“One who does not know the past cannot understand the present, and one who does not know the present cannot plan for the future.” 
– Confucius (551 BCE – 479 BCE)

Panel Summary: SEARCHING FOR AN INCLUSIVE AND CITIZEN-PROTECTIVE APPROACH IN URBAN TRANSFORMATION | #UrbanTransformation | #İstanbul | #Türkiye | #KentselDonusum
Presented at the 41st TÜYAP International İstanbul Book Fair | Beylikdüzü Campus, Büyükada Hall on November 4, 2024.

Initially Published in Turkish in www.isikbinyili.org on November 14, 2024
Translated from Turkish by Mimoza IRTEM, Youth Rep. of the LMGlobal.Org to the United Nations Department of Global Communications | #UNWithCivilSociety

ENTRY NOTE:
The concept of this panel initially evolved based on the “Can Suyu Geliyor” (Lifewater Is Coming) by the Mayor of Istanbul Grand Municipalities, Mr. Ekrem Imamoglu, titled news that appeared in Turkish newspapers and social media on July 5, 2024. Based on that, Isikbinyili.Org published comprehensive ideas both in support of the #UrbanTransformation #KentselDonusum in Istanbul and Turkiye at large, along with in support of the UN 2030 Development Agenda, in particular, in connection with the #SDG-6:Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG-7: Affordable and clean energy., SDG-9: Industry, innovation, and Infrastructure; and in particular, SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Peaceful Communities, along with SDG-15: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The initial news inspired me to reach out to the Office of the Mayor of the Grand City Istanbul (Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi #IBB) during the last week of July 2024, which received a speedy reply. That initial connection through LMGlobal.Org, along with conflicting scheduling issues, led it to target the 41st TUYAP Istanbul Book Fair in November 2024, which was initially envisioned virtually in August 2024.
The panel has delivered its promises and accomplished the overarching goal by bringing together side by side an expert on the issue from the IBB’s relevant department along with experts/professionals, professors, and academicians on the issue, including an opinion from the legal perspective.
Although there has been another major change in the #UrbanTransformation law in Turkiye (2. Torba Yasa – November 2024 ).
Regardless of the latest law in November 2024 (#TorbaYasa2), the panel provided both a historical perspective and solutions from multiple perspectives, along with illustrating key challenges on the way. – Bircan Ünver, LMGlobal.Org

[LMGlobal.Org] As part of the 41st TÜYAP International İstanbul Book Fair, Işık Binyılı Multimedia, Culture, Social Support, and Development Association organized a panel in collaboration with LMGlobal.Org on November 4, 2024, titled “Searching for an Inclusive and Citizen-Protective Approach in Urban Transformation” (Kentsel Dönüşümde Kapsayıcı ve Vatandaşı Koruyucu Bir Yaklaşım Arayışı), moderated by Bircan Ünver. Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) contributed it through the youth speaker of the session. The keynote speaker Dr. Gökçer Okumuş, Deputy Director of Urban Transformation Planning at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, gave a comprehensive presentation titled, “What is Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Doing Regarding Disaster Preparedness and Urban Transformation?” highlighting the “Urban Transformation Mobilization Action Plan” and vision of the municipality.
The panelists of the session were: Architect Arif Atılgan, Prof. Dr. H. Semih Eryıldız, Urban designer Faruk Göksu, and Canan Bulut, Intern Attorney at Law.
Bircan Ünver, the founder-president of IşikBinyılı.Org & LMGlobal.Org, and the panel’s moderator, opened the session by presenting the main theme and vision, laying a solid foundation for the discussions.

Program Highlights
The panel focused on the challenges, plans, and potential solutions for creating a more sustainable, breathable, and renewable city, particularly in Istanbul. The speakers emphasized the importance of earthquake preparedness, infrastructure development, and citizen participation in urban planning processes. Legal aspects, financial considerations, and topics like climate change and food security were also discussed, highlighting the need for a holistic approach that balances nature and infrastructure.
Experts, academics, professionals, and researchers in their respective fields addressed the defined theme of the panel, covering urban planning, protecting citizen rights, and encouraging citizen involvement through diverse processes and outcomes from the 1950s to today. The panel underscored the need for fundamental changes in urban transformation and proposed new, scientifically grounded approaches.

