IMM started strengthening works, starting with E-class buildings, which were determined to be high risk against earthquakes with the rapid scanning system. “I think we have accomplished a very important step with this scanning method we have developed,” said the IMM President. Ekrem İmamoğluemphasized the need for the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the government. İmamoğlu said, “In the remaining time period, the discourse is always 'with the tensile of the President of the Republic. At the discretion of the President. Not with the consent of Mr. President; We are walking with the light of science, the model predicted by technology, the acceptance of our people, and our financial cooperation. We will take action and move forward towards this understanding after May 14, friends. There is no other way to do this. We are racing against the earthquake. "We have to bring a government that feels responsible for earthquake preparedness, works scientifically and practically, attaches importance to merit, and looks after the public's budget," he said.
The "Istanbul Renewal Strengthening Project", which was put into service by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality within the scope of the "300 Projects in 300 Days" marathon, was carried out by CHP Istanbul Provincial President Canan Kaftancıoğlu and IMM President. Ekrem İmamoğluIt was introduced with the participation of . At the introductory meeting, KİPTAŞ General Manager Ali Kurt and İmamoğlu gave speeches, respectively.
“RESPONSIBLE SIDE OF THE EARTHQUAKE MUST NEVER GET UP WITH RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE”
Emphasizing that February 6, 2023 is a very important crossroads for the whole country, İmamoğlu said, “It has to be a crossroads day. Since then, we are all faced with the obligation to make a decision. We will either act as before in preparation or embark on a new path. Since the 1999 earthquake, unfortunately, we have not been able to do the job justice in the processes that we describe as a crossroads in many issues. If we had, we would not have lost tens of thousands of our people and lives in the earthquake that affected 11 of our cities. That's very clear. This is burning inside of us, burn it. May its painful and hurtful side never come out of responsible people like us. As soon as it comes out, we are faced with negligence as before. In that respect, the decision we will make is between existence and non-existence. It is so clear, it is so strict, it is troublesome, it has to be principled. Whoever still does not understand the seriousness of the matter, and still sees this issue as a political profit opportunity and an election material, let it be known that it paves the way for new disasters and new negligence. We have to unite around concrete solutions offered by science and we have to accelerate. We cannot waste time. We have to put aside the empty words and long talk and be the performer, the investor and the practical. We have to cooperate. There cannot be any responsible person or institution that will stay on the coast, on the sidelines or in the corner.
“WE ARE OFFERING ANOTHER ECONOMIC AND FAST OPTION FOR EARTHQUAKE PREPARATION”
Giving examples of the work they have done on earthquake and urban transformation since the first days they took office as İBB, İmamoğlu said:
“We shared with the people of Istanbul that the earthquake was the foremost issue for us. Disaster-focused urban transformation studies are one of these areas. And today, we are taking a really important step together in this position. Together, we are starting to strengthen the suitable structures under the coordination of KİPTAŞ and in cooperation with universities, scientists and technical people. Now, our citizens will be able to apply to the 'Istanbul Renewal' platform for structures that are risky in the rapid scan test to request reinforcement. Thus, we offer another economical and fast option for earthquake preparedness. We have to lead this work. We are implementing a strengthening system approved by universities, in which the most appropriate and economical strengthening projects will be implemented under the supervision of KİPTAŞ. This system, which aims to strengthen the structures that are suitable for legal and static strengthening, with hybrid methods in today's technology and conditions, will be carried out in cooperation with universities under the coordination of KİPTAŞ. At every moment, technique, science, application will come together with all its elements.”
“BY MAKING THE SACRIFICES IF THERE ARE…”
Sharing the information that the strengthening works will start with the E-class buildings, which are determined to be high risk against earthquakes with the rapid scanning system of IMM, İmamoğlu said, “Of course, we want to expand this scope in the coming periods. But you will appreciate that it is important for us to start with the riskiest buildings where retrofitting is possible. The beneficiaries who have been determined as Class E in the rapid screening test have to come to terms with each other. By agreeing, they will be able to apply to our system. The place where they can apply is the website 'istanbulyenilenen.com'. Pointing out that 100 percent consensus is required by law, İmamoğlu said, “Something else is required for this element to be fulfilled. It is a matter of our people having to put their intentions into this work without the 'but' or 'but'," he said. Emphasizing that the recent earthquakes contain lessons in highlighting individual interests, İmamoğlu said, "They must make themselves feel that they need to be involved in this process by making whatever sacrifices they have, and when they come together with their neighbors, they must succeed in convincing each other in this sense. In this respect, they will put aside their financial interests, financial interests, strife and mischief at such reconciliation tables. They will not forget that they had to embark on this journey to save their lives.”
