildings are demolished, construction activities will be carried out by TOKİ, an organization of the Ministry.
Giving information about the payment conditions of citizens in area-based transformation, Alp said, "In area-based transformations, we calculate the current valuations and costs of our citizens. Discounts are provided upon this by the Presidential decision. Citizens' payments are easily provided in the long term and the transformation is carried out." he said.
Pointing out the importance of the transformation made with both methods for Istanbul and Ayazağa, Alp explained the work carried out after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023.
Alp stated that there are 118 thousand independent units in Istanbul that continue or complete their transformation within the scope of the "Half of It is on Us" campaign, and that work on 128 thousand independent units continues in area-based studies carried out by the Urban Transformation Directorate and TOKİ.
"WE WANT TO TRANSFORM THE WHOLE AYAZAĞA"
Noting that the office established in Ayazağa will remain open as long as the citizens wish, and that reconciliation processes will be carried out by informing them about both transformation methods, Alp said, "Our goal is to carry out works to transform at least 2-3 island-based islands in the Ayazağa region in 2027. We want to transform the whole of Ayazağa. Because, in our detailed findings, with the flood, we observe that the buildings are unlicensed, illegal, have completed their economic life, and that they are becoming obsolete, not only related to the flood." he said.
