Transportation Problems of İzmir Cannot Be Solved By Road

Gamze Geçer from Haberekspres spoke with Architect Hasan Topal about the general architectural problems of İzmir. In general, arguing that the discussions should be discussed within the framework of the city plan within the framework of a plan, Topal, for the Gulf Crossing Project, there is no decision regarding the Izmir Gulf Crossing in the plans covering the 2030s for the development of the city of Izmir. In cities like İzmir, where the population has reached 4 million, transportation problems can be solved not by making more trips, but by integrating with the transportation plans that analyze the development targets and offer solutions to the demands within the scope of that development.

- What is your opinion on the Gulf Transition Project and the pollution of the gulf?

In general, all discussions that will be presented in the city should be discussed and evaluated within the framework of city planning within a plan integrity. Therefore, I think that all projects that are the subject of controversy in İzmir should be examined by looking at the city axis, and I will look like that. It can be said that the plans of İzmir at all scales have been completed very recently. Both the one hundred thousand scale Manisa İzmir environmental plan and 25 thousand scale İzmir urban environmental arrangements have been completed. There is no decision regarding the Izmir Bay Crossing in the plans covering the year 2030 for the development of the city of Izmir. In other words, the access demands that arise in the settlement pattern of İzmir are not in the axis of the gulf crossing but in other areas. This is the first thing I will say.

Secondly, in cities such as Izmir, whose population has reached 4 million, transportation problems can be solved not by making more trips, but by integrating with transportation plans that analyze development goals and offer solutions to the demands within the scope of that development. Therefore, urban transportation in cities of this size is not solved by fast and safe public transportation systems, rail transportation systems, and road transportation systems that are not integrated with sea transportation systems in places such as Izmir. No such system has been developed anywhere in the world. There are natural areas in the Çiğli-Mavişehir and İnciraltı-Narlıdere regions, where the Gulf crossing is foreseen. For example, the part in Çiğli is a continuation of Bird Paradise. The same in the south. There are agricultural fields here. There are 3 basic decisions in the project in question. One of them is about 5 km long bridge. Then the 800 meters long artificial island. Then about 4 km deep tunnel. Now one of the most important wealth of the city of Izmir is its gulf. All Izmir residents, all decision makers should consider the cleanliness of the Izmir Bay and provide this city with swimable gulf projects. No program that would hinder and doubt this vision should be offered to the gulf. In this way, these 3 main decisions are artificial obstacles that will directly affect the bottom of the bay. EIA reports and the companies that will carry out the project have demonstrated this. While we have to look at the gulf that I just said, it is possible to say that the bridge and the artificial island suddenly contradict this basic finding in a place where we argue that even a pebble stone that will prevent it from cleaning itself should not be thrown. In short, we criticize that the project, which is an anticipation of the Izmir plans, which will have a direct effect on the gulf, will have a negative impact on the non-development plans, and will not contribute to the transportation of Izmir, to the Izmir gulf. Instead, we propose to use the resource, which has billions of lira to be spent on this bridge, in the development of this city's public transportation systems.

- Talking about public transportation, what do you think about the newly launched tram?

We need to look at the tram on the Izmir transportation master plans. Izmir transportation master plan is based on 3 basic strategies, and update plans still continue. Development of public transportation, gulf transportation and tram axles. From this point, tram can be suggested as one of the city rail systems. However, we have said from the beginning that there are problems in the areas where the tram proposal has become a place in İzmir. We tried to warn. One of them is the tram going from the shore. The idea that it will form a embankment between the sea and the city. The second is that the rail system meets this demand in areas where there is an intense demand for transportation. For example, on the Üçkuyular-Konak and Alaybey-Mavişehir lines, one side of the rail system on the coast of the gulf is north in the tram system in the south and the south in the tram in the north. Places with no population density. Naturally, it will give half capacity due to these preferences. Another issue is a project that is discussed with the design and route selections on the routes it passes. I made a definition like this in the past. Tramway is right as a project and destination. But it is a project with deficiencies and flaws at the application points.

- How do you see the future of the places on the route that the road passes?

Urban infrastructure systems, large infrastructure systems such as tram and metro systems are the backbone of the city as well as being the transformer, developer in their route. If the city manages in a positive way, the city will gain. Negative if not managed. In this respect, the increases in real estate prices in rail corridors such as tramways are the inevitable processes created by the demands and potential for change that I have mentioned.

