The countdown for the construction of Forum Göztepe, which will be built by Turkmall on a 72-acre area in the Esentepe Neighborhood of Izmir and is the largest urban transformation project in Türkiye carried out by the private sector, has begun with the approval of the new zoning plans by the administrative court.
Turkmall Deputy Chairman of the Board Mehmet Altunhan said that the new zoning plan, which has the signatures of 700 beneficiaries, received approval from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and this decision was registered with the decision of the administrative court.
Altunhan, who stated that there are no obstacles left for the construction of Forum Göztepe, which is the largest urban transformation project carried out by the private sector in Türkiye, said, “The old zoning plan was a plan that only protected 150 right holders. A lawsuit was filed against the new zoning plan. In the new plan, there were 820 flats on the field and all flats had the same square meter. Right holders paid the same money and had the same rights. In the previous plan made by the municipality, only 820 of these 150 people were protected and the rest lost their rights. We prepared a new plan with the signatures of approximately 700 people and submitted it to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. The Ministry approved this plan and then a lawsuit was filed by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Karabağlar Municipality, the Chamber of City Planners and Duraklar Yapı. In the final stage, the plan we made and approved by the Ministry was also accepted by the administrative court. According to the decision, the new zoning plan will now be implemented. 820 right holders now have equal rights legally.”
A FAIR PLAN, EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE…
Mehmet Altunhan, who noted that a plan that fairly protected everyone’s rights was put into effect as a result of long efforts, continued his words as follows: “The case lasted a year. The project was also put on hold. In the meantime, there were some beneficiaries whose houses were demolished. The beneficiaries whose houses were demolished were those who did not come to terms with Turkmall and came to terms with the other company. Those we came to terms with continued to live in their own houses during this process. Our only consolation during this process was that there was no earthquake in Izmir. Because these structures are extremely earthquake-resistant residences. People waited patiently and we reached a happy ending. The legal process regarding the sale of the apartments of those who did not come to terms has also started. We will also apply for a construction permit from the Ministry. In the first stage, we will apply for a preliminary approval for construction. In the next process, we will have the implementation projects approved. We want to start construction in September. We plan to complete the entire construction in 2 and a half years. We aim to deliver the project in stages, taking into account the need for the project.”
IT WILL RESPOND TO IZMIR'S NEEDS
Turkmall Board Chairman Levent Eyüboğlu, who emphasized that they are excited to introduce Forum Göztepe to the people of İzmir, said, “This is a very valuable project for us. Because we will not only build shopping malls and residences. We will create a new living center with its square, street and social facilities. We will raise the project that will meet the needs of İzmir with modern architecture, on solid ground and in an earthquake-resistant manner. We will offer many features such as commercial areas, office areas, spaces where you can socialize, and a closed parking lot for each apartment. There are 820 beneficiaries in total; 450 houses will be built within the scope of the project. There will also be commercial areas. There will also be a marketplace called Forum Göztepe inside. We would like to thank the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, all authorities affiliated with the Ministry, our association president, our Urban Transformation Coordinator Handan Koç and everyone who contributed to this process on behalf of the 700 beneficiaries and their families.”
BENEFICIARIES BELIEVE IN THE PROJECT AND TURKMALL
Stating that they have been working to explain the urban transformation process to the public correctly since 2016, Esentepe and Surroundings Urban Transformation Association President Cengiz Aktaş said that the support and trust given to them by beneficiaries during this long process is extremely important. Aktaş said, “We will make the necessary contacts to allocate the old earthquake housing belonging to the municipality in Uzundere and TOKİ housing near the City Hospital for nearly 200 beneficiaries who will need rental housing during the construction process. I wish the project to be auspicious and auspicious for Izmir.”
WE ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL TEAM FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION
Stating that they have established a special team and staff for urban transformation as Turkmall and that they have experienced urban transformation by living it again with Forum Göztepe, Urban Transformation Coordinator Handan Koç said, “We have established the system in urban transformation, added innovations, and received support from legal processes and regulations. We have acted with a professional and meticulous working system and an expert team. We are happy to contribute to the transformation process of Izmir with 5 new urban transformation projects that are currently under preparation.”
