Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerThe Izmir Economic Development Coordination Board convened for the “City Councils Building”, which is planned to be built in place of the demolished main service building of the Metropolitan Municipality. President Soyer said, “We will not build a building, but a democracy monument.”
İzmir Economic Development Coordination Board (İEKKK), İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer hosted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, which was demolished due to damage after the 30 October Izmir earthquake, the meeting was held about the main service building. At the meeting, the City Councils Building, which is planned to be built in place of the demolished building, and the opening of an idea project competition for this building were discussed. Minister Tunç SoyerStating that they aim to build a monumental parliament building, befitting the centennial of the Republic, he said that the views of the stakeholders in the city will be evaluated before the project is implemented.
“Describe democracy”
Stating that the building, which is planned to be designed in harmony with the cultural heritage in the historical Konak Square, will represent democracy, Mayor Soyer said, “We wanted to build a democracy monument on Şahin Tepesi in Buca, in memory of the 100th anniversary of our Republic. But as we talked, we said why are we building a monument? Since we want to describe democracy, let's build such a building that it describes democracy. We wanted the democracy building to be the monument itself. Let it be a democracy monument with its functions, design, usage areas, lecterns and assembly halls. Let the monument we will build as we enter the second century of the Republic be a parliament building that describes democracy in its own right. Because parliament is the cornerstone of democracy. We will actually be building a democracy monument, not a building.”
“We must protect Konak Square”
President Soyer stated that the building to be built will not be bigger than the Government House and said, “This will be a boutique building. However, even if it is a boutique, it should be a highly attractive building that makes people wonder. The exterior is also important. This should also be a structure that will shed light on the future.”
Speaking about the view that other buildings, especially the public buildings in Konak Square, should undergo a similar transformation, Mayor Soyer said, “This is the heart of İzmir. It is not only geographically central, but also perceptually central. We have room to carry all these public buildings, but Konak Square is only one. We need to protect Konak Square much more," he said.
A monumental building living in the heart of Izmir
After the Chairman Soyer, the Chairman of the Jury, Architect Nevzat Sayın made a presentation on the “Idea Project Competition for the City Councils Building as a Focus of Civilization”. Mr. Sayın said, “Izmir is of great importance for both Anatolia and the Mediterranean. The purpose of the City Councils Building in Konak is to make a monumental structure living in the heart of İzmir. I think that the idea of a civil square that will be created by precious structures and objects that existed there before this structure will be a unique opportunity for İzmir. This will be a place open to the use of not only the city council but also everyone, where civil life and thoughts are shared.”
It will be a small building from the Government House
After the presentation, the floor was left to the members of IEKKK. Expressing their satisfaction that an aesthetic building befitting İzmir will take place in Konak Square, IEKKK members expressed their opinions on the use and features of the building.
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