Two new residential areas will be built in Istanbul: Minister

The government is planning to build two brand new districts in the country’s largest province Istanbul, as part of a bid to relocate residents living in buildings lacking earthquake resistance, Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Özhaseki has told daily Hürriyet.

“There are so many military zones in the outskirts of Istanbul that could be considered barren land. If it is accepted, a new city may be built there and we could accomplish the urban transformations of at least 10 districts,” Özhaseki said on Oct 3.

He cited land on both the European and Asian sides of the city, saying the government is “establishing a new mechanism for Istanbul” and predicting that the urban transformation of the entire country could be accomplished within 15 years.

Around one million people will be able to live in the new district to be built on the European side of the city, with the priority given to those currently residing in buildings without proper earthquake resistance, Özhaseki said.

“We’ll therefore create districts with sufficient earthquake resistance. This will also allow old districts to complete the urban transformation process,” he said.
He specifically referred to Esenler, Güngören, Bağcılar, Eyüp and Sultangazi as districts at first-degree earthquake risks, while Fatih, Bahçelievler and Avcılar are districts at second-degree earthquake risk.

source: Hurriyet Daily News

06.10.2017