Keynote Speaker of the session, Dr. Okumuş provided detailed information on the municipality’s earthquake preparedness efforts, including identifying risky buildings through rapid screening methods, providing support such as rent assistance to citizens, infrastructure strengthening projects, and establishing disaster logistics centers. He also addressed Istanbul’s micro-zoning studies and awareness-raising education programs.

At the panel presented on November 4 at TÜYAP Beylikdüzü, Istanbul’s urban transformation was deeply examined by experts from various disciplines. Architects, academics, urban designers, and a young lawyer came together to provide comprehensive evaluations of the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of urban transformation.
 Former Chairman of the Chamber of Architects, Architect Arif Atılgan, shared his extensive experience from the 1950s to today, offering a broad historical perspective. Prof. Dr. H. Semih Eryıldız, at Gebze Technical University, Okan University, and founder of Adakademi Foundation, highlighted his 55 years of work on environmentally compatible architectural projects, citing examples both individually and on a community scale, such as Batı Kent. Urban designer Faruk Göksu and intern lawyer Canan Bulut contributed with their perspectives on protecting citizen rights against the “Torba Yasasi” (1st, 2023). Together, the speakers provided inclusive presentations targeting the panel’s main objectives.

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Gökçer Okumuş
What is Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Doing Regarding Disaster Preparedness and Urban Transformation?
Dr. Gökçer Okumuş, deputy director of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Improvement, presented a detailed overview of the municipality’s efforts to prepare Istanbul for a major earthquake and revitalize the city.

Key Points:

• Istanbul’s Vulnerability: The presentation highlighted the significant risk Istanbul faces from earthquakes due to its geographical location, the age of many buildings, and the city’s high population density.
• Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Plan: The municipality has developed a comprehensive earthquake preparedness plan that covers various aspects, including:
  • Urban Transformation: The municipality is actively involved in urban transformation projects to replace older, earthquake-prone buildings with more resilient structures.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: Investments are being made to strengthen the city’s infrastructure, including transportation networks, utilities, and public buildings.
  • Emergency Response: The municipality is working to improve emergency response capabilities, such as establishing emergency shelters, training personnel, and developing evacuation plans.
  • Public Awareness: Efforts are underway to educate the public about earthquake safety and preparedness.
• Collaboration: The municipality is collaborating with various stakeholders, including other government agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations, to implement these initiatives.
• Specific Projects: The presentation provided details about specific projects, such as the renovation of public buildings, the strengthening of transportation infrastructure, and the development of emergency shelters.

Overall, Dr. Okumuş presentation emphasized the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s commitment to reducing the city’s vulnerability to earthquakes and creating a more resilient urban environment, along with preparing the populations through workshops and lectures.
Full Powerpoint Presentation in Turkish
An extensive coverage of the presentation in Turkish

Earthquake-Resistant Construction and Building Safety
Following Dr. Okumuş’s comprehensive presentation, Architect Arif Atılgan took the stage. He began by highlighting that Istanbul was classified as a second-degree earthquake zone in the 1970s, and how unauthorized and unlicensed apartment constructions, following shantytown settlements, have contributed to today’s issues. He pointed out aerial surveys of Istanbul and estimates of 500,000 licensed-registered buildings, 500,000 licensed-unregistered buildings, and 500,000 unlicensed-unregistered buildings.
Atılgan emphasized the importance of earthquake-resistant construction and the need for regular building inspections. He shared examples of buildings collapsing due to poor construction and highlighted the necessity of limiting construction on soft ground to no more than two or three stories, while advising against constructing low-rise buildings on solid-rock ground. He proposed the concept of a “building health card,” akin to annual vehicle inspections or health check-ups, emphasizing the need for a platform or institution to oversee and conduct regular inspections for all buildings.
The panel continued with in-depth discussions addressing various aspects of urban transformation. The presentations reflected on the current challenges and offered forward-looking solutions for a more inclusive and citizen-focused approach to urban planning.

