İmamoğlu reacts to Erdoğan over 'Urban Transformation Law': "Saying 'our love', saying 'we betrayed it'…"

The draft law containing regulations for urban transformation has been accepted and enacted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

İMAMOĞLU'S CRITICISM OF URBAN TRANSFORMATION

Speaking at the Istanbul Natural and Rural Areas Strategy Document promotion meeting, İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also touched upon the Urban Transformation Law passed in the TBMM. In his speech, İmamoğlu criticized the government wing for leaving the proposals and support requests coming from them unanswered.

Drawing attention to the importance of addressing the issue of urban transformation with all stakeholders, İmamoğlu shared the details of his meeting with Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki and the subsequent events with the participants.

A DIG AT ERDOĞAN: THIS IS THE STATE YOU HAVE BROUGHT ISTANBUL TO

Reminding that instead of a structure similar to an "Earthquake Council" covering Istanbul and other cities, a "Directorate of Urban Transformation" similar to TOKİ was established, İmamoğlu said, "Now they might say: 'We have good intentions. Actually, we took what you said. We will do them through the Directorate of Urban Transformation.' My friend; you are a delegation that has failed the test. Furthermore, why should we be at the mercy of your two lips? Let us govern together, let us make decisions together. In fact, they have activated an axis that ignores the will of the society and the nation, ignores the demands and requests of the nation; and fulfills the demands and requests of other institutions. This mentality is the 'We did it, it happened' mentality. It is the 'No matter how much you talk, what we say will happen. What we say is final' mentality. Saying 'our love', saying 'we betrayed it', as a delegation that has confessed this to us, this is the state you have brought Istanbul to," he said.

"THIS IS A MATTER OF MOBILIZATION"

Underlining that the process should be carried out in a "collaborative" rather than a "divisive" manner, İmamoğlu also touched upon the following points in his speech:

"This is a matter of mobilization. This is a matter of national mobilization. This is a matter of keeping the state alive. It is a matter of keeping people alive. You must keep people alive so that the state may live. In this context, I find the 'Protect Istanbul' work very valuable. I can already see that it will be a guide for us. Yes, there are many troubles. We see that we are facing a mind and a mentality that thinks the blows intended to be dealt to Istanbul or the troubles intended to be experienced are not yet complete, and that we are facing this threat. But let them know; this city has 16 million guardians, who have joined hearts and are determined to be companions on the road, above politics, above parties. We are talking about a cooperation where we can write 50 principles from top to bottom, and they will sign under those principles unconditionally. This is not a mentality that lines up police to protect a kiosk on the shore of the Bosphorus, that issues zoning permits in a week to protect its demolition, or a mentality that opens up zoning to serve the rent of one person; it is a struggle to create a world city that protects its forests, rural areas, agriculture, and soil, accepts every inch of its land as homeland soil, beautifies and develops its city, and brings hundreds of historical artifacts back to life and presents them to the world."

News Source: 12punto