“KIPTAŞ WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW AND SUPERVISED THIS WHOLE PROCESS”
İmamoğlu expressed how the strengthening process will progress with the following words:
“This process, which is implemented with a system in which many issues such as license and building registration certificate exist together with license documents, will begin, citizens and project companies will be brought together, and a cost will be presented in line with the projects approved by the university. If they accept the cost, the beneficiaries will be brought together with the application firm. Contracts will be made and the process will begin. KİPTAŞ will continue to monitor, regulate and supervise this entire process. It will provide assurance to its citizens from beginning to end. Together with the reinforcement system we have established, we will have made a significant contribution to the dissemination of the reinforcement system, which was legalized in 2007, and to increasing the number of reliable applications. Our aim is to make Istanbul as resilient as possible before a possible earthquake and to secure the lives of our people by contributing to the benefit of all possible structures from reinforcement technology. In this regard, saving time means, for sure, saving a life. Therefore, I invite everyone to be sensitive and act actively.”
“THE MUCH CITIZENS OWN THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, THE MANAGERS CAN ONLY OWN THIS PROCESS”
Emphasizing that the system is a scientific, practical and effective model that can be applied not only in Istanbul but also throughout Turkey, İmamoğlu said, “We will not forget that we live in an earthquake country. For this reason, I would like to reiterate that I invite not only the people of Istanbul, but also all our citizens, every part of our country, to be active and sensitive at the point of earthquake preparedness. We have seen that the issue is not only about Istanbul, but with the lives lost in the earthquake that affected nearly 14 million people in 11 cities. Of course, Istanbul is another dimension. When we are caught unprepared for such an earthquake that we will experience in Istanbul, unfortunately, it may experience a kneeling process in economic terms. We will not let this happen to our nation. This could become a national security issue. We will never let this happen to our nation. We have to leave at once. The more the citizens own their own problems, the more the administrators can take care of this process," he said.
“WHEN WE GO TO 100 THOUSAND BUILDINGS, WE UNDERSTAND THAT 70 THOUSAND BUILDINGS DO NOT ACCEPT US”
Reminding that the rapid scanning system was recommended to him by Tayfun Kahraman, the former Head of Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Improvement Department, who is currently in prison, İmamoğlu pointed out that the studies in this context have been ongoing since 2020. “Let us underline that when we went to 100 thousand buildings, 70 thousand buildings did not accept us. Look, I'm talking about buildings built before 2000. And I say that 100 out of 70 buildings do not welcome us into their homes. What did I always say? This struggle is a holistic struggle. The government alone cannot be responsible for this struggle. But the institution with the highest responsibility for organizing is the government. The Metropolitan Municipality cannot be alone. District municipalities cannot. It is imperative that we succeed in acting together and that we institutionalize it in a place like Istanbul. Whether it's called the Istanbul Earthquake Council or the Istanbul Earthquake Board; I'm talking about bringing together the government, central administration, local governments, metropolitan cities, districts, academic staff, construction sectors, financial sectors, non-governmental layers, business world with all its components, and implementing a mechanism that takes quick decisions. One of the most prominent stakeholders in this is our people. If our people do not give their consent to this work and do not lend a hand, our difficulties are enormous.”
“NOT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVALS…”
Noting that they will intensify existing studies and continue to launch new applications, İmamoğlu said:
“With this scanning method we have developed, I think we have accomplished a very important stage. But let's also state that it will not really be enough for us to do this alone. A great cooperation is a must for the government and our institutions to take this into account, to make the necessary arrangements and financing, especially by providing the financing contribution of the local government. Of course, within the remaining time frame, the rhetoric is always 'Mr. President's approval. At the discretion of the President. Not with the consent of the President, we say; We are walking with the light of science, the model predicted by technology, the acceptance of our people, and our financial cooperation. We will take action and move forward towards this understanding after May 14, friends. There is no other way to do this. We are racing against the earthquake. Please, from all our citizens, I request you to speed up Turkey in whichever lane you are responsible for. We have to bring a government that feels responsible for earthquake preparedness, works scientifically and practically, attaches importance to merit, and looks after the public's budget. Let Istanbul speed up, Turkey speed up in this regard. We are in a hurry. There is no other way to win this race we started against the earthquake, this war between extinction and existence. Together we have to accelerate. That's why we have to bring an administration that will accelerate this country on May 14th. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality invites all Istanbul residents who want to benefit from the KİPTAŞ Reinforcement System to take quick action, and I make a call here for them to make their applications, gather and complete the consensus ground among themselves, and contact us.”
