Mehmet Kalyoncu’s Urban Transformation Proposal for Istanbul
As measures against the expected Istanbul earthquake and urban transformation efforts remain on the agenda, GYODER Chairman Mehmet Kalyoncu put forward notable proposals for Istanbul’s future. Stating that Istanbul should be addressed not only within its own boundaries but together with the Marmara Region, Kalyoncu proposed creating new settlement areas toward Çanakkale and Bursa.
Kalyoncu emphasized that, in addition to transforming Istanbul’s high-risk building stock, a long-term urban plan is needed to reduce population density.
Istanbul Must Be Planned Together With the Marmara Region
Stating that GYODER is carrying out work on the long-term planning of Istanbul, Mehmet Kalyoncu said this work covers not only construction but also urban sociology and the urban economy.
Pointing out that Istanbul cannot be considered independently of the Marmara Region, Kalyoncu said that the region’s transportation infrastructure has improved significantly, particularly with the completion of the Çanakkale Bridge. He underlined that, if new settlement areas are created, infrastructure must be completed before construction begins.
Recalling that in the past buildings were constructed first and roads, natural gas and other infrastructure needs were addressed afterward, Kalyoncu stated that this approach must change in new planning.
A Proposal for Prioritization in Urban Transformation
Stating that urban transformation in Istanbul should be prioritized on a building-by-building basis, Mehmet Kalyoncu said that existing data offers an important opportunity in this regard.
Arguing that buildings should be assessed individually according to their level of risk and that the order of transformation should be determined accordingly, Kalyoncu pointed out that it may not be necessary to demolish and rebuild every building. Noting that some buildings can be preserved through retrofitting, he said that a plan based on accurate data could make the process healthier.
New Settlements Toward Çanakkale and Bursa
One of the long-term proposals Mehmet Kalyoncu put forward for Istanbul is the creation of new settlement centers. Noting that there is public land within Istanbul’s boundaries that could be used, Kalyoncu said the real long-term solution must be considered at the scale of the Marmara Region.
Proposing new settlement areas toward Çanakkale and Bursa, each able to house 2 million people, Kalyoncu said it could be possible to direct around 4 million people to new centers outside Istanbul.
He emphasized that these areas should be planned not merely as residential zones but together with social facilities, transportation options, employment areas and living standards.
New Cities With Infrastructure in Place
According to Kalyoncu, to ease the pressure of population and construction on Istanbul, new settlements must offer people a strong alternative. This makes it important to complete transportation and infrastructure systems before construction and to calculate cities’ needs correctly from the outset.
Stating that this approach, which treats Istanbul as a whole together with the Marmara Region, could help both reduce earthquake risk and achieve a more balanced distribution of settlement in the region, Mehmet Kalyoncu emphasized that Istanbul’s future requires long-term urban planning that reaches beyond its boundaries.