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Civil Engineer Cemal Doğan made statements about urban transformation.

*** This release is originally published in Turkish.
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İSTANBUL (TR) - Civil Engineer Cemal Doğan, who has been active in the construction sector for years and has worked in both management and implementation in many large projects, made statements about urban transformation. Doğan emphasized that a right transformation move should be handled as a vital problem rather than political conflicts.

We can't turn our backs on earthquake reality

Stating that the buildings especially the ones that were constructed before 1999 must be examined in detail, Doğan said, “Turkey's general x-rays should be taken. Especially, buildings built before 1999 should definitely be examined. If this is done, reconstruction and construction processes such as spatial renewal and urban transformation can be accelerated. If there are problems with the ground in a region, the settlement can be transferred to an area with more solid ground. According to the TBMM Investigation Commission Report, 112,735 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged in the August 17 earthquake. 124,131 buildings were affected moderately and 128,042 buildings were affected with minor damage. While we have this picture lived in front of our eyes, in a big city like Istanbul, which is the heart of the country's economy, we have to make all our plans earthquake-centered. This issue concerns everyone. We cannot turn our backs on this fact. This reality ahead obliges us to rapidly initiate a correct, sustainable and manageable urban transformation process.”

We are obliged to urban transformation!

Stating that the necessity is more important than whether transformation is possible or not in the economic conditions of our country, Cemal Doğan continued his words as follows: “In the shadow of the earthquake reality, increasing the life welfare of the cities and the citizens, meeting the needs such as parking lot, social space, cultural space, education areas is only the right one. It is possible with urban transformation and planning. Construction is a sector with high economic value. Each transformation will increase the value of the buildings at the end of the day. So instead of looking at the economic conditions and despairing, it is necessary to see the surplus value and act.”

What kind of an urban transformation model should it be?

Drawing attention to systems and laws in urban transformation, Doğan said, “If we look at the issue only as demolishing and rebuilding the building, the system will be locked. We see a result that goes down to the individual economy of individuals, in which case the transformation does not occur, and it does not happen. First of all, it is completely based on commercial concerns and individuality, infrastructure, traffic, parking, etc. We need to put an end to the tear-and-build approach in which no detail is taken into account. Island-based, regional studies should be planned instead of an understanding that provides people with profits. All social and vital needs of the region must be taken into account. Areas that will add value such as infrastructure, connection roads, car parks, green areas, city squares should be created. However, if done this way, the transformation gains an economic structure that includes its own cost.”

The biggest obstacle is personal unearned income ambition

Civil Engineer Cemal Doğan pointed out that the majority of the buildings in Istanbul are 35-60 years old and said: “If it had been requested after the 1999 earthquake, this transformation would have been completed by now. In the intervening 20 years, the empty spaces of the city and the military areas were sacrificed for rent. Although urban transformation started with great enthusiasm, unfortunately this did not happen due to administrative reasons and relationships of personal interest and interest. Urban transformation, on the other hand, is done entirely with commercial anxiety. We see this commercial concern in Kadıköy, Fikirtepe, Bakırköy, Ataköy coast, Başakşehir slum areas, certain areas of Bağcılar and many similar districts. The next thing to do is obvious. If transformation is desired, projects with increased spatial quality should be focused on rather than building transformation in accordance with the master plan. The value exchange between the old and the new building should be determined in the areas to be transformed into an earthquake-oriented transformation. Square meter discussions must come to an end.”

There are three main pillars of transformation

Stating that in urban transformation, citizens have duties to municipalities and the government, Doğan said, “There is a triangle in urban transformation projects. The government is at the top of the triangle, and the municipalities and the people at the bottom. These three groups must work in harmony. Turkey unfortunately not establish a direct link between this triangle. Such an important issue has been sacrificed to political conflicts. In the urban transformation, the burden fell on the shoulders of the citizens. If the building is declared risky, it should be given the project approval without wasting time and without financial burden to the citizen, and a healthy construction should be paved. The ministries and municipalities should approach the issue in a more coordinated and scientific way.”

"Avcılar Model" draws attention

Cemal Doğan, who also evaluated the urban transformation process that started in Avcılar, ended his words as follows: “Today, our district that shines in transformation to Istanbul is Avcılar. Transformation started with the system called Avcılar Model. More than 6 thousand of the 50 thousand houses that need to be renovated in Avcılar have been renewed so far. It is stated that with the renewals to be carried out in 2021, the number will exceed 15 thousand. Avcılar Mayor Turan Hançerli states that until 2029, there will be no risky buildings in Avcılar that will cause death and injury to people, including areas that are currently unplanned. With this model, a voluntary and consensus-based system was developed in Avcılar in the transformation process. The Avcular Model can be adapted across the country and set an example. I congratulate the Mayor of Avcılar Turan Hançerli, who developed and resolved the most important problem of the city with all the mechanisms of politics as soon as he took office.”