If you look at the price, 3 years later, this is a different place you say there is a place?

No. I told her in general. It would be more accurate to say that there would be a change in the places where the investment system was invested rather than saying that there would be a few in these places.

- The issue of demolition of halls in Kültürpark was on the agenda for a while. What is it like now? What are your opinions and suggestions?

I can say a general framework. İzmir is a city with a dense structure. In general, the green area is an insufficient city. In this, 1935 thousand square meter green area and Kültürpark area, which was established in 420 in the center of Alsancak, is a great asset and value for İzmir. With this identity, İzmir is a place with great contributions to urban life. An area that makes İzmir very valuable. Since it was integrated with the fair transactions in the past, constructions suitable for the fair concept had to be built. However, in order to meet Izmir's vision of the city of fairs in recent years, the Municipality has provided a very nice fairground for this purpose. However, while doing this, there is another strategy such as removing the large hangars, large buildings required by the fair from Kültürpark and maintaining them only with culture and open area works, since Kültürpark is completely cleared of the fair function. Now at this point, the fair is now successfully held in Gaziemir. However, hangars left from the fair period in Kültürpark should also be removed and removed from the fair area. Local governments had such a vision when it was already done. Now the municipality has displayed another policy, such as making a congress center instead of these structures. There was a tension like this. This culture park is an achievement of this city. This is an area that contributes to the city with its identity. Making a congress center does not add anything to this city. We think that if the congress center is held elsewhere, it can add something to this city. First of all, these huge areas in Kültürpark should be dismantled and the restoration of this area only for the Kültürpark function should be done, all the concrete in Kültürpark should be removed and the roads should be analyzed accordingly. Many of them are already considering the municipality. He has projects related to this. The problem is in another feature of this area. This area is also an area registered as historical SIT. An area with cultural assets. In such areas, it is not possible to equip it with any function without a protection plan. In order to maintain all these privileges, it is necessary to restore structures with cultural functions without making new structures.

In summary, I can say; If the fair is somewhere else, then everyone here now needs to look at it as a park management. More precisely, it is necessary to look at the incident as a Kültürpark management. At this point, such a large public space should not be violated by a function like a congress center. We make suggestions to local government in this sense.

-What do you think about Basmane Pit's progress?

As far as I remember, it is a subject that has been discussed for more than 20 years in İzmir. It was essentially the property of the municipality. It has a very long story. But we have to talk about the latest situation. The conflict there is going on. The land of the local government has been sold. The biggest conflict started here. It was not found right to use the public land for commercial purposes by selling it. That's why the plans are always canceled. I think the capital groups that got it were transferred to the SDIF due to the economic crises. They sold it too. Now another capital group has bought it and is trying to do something on its own.

The work to be done in Basmane Pit should not crush Kültürpark. Another point is that the Metropolitan Municipality building will be built there. Having a business center inside the town hall is a big question mark. I don't find this right. In other words, instead of making a congress center in the fair, a congress center can be built there.

The highest building since the first day must be built there. Already in the world of high buildings in the sense of prestige in the sense of capital is the show of power. From this point of view, Basmane Square is not the area where this power show will be held. I hope everyone can contribute to a different project by thinking more safe.

Today, cities are evaluated in terms of quality of life. Quality of life is determined by many parameters. A wide range of parameters, from public transportation to commercial life, economy and architecture, determines the quality of life of a city. The most important parameter is the nature of their architecture. The more qualified architects in a city, the more they contribute to the quality of life. The urbanization of buildings is essential for us. So I never see an artificial tension, such as vertical or horizontal construction, as a true and healthy perspective. Where the plans foreseen, there may be high and horizontal construction. However, the crisis and absurd development in our cities is this: High construction should not be made to the place where high, horizontal construction is not required to be made horizontal construction. For example, in all areas of the city all over the building. This is the city that has to give up. When making plans, it must be appropriate to the historical heritage of the city.

- How long is that applicable?

