CHP's Şişli candidate Şahan reacts sharply to Kurum: 'When will they stop betraying Istanbul?'

Müslim SARIYAR-12punto.com.tr

Resul Emrah Şahan, the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate for Mayor of Şişli, held a press conference regarding the area he describes as "Şişli's Kanal Istanbul," which was declared a reserve area in Şişli Merkez Neighborhood with the signature of the then-Minister of Environment and Urbanization and current People's Alliance IMM candidate Murat Kurum.

Making statements to members of the press from a point overlooking the area declared a reserve area, Şahan stated that they define this area as "Şişli's Kanal Istanbul."

Drawing attention to the sound of construction machinery working in the 24,000-square-meter area, Şahan said, "The sound you hear is actually the precursor sound of the dagger intended to be plunged into Şişli. It is the precursor sound of the project intended to be built as Şişli's Kanal Istanbul."

"KURUM'S SIGNATURE IS ON IT"

Sharing some documents regarding the process, Şahan showed members of the press the document declaring the area a reserve building site, which was signed by People's Alliance IMM Mayoral Candidate Murat Kurum during his time as Minister of Environment and Urbanization, and said the following:

"In 2021, it was declared a reserve building area using laws enacted to make this city more resilient and to ensure we live in earthquake-resistant housing, by using earthquake laws. I draw your attention to the signature here. This signature is the signature of today's People's Alliance IMM candidate Murat Kurum. This area, the size of 4 football fields, was declared a reserve building site. The legal struggle of the citizens and the municipality won here, and it was canceled. Later, in 2022, the same area was declared a reserve area again with the signature of People's Alliance IMM candidate Murat Kurum, as if no cancellation had occurred. Let's come to what is essentially intended to be done after these documents; a project is intended to be built with these signatures that will cause a crisis regarding not only Şişli but also Istanbul's traffic, its center, and all of Istanbul's issues, which will bring a population as large as a neighborhood with a daily circulation of over 100,000, with hotels, residences, shopping malls, and housing, plunging a dagger into the center of this city, covering 270,000 square meters."

Emphasizing that they know what is intended to be done to Şişli, Şahan asked, "So what do the citizens in Şişli want?" and said, "Countless press conferences were held. The City Council held a meeting. Citizens held a meeting and reacted."

Touching upon the wishes of Şişli citizens regarding this area, Şahan showed the project they designed for the area and said, "Here we have 'Our Home Istanbul' and a 'City Restaurant.' There is an earthquake assembly area. There is a 24,000-square-meter open space. There is a sports area for young people and a park area for children. The green space per capita in Şişli is under 1 square meter. Children and women are trapped in their homes. There is a public space here where people can meet. There is an underground parking lot for 2,000 vehicles here. This is what Şişli wants."

Putting two photos side by side, Resul Emrah Şahan said, "Let's take a good look at these two photos: what is intended to be done and what Şişli wants. One is rent, one is the public; one is darkness, one is light. One is a handout, one is a nursery; one is concrete, one is green. One is plunder, one is a plan; one is oppression, one is science. One is cruelty, one is humanity. But most importantly, one is Murat Kurum, one is Ekrem İmamoğlu."

Stating, "I have one question for the People's Alliance IMM candidate Murat Kurum from here; what earthquake problem or wound in Şişli and Istanbul is he providing a solution for with this project?" Şahan noted the following:

"If he is not providing a solution, when will they stop betraying Istanbul? When will they stop betraying by signing with instructions? I have a question for the people of Istanbul. Will you vote for İmamoğlu, who works for the people; or will you vote for the People's Alliance's IMM candidate Murat Kurum, who signs with instructions for rent? We will not let the livelihood of 16 million be eaten by a handful of people. In democracies, the people's vote breaks all games."

"WE WILL PROVIDE POLITICAL ADVOCACY AND FOLLOW-UP FROM THE HIGHEST LEVEL"

Resul Emrah Şahan also answered questions from journalists.

When asked about the path he would follow regarding the subsequent legal process, Şahan replied, "We will provide political advocacy and follow-up for this from the highest level. We will continue this when we win both the IMM and Şişli. There is a process currently underway under the ministry's authority. We know that the ministry has issued a shoring permit for this place. This is the noise of that. We will provide political and legal follow-up to break the games, and we will not let this be done here."

The 24,000-square-meter area, approximately the size of 4 football fields, located on block 10619, parcel 3 in Şişli Merkez Neighborhood, had been declared a reserve area under Law No. 6306.

THE PROCESS REGARDING THE RESERVE BUILDING AREA IN ŞİŞLİ

The 2.4-hectare area located on block 10619, parcel 3, right across from the Şişli Municipality, was declared a risky building on November 21, 2014, and the zoning plan for the land was changed on May 5, 2015.

After the 11th Administrative Court canceled the "Risky Building Declaration" process on June 21, 2017, a "Shoring Permit" was issued for the land on December 12, 2018.

The land, which was declared a "Reserve Building Area" on January 13, 2021, was canceled by the 8th Administrative Court on April 24, 2022. The Şişli Municipality filed a lawsuit for the region, which was declared a "Reserve Building Area" for the 2nd time on August 8, 2022.

The case was heard in the 3rd Administrative Court. Following the "stay of execution" decision by the 3rd Administrative Court on March 3, 2023, a decision to reject the case was given on October 31, 2023. The plaintiffs applied to the Appellate Court with a request for appeal. While the process was ongoing, a "Shoring Permit" was issued for the land again on February 1, 2024.

News Source: Müslim Sarıyar