Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş said that the trauma of the century's disaster centered in Kahramanmaraş, beyond the loss of life and property, cannot be overcome in 10-20 years, according to some. Stating that they have to talk about urban transformation more and take important decisions and risks in order to avoid similar suffering in Bursa, Mayor Aktaş said, "We should move urban transformation from being an unprofitable transformation and take quick decisions by thinking about our future," he said.
Organized by Bursa City Council with the support of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, 'Bursa Speaks' event was held at Atatürk Congress and Culture Center with the 'Earthquake Resistant Bursa Panel'. Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş, TÜBİTAK President Hasan Mandal, Bursa City Council President Şevket Orhan, university rectors, academicians, representatives of academic chambers and all sides of the issue showed great interest in the panel.
We must hold tight
Speaking at the opening of the panel, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş said that he went to the region many times after the disaster of the century, and that he was in Hatay again last week. Drawing attention to the magnitude of the disaster, Mayor Aktaş said, “Once again, we saw that the earthquake is very painful, the wounds do not heal easily. In addition to the loss of life and property, psychological losses should not be underestimated. According to some, 3-5 years, according to others, this trauma cannot be overcome in 10-20 years. For this reason, I would like to remind you that we need to hold our hands more tightly. Definitely, the main motto of the next process is urban transformation. We need to talk more about urban transformation, take important decisions and take risks. We need to take important institutional steps related to this business in Turkey's fourth largest city like Bursa," he said.
Building inventory is being completed
Reminding that they revealed the ground situation of the whole Bursa at the end of the 3-year study together with TÜBİTAK during the data collection process of the Environmental Plan, where the studies are still ongoing, President Aktaş said that the building inventory of approximately 650 thousand buildings has been created and 80% of it has been completed. Noting that this study has been completed for the central Osmangazi, Nilüfer, Yıldırım, Gürsu and Kestel districts and that the analysis of the other districts will be completed in a short time, President Aktaş said, “Besides, we have a study with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). We also work with the relevant departments of our universities. In the project area of 2023 thousand square meters, which continues and is targeted throughout Bursa in 870; 1968 buildings – 7592 independent sections will be demolished, and the construction of 9.980 residences will begin. As a result, our work; ground classification and seismic hazard mapping, superstructure works, studies on zoning plan, creation of urban transformation strategy document and implementation. In addition, we continue to work with our Earthquake Science Board.”
The peddler treatment of urban transformation
Expressing that the great earthquake affected everyone a lot, but he started to lose his warmth, Mayor Aktaş said, “Izmir earthquake 15-20 days, Elazig earthquake 1 month later, 4 months after the disaster of the century, we started to forget, we are returning to our normal life. The question I've been asked most frequently lately: 'When will urban transformation come to our place?'. Urban transformation seems to be thought of as a peddler. 'When will he come here'. There is so much demand in certain regions. Everyone should know that this will be done within the framework of the law, with the financial requirement and with a business plan. Look, some municipalities in Turkey do not talk about urban transformation at all. It's a very risky area. Which politician would want to enter such a risky area? Serious steps have been taken in recent years, but are they enough? Not. The hearts of all stakeholders, specific to the city, should be struck together. We need to put together willpower. If we see it as a tool to criticize and bring someone back politically, it is not possible for us to go a long way. I also live in this city and I will continue my life in this city. We all live in this city together. I beg you, we need to act jointly with NGOs to raise awareness at this point," he said.
We need to make a series of decisions.
Underlining that there are things that everyone can do about urban transformation in Bursa, Mayor Aktaş said, “We have to take the urban transformation from being a profiteering transformation and really think about our future. While eliminating these unhealthy structures, we need to take steps together in order to tidy up the silhouette of the city and make it more livable. We need to move faster in Bursa. The scenery in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman is truly disastrous. It is not possible to see these places and make the same mistakes here. My expectation and desire is that if all municipalities, regardless of academic chambers, institutions and political parties, show their reaction together and improve their decision-making ability, we will have good results for Bursa. It will never be possible to finish them all, but we need to act faster and take quick decisions.”
Natural disasters will increase
In his presentation on risk maps, TÜBİTAK President Hasan Mandal said that natural disasters will be encountered more frequently than in the past. Reminding that the earthquake is only one of these disasters, Mandal said, “We are all aware that we are also exposed to more natural disasters. If we remember 2 years ago, flood disasters, fires and mucilage… We will experience more raw material crises in the future. Again, the concept of migration is an important element. We think of the concept of migration as migration from across our borders, but we have experienced significant migration within the country. We will experience more internal migration. Floods, fires, earthquakes and this type of migration will be among the important agenda topics in the future.
Bursa City Council President Şevket Orhan emphasized that the earthquake is an inevitable reality for Bursa as well, so all stakeholders in Bursa should take responsibility for taking permanent measures regarding it.