The city produces rent. The problem is that the city produces unfair and privileged rent. Economic policy is also based on the construction sector. Essentially, if the programs in the division of this rent can participate in life in a healthy way, that is, when a person receives a very high rent in one place and there is a very healthy return to the public, that is, how much of it will be transformed into the city's transportation, health and cultural areas, there will not be such an orientation. Today's plans encourage the opposite. They are very dangerous in terms of future quality of life. I consider the urbanization to be unplanned, and the fact that it is more likely to aim for rent.

-Bayraklıdoes air pollution in Turkey have to do with construction?

BayraklıI don't know if the air pollution in Turkey is related to the construction there. But in general, Turkey to talk about a possible air pollution in the city, there are many parameters related thereto. First, we can talk about the fuel used in heating. Many cities have switched to natural gas systems, their carbon emissions are low, but the poor are still using coal, and in some regions this concentration can be intensified due to the effect of air corridors brought by natural geography on shingles. Actually, I think this is an issue that can be solved by supervision. Does structuring have a direct effect on this, but I do not know if it exists. The dominant winds of İzmir are mostly northern winds, in a sense, afternoon immigration, its lodo. Izmir's city form macro form or topography, usually rising directly from the bay in the size of accumulation, Bayraklı We also know that there are other factors in regions such as Çiğli. See According to a study conducted at Ege University, air pollution in Aliağa, where heavy industrial facilities are located, which also has particle pollution and directly affects İzmir with prevailing winds, these are likely to cause serious health problems in the future.

Undoubtedly, warming pollution can also be discussed, but I do not have analytical information about the link between construction and pollution. But I know that, for example, in zoning plans BayraklıNarrow surfaces of the buildings that have a perpendicular surface to the sea would be facing parallel to the sea in the construction in the city centers of Istanbul, would not look at the large surfaces, now is it? This is also a subject of discussion. This decision was made by aiming to enter the micro air conditioner in the sea in the preparation process of the zoning plan, it can be discussed whether this horizontal planning spoils it or not.

Electrical Factory is important in terms of city history

-The Historical Air Gas Factory was renovated by Metropolitan. There is an Electricity Factory on the agenda. Do you think it should be sold or handed over to the metropolitan municipality?

Electrical Factory and its environment, 19. at the end of the century and 20. At the beginning of the century or even early republican industrial zone can be defined as. The İzmir industry is concentrated there, when the Air Gas Plant, the Electric Factory, the oriental industry, the Sumerbank, the State Railways, the Monopoly, the flour mill, the wine factory and other small factories. Of course, with the establishment of organized industrial zones over time they became idle.

These are of great importance in terms of urban history, industrial history and architectural history. In fact, in 1996, when I was still a young secretary, we applied to the cultural and natural heritage institution that these structures are industrial heritage and should be protected. In 98, the Board No. 1 registered the Electric Factory, the Air Gas Factory, the orient industry factory and some other small areas there, saying that the workshop workshops should be protected in the context of industrial archeology. This was the right approach. In terms of the history of the city, it has serious importance in terms of the effects of İzmir on the formation of space.

The first regular electricity came with this light. Even II. Unwarranted during World War II Karşıyaka Turyan Power Plant was commissioned by supporting the Alsancak East Industry Power Plant. There is such a spatial process in war conditions, especially during fair times when demand for energy has increased. If we look at all this, it is necessary to protect the old industrial structures and regain their urban life. Well, when it comes to how these are brought to the city life, there are some approaches for these places all over the world since the 1950s. First, what needs to go in the city of Izmir, he can easily say that we look at: the city of Izmir, Turkey has quite inadequate in many places in the city, such as art and culture context. While functioning like this, the building itself, which is registered here and needs to be preserved, should definitely not be demolished. These can be used as an industrial museum, a science museum, a cultural center, and can be brought to city life. These structures are already suitable for carrying out many functions in terms of land and spatial size, construction and structure features. One of the best examples of this is the Historical Air Gas Factory. Metropolitan restored the rate, again the flour factory. Therefore, I think that the sale of the Electric Factory must be abolished and transferred to the Metropolitan Municipality. In order to be used for these purposes, Metropolitan has had such positive demands in the near future. Again, when I was working in the municipality, there was such a demand in 2002. This place should definitely be brought to the city life to be used with cultural functions. The Mayor and the Metropolitan Municipality have very correct and positive strategies in this sense. Again, in 1999, I had a defense saying, 'This factory should be preserved, it should be brought to city life' and it still exists.