Urban Transformation and Sustainable Planning – Prof. H. Semih Eryıldız
In his presentation titled “Urban Transformation or On-site Renewal: The Subject of Architecture in Settlement and Housing Areas”, Prof. H. Semih Eryıldız emphasized the need for an organizational model based on a productive and community-oriented local governance approach rooted in social democratic traditions globally and Kemalist principles in Turkey. He highlighted the necessity of philosophical awareness, political organization, and action.
Prof. Eryıldız stressed that these projects have been planned and implemented worldwide under prevailing paradigms, while outdated models are quickly discarded. He noted that although theoretical groundwork was laid in Turkey in the 1960s and implementations occurred between 1973-1980, advancements have since stagnated. Despite this, he expressed hope that the seeds planted during that time would one day bear fruit. He concluded his presentation by expressing concern over the lack of progress in Turkey and called for a shift in mindset.
Under the framework of “Inclusive and Citizen-Protective Approach”, Prof. Eryıldız summarized the issue under three subheadings:
Problem Definition: Urban (New or On-Site) Transformation
• “Those who do not know yesterday cannot understand today—those who do not understand today cannot plan for tomorrow.” (Confucius)
He explored the search for inclusivity and citizen-protection approaches through various lenses, addressing how to define and examine these frameworks.
Processes of Thought, Organization, and Implementation
He emphasized the following:
• Academic research and literature.
• Thought-out and organized approaches.
• Implementation within a global and theoretical context.
The following section is a direct excerpt from Prof. Eryıldız’s slide presentation:
“Quality, sustainability, naturalness, and frugality are essential for users.”
To achieve this, eco-urban processes are necessary:
• Energy: Structures should utilize natural air, light, and resources like solar panels, wind turbines, and heat pumps, producing their energy and selling the surplus back to urban and rural areas.
• Water: Buildings should recycle gray water, use rooftop, surface, road, and garden water efficiently, and incorporate spaces for preparing compost and fertilizers.
• Food: Buildings must ensure self-sufficiency in food production within, on top of, and around their structures while treating waste as a resource.
• Transportation: Autonomous, self-sufficient, driverless systems must be understood and implemented. Fossil-fuel vehicles and excessive metro constructions should be prohibited.
Prof. Eryıldız concluded with a call to end the current dystopia through structures that save energy and water and encourage food production. He said:
”Meeting all people’s needs is possible; only the greedy cannot be satisfied. Money-hungry individuals will cut down a tree they cannot sell the shadow of, perpetuating the cycle.”
Presentation in Turkish

“Urban Transformation is Not Real Estate Development.” Faruk Göksu
Urban designer Faruk Göksu addressed the challenges and potential solutions for urban transformation in Turkey using the 5K and 3 Blocks = 1 Block formulas.
The 5K Approach
1K- Planning: A big-picture view and system design are essential.
2K- Participation: Partnerships should be developed, and new models created.
3K- Capacity: Urban systems should be understood, and opportunity areas developed.
4K- Public Spaces: Enhance quality of life by creating public spaces.
5K- Resources: Innovative financing methods must be established by rediscovering potentials.
Göksu highlighted that even if one-fourth of the existing building stock were affected by a potential earthquake, 4 million people would require temporary shelter, necessitating 4,000 hectares of space. He underscored the urgent need to create 2,000 hectares of open space—equivalent to 2,000 football fields.
The Need for a New Story
Göksu stressed the importance of:
• Public space creation.
• Improved participation models.
• Financial planning.
• Youth involvement in the process.
He discussed a special project, Green Road, which aims to transform unrelated and disconnected areas along the E5 highway into living hubs and focal points.
3 Blocks = 1 Block Model
To address issues such as parcel-based dense construction, lack of public spaces, and the risks to building and living quality, Göksu proposed redefining the scale of development. He called for voluntary transformation efforts to address not only disaster risks but also challenges like climate change and food security.
He concluded with the statement:
”Urban transformation is not merely about real estate development.”
Presentation in Turkish