After the speeches, a photograph was taken with the participation of Kaftancıoğlu, İmamoğlu, CHP deputies Turan Aydoğan, Emine Gülizar Emecan, Gökan Zeybek, Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç, Şişli Mayor Muammer Keskin and Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün.
ANSWER TO THE QUESTION “USKUDAR BEACH”: “THE MOST SHOCKING THING IN MY LIFE HAS HAPPENED, THANK YOU, MINISTER”
After the photo shoot, İmamoğlu answered the questions of the press members about the agenda. İmamoğlu said, “For the cafes on Üsküdar Salacak beach, where the İBB decided to demolish it because it is against zoning, Üsküdar Municipality and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change stepped in and these demolitions were stopped. He gave the following answer to the question “What will be the next step and process of IMM?”
“Within the scope of special environmental protection, the mucilage issue in Marmara was included in this scope and our zoning authorizations were taken away from us. When I called the Minister at that time, I said, 'Mr. Minister, what does the fight against mucilage have to do with the plan of the Islands or the coastline of Istanbul?' I got an answer on the phone from him saying 'it shouldn't be like this'. Then, of course, when he determined that the authority was usurped in this way, he made a statement to me: 'Let's talk about this issue, let's manage it in consensus, we will definitely fix it in time'. Now, through this usurpation of authority, which they themselves find wrong, it makes Istanbul look ugly… Like the Kuşkonmaz Mosque, standing on the shore of the Bosphorus like a trinket, the apocalypse broke out when a 1,5-meter crossing platform was built in front of the religious people in that area, which was planned before us. It was an application - while we took our decisions in an effort to remove some businesses that have occupied the right and left of this mosque like a virus, it gave me the most shocking thing in my life, at a time when some decisions like ping-pong ball went here and there in the courts, thank you Mr. . Again, taking refuge in this law, again in this Presidential Decree, here with the Üsküdar Municipality - look, the Üsküdar Municipality, which is responsible for protecting the interests of the people of Üsküdar - the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, by making a plan, zoned the occupied buildings on the shore of the Bosphorus like slums. made it.”
“I WILL FOLLOW THE LEGAL FIGHT AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS DAY TO DAY”
“This is one of the most shameful acts in the history of the Republic of Turkey, in the history of Istanbul. Go look at the aerial photo. Where does this job fit? What does this mean? What is the benefit of this? What is the social interest? You will do this to Istanbul and say, 'We will succeed in the transformation of Istanbul and the fight against the earthquake in Istanbul.' No, you can't. This work is done without 'but' or 'but'. This job cannot be done by seeing the right side and seeing the left side. The principles are one in this business. This is unprincipled, inconsistent, and a great shame on Istanbul. Of course, we will fight our legal fight. We will show our stance against the plan. The people of Istanbul have two main responsibilities here, related to that region. One of them is Üsküdar Municipality and its roof, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. You are abolishing the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, as the Üsküdar Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, you are making a plan for the buildings that are built like slums, that are ugly, ruin the Kuşkonmaz Mosque with their appearance, and make its surroundings look bad. It's a shame, it's a shame, it's a sin. It doesn't fit in being a technical staff, it doesn't fit in technical ethics, it doesn't fit in the zoning principle, it doesn't fit in urbanism, or when today's agenda is an earthquake… Do you know what these works are done in a process where tens of thousands of people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands of people threatened their lives in Istanbul? It is an indication of what the government's priority is. I care for him. I will fight for him legally and follow him day by day. In this sense, I invite the judiciary to duty. Let them not distract us. Let them not linger and create the perception that they have cooperated with other decisions. That's why I invite everyone to work. We will follow this up.”