Minister Kurum: We will not stop until we finish the risky building stock in Istanbul

Bigpara News Center

Created Date: November 20, 2024 09:27

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change provides all kinds of convenience to citizens by strengthening Istanbul, which is at risk of earthquake, with urban transformation. Şişecam Blocks in Güngören were also rebuilt in a short period of 1.5 years, under the coordination of the Urban Transformation Directorate, with the construction assurance of TOKİ.

Residents of Şişecam blocks in Güngören, Istanbul, applied to the Urban Transformation Directorate of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to renovate their houses that have succumbed to time. With 100 percent agreement from the rights holders, the Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ) undertook the construction. The foundations were laid on May 29, 2022.

The new living spaces, consisting of 223 independent units, were completed in a short period of one and a half years. 9 months ago, the houses were delivered to the beneficiaries by lottery method.

MINISTER INSTITUTION: LET IT BE AN EXAMPLE FOR EVERYONE

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, shared the images of the new Şişecam residences on his social media account and invited Istanbulites to urban transformation: We talk less, we work hard. We laid the foundation 2 years ago. Our citizens have been living in peace and security for 9 months. Let the residents of Şişecam Residences in Güngören be an example to everyone. They agreed, they wanted to renovate their homes with TOKİ, and we delivered their disaster-resistant homes to our families. We will not stop until we finish the risky building stock in Istanbul.

A SAFE LIVING SPACE HAS BEEN CREATED AGAINST EARTHQUAKE

Urban Transformation Directorate Marmara Urban Transformation Directorate Branch Manager Zeynep İnan stated that an exemplary transformation has been completed in the region. İnan said, “Here, it is not just about demolishing and constructing buildings; A qualified living space with a children’s playground, parking area, integrated with its surroundings, resistant to earthquakes was created. Our rights holders reached an agreement in a very short time, like one month. The construction of the houses started and the lots were drawn. Everyone’s apartments were transformed and delivered on-site. “The construction process started 6 months after the compromise and we completed and delivered it before the end of 2 years,” he said.

“WE GOT OUR OLD NEIGHBORS”

Citizens who moved to their new homes called for urban transformation to Istanbulites living at earthquake risk. Aysel Subaşı, one of the beneficiaries, said, “They said the house was small, but when I stepped into my house, it was as if I entered heaven. I opened the door. ‘If this is the smaller one, which one is the larger one?’ I said… I mean, it’s a house that suits our hearts. We are happy, we are at peace, thank God. We reunited with our neighbors. “We were so happy that we reunited with each other like a sheep reunites with a lamb,” he said.

“NOW EVERYONE WANTS TO GIVE THEIR BUILDINGS TO TOKI”

Seyfullah Tekin, one of the citizens, explained the transformation process of their houses as follows: They started demolition. The bulldozer hit it with its bucket and the building collapsed with a bang. There was no such thing as foundation. We saw the condition of the foundation of the building. During the transformation, they made bored pile systems. They made the foundations and connections solid. We saw the houses being built. Now everyone wants to give their building to TOKİ. They say ‘TOKİ’s buildings are solid, we are not afraid’. If we tried to do this right now, we couldn’t do it. We have an elevator in our new buildings. We didn’t have a park for our children before. But now we have a safe park.

“URBAN TRANSFORMATION IS A BEAUTIFUL THING”

Stating that their 50-year-old house has undergone urban transformation, the rightful owner Şefik Elmalı said, “Many contractors came, but ultimately we decided on TOKİ. We laid the foundation of this place with Mr. Murat Kurum two years ago. My previous flat was also on the third floor. This turned out to be the third floor. I’m happy for him. “Urban transformation is a beautiful thing,” he said.