“The law, in its current form, clearly constitutes a violation of property rights.” Canan Bulut
Canan Bulut, Intern Lawyer, emphasized the need for citizens’ active participation in the decision-making process regarding legal procedures in urban transformation processes and shared the following information about the content and enforcement of the “Omnibus Law”:
“The urban transformation process is regulated under Law No. 6306 on the transformation of areas under disaster risk. Significant amendments were made to the law in 2023. Accordingly, the urban transformation process:
• It is sufficient for 50% of the owners in an apartment owned by citizens to initiate the risk report process from municipalities.
• Once the risk report is finalized, the authorities will grant owners a 60-day period for the demolition of the risky structure.
• The demolition decision can be made upon the application of even a single owner, without needing a majority, if it is proven that the building is risky.
How does this affect the citizens’ most important constitutional rights? As is known, the right to property is one of the fundamental rights that grants a person the broadest disposal rights over property, and can only be limited by law. However, regulations that limit property rights are not sufficient merely with the purpose of public interest. According to the principle of proportionality, the requirements, appropriateness, and proportionality criteria must also be met.
In the current law, the decision threshold for a risky structure was 2/3 of the share of the land, while the amendment reduced this to a simple majority. Even in the Condominium Law, some decisions require the approval of 4/5 of the property owners or all owners for critical issues. However, in this law, vital decisions such as consolidation, division, rebuilding, contracting with a contractor, signing agreements, and DEMOLITION can be made with the approval of 50+1, which creates a significant contradiction and risk. In this situation, objections from those who do not agree with the decision and are in the minority are completely disregarded, and ultimately, their properties can be confiscated, and their shares can be sold. This law, in its current form, clearly constitutes a violation of property rights.
Bulut particularly pointed out that the “Omnibus Law” violates citizens’ rights in the urban transformation process and that citizens need to be educated about this issue. At the same time, the importance of transparency and public participation in urban transformation projects was emphasized.
Full Speech by Canan Bulut in Turkish

Unity, Responsibility, and Shared Experiences
The panel moderator, Bircan Ünver, highlighted the importance of unity and responsibility by referencing the United Nations and Turkey’s founding membership. She mentioned that all the issues discussed during the panel had a corresponding reflection in the United Nations.
She also noted that the content of the panel had been contributed to by the Turkish-American Associations Assembly (ATAA).

Conclusion:
In the panel, especially Dr. Okumuş’s presentation titled “What Are We Doing for Istanbul’s Earthquake Preparedness?” provided detailed examples and references that answered many aspects of the panel’s main theme. The detailed explanation of the four main headings and fourteen subheadings of Istanbul’s Earthquake Mobilization Plan further supported the panel’s theme, “Seeking an Inclusive and Citizen-Protective Approach.”
The measures taken against the earthquake risk in Istanbul and urban transformation projects played a central role in the panel. Dr. Gökçer Okumuş’s presentation highlighted the comprehensiveness and importance of İBB’s efforts in this regard. However, for urban transformation to be successfully implemented, all stakeholders must work together, and financing issues must be resolved.

At the end of the panel, there was a general consensus on the need to establish an inclusive and sustainable urban transformation model for the future of Istanbul.

Bircan Ünver thanked the keynote speaker Dr. Gökçer Okumuş, Architect Arif Atılgan, Prof. Dr. H. Semih Eryıldız, Faruk Aksu, and Canan Bulut for their participation and contributions to the panel. She stated that the summary and presentations of the panel would be published on the association’s website (www.isikbinyili.org) and shared on social media to reach a wider audience.
Additionally, Ünver thanked Hakan Nişancı from the İBB Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Improvement Department for facilitating İBB’s participation in the panel, as well as all the participants, association members, Yeter Tabak, and the association volunteers, before closing the program.

https://isikbinyili.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/dr-gokcer-okumus-ibb-deprem-daire-tuyap-sunum-2024-11-04.pdf

“Kentsel Dönüşüm veya Yerinde Yenileme: Mimarlık Yerleşim ve Barınım Alanlarının Konusudur” Prof. H. Semih Eryıldız, 

“Kentsel dönüşüm gayrimenkul geliştirme değildir.”
https://isikbinyili.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ali-faruk-goksu-kentsel-donusum-tuyap-4-kasim-24.pdf

Torba Yasa 2024: Kapsamı ve Beklenen Değişiklikler

– Updated on December 19, 2024