In Malatya, which entered the restructuring process after the February 6 earthquakes, the works carried out in the fields of infrastructure, water security, energy and environmental sustainability, as well as housing production, were discussed at COP31. Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Sami Er shared data regarding the city's reconstruction process and future projects at the "Resilient Cities" panel held in Antalya.
At COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Turkey, the relationship between post-earthquake reconstruction and adaptation to climate change was brought to the agenda. Speaking at the panel moderated by Urban Transformation President Hakkı Alp, Sami Er stated that the transformation that Malatya went through after the earthquake was not limited to just construction, but the city's infrastructure and living systems were also reconsidered.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF 125 THOUSAND INDEPENDENT SECTIONS HAS BEEN COMPLETED
Giving information about the extent of the reconstruction works in Malatya after the earthquake, Er stated that 105 thousand 265 independent sections, including 91 thousand 732 residences and 13 thousand 533 commercial units, were built by the state. He reported that the total number reached 125 thousand 19 with the 19 thousand 754 independent sections built within the scope of on-site transformation.
WATER OUTAGE AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE BROUGHT THE ALTERNATIVE PROJECT TO THE AGENDA
One of the prominent topics in the presentation was Malatya's drinking water safety. Reminding that the city was without water for three days after the February 6 earthquakes, Er said that the subsequent turbidity and new earthquakes revealed the risks on water resources.
Explaining that they are working on a project to bring alternative drinking water from the Euphrates Basin to Malatya against these risks, Er stated that a new treatment plant will be established within the scope of the project with a budget of approximately 70 million euros. Stating that the feasibility studies have been completed, Er noted that the project process has reached the final stage and tender preparations will be made.
It is planned to add 2 thousand 50 kilometers of lines, 383 tanks, 271 boreholes and 170 water sources to the system with an investment of 136 million euros for drinking water infrastructure in the city. 572 kilometers of line work is being carried out in the sewer infrastructure and 33 kilometers in the rainwater infrastructure.
MANAGEMENT OF 10 MILLION TONS OF DEBRISATION IS ALSO PART OF THE TRANSFORMATION
Stating that approximately 10 million tons of debris was formed in Malatya after the earthquakes, Er said that studies were carried out with a support of 10 million euros to separate and recycle the debris.
Stating that 250 decares of green space was obtained as a result of the rehabilitation of the old waste storage area, Er stated that it is planned to create a new national garden and living space in an 80-hectare area.
Stating that a new waste storage area was created in the Kapıkaya region with an investment of 11 million euros, Er stated that it is aimed to produce gas and electrical energy from waste here.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND RAIL SYSTEM TARGET IN TRANSPORTATION
Making evaluations regarding Malatya's transportation infrastructure, Er stated that 66 million euros of road investment has been completed so far and 657 kilometers of asphalt paving has been carried out.
Stating that the Northern and Southern Belt roads have been opened to transportation and the 54-kilometer Northern Ring Road has been completed, Er said that the second viaduct to Beylerderesi, alternative connection roads and a 12-kilometer rail system project are also on the agenda.
In order to reduce carbon emissions in public transportation, it is planned to add 100 electric buses to the fleet and convert 80 diesel buses to electric systems. It was reported that the city's energy production capacity was increased to 75.8 megawatts.
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITY IN NEW SETTLEMENT AREAS
Stating that the infrastructure needs of the new residential areas created after the earthquake were also included in the planning, Er announced that a 30-kilometer collector line and wastewater treatment plant were implemented with an investment of 39.3 million euros in the İkizce region, where approximately 200 thousand people are expected to live. Stating that the facility has become operational, Er emphasized that new residential areas should be evaluated not only with housing production but also with their environmental infrastructure.
Stating that the construction of 13 new libraries, 15 youth centers and 43 sports facilities is continuing in order to re-establish social life in the city, Er stated that it is aimed to put 20 new sports facilities into service in 2027.
Drawing attention to the importance of coordination of central and local governments in the restructuring process of Malatya, Sami Er stated that the experiences gained after the earthquake could contribute to future urbanization policies.
Er summarized the basic approach of the work carried out in Malatya with the words: "We did not just heal the wounds of the earthquake. We built the Malatya of the future."
