CHP Zeytinburnu Candidate Onur Soytürk: My most important project is to save the people of Zeytinburnu from 'coffin homes'

Ercan KÜÇÜK - 12punto.com.tr

Zeytinburnu has been one of the districts governed by the AKP for years. However, the results of the 2019 local elections surprised everyone. The AKP's candidate appointed from Ankara, Ömer Arısoy,was only able to win the election by about 6,000 votes. Now, the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi) has also entered the race, and the balance has shifted.

In this environment, the name announced by the CHP caused surprise, especially in Zeytinburnu. A name unknown to the district organization and the people of Zeytinburnu, IMM İmar A.Ş. General Manager Onur Soytürk, was announced as the candidate. Responding to 12punto's questions, Soytürk himself emphasizes the disadvantage of not being well-known.

Stating that he resigned from his position to apply for the mayoralty, Soytürk also explained the process of being selected as the CHP Zeytinburnu mayoral candidate. Reminding that the current AKP mayor and mayoral candidate Ömer Arısoy was also unknown in 2019, Soytürk said the following:

“NOT BEING WELL-KNOWN IS MY BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE, BUT…”

“Mr. Ömer not being well-known is a different issue. Because he served as a deputy mayor in the municipality for 10 years between 2004 and 2014. Then, the fact that he is not known after taking a five-year break to move to the ministry is another issue. He admits this himself. Ultimately, human relations are something different. I think he is aware of this today as well. I have encountered this in his rhetoric. He has a personality that does not like to be in the foreground. That is why he stayed in the background and did not engage in much dialogue. He is not very suited for this area of politics. Perhaps that is why he served for 5 years in the ministry and as an undersecretary, where there is less contact with citizens. Afterwards, he came to the Zeytinburnu Municipality and tried to make up for this deficiency.” 

“Mr. Ömer’s situation is a bit different from mine. I am a candidate whom Zeytinburnu does not know. My wife worked at the Zeytinburnu Municipality for 16 years. We got married at the Zeytinburnu marriage office. Is this a disadvantage? Yes, it is a major disadvantage. But I see that we have overcome this to a certain extent by effectively using the campaign we are running, as well as social media and the press.”

“I THINK I HAVE OVERCOME THE ADAPTATION PROBLEM”

“I have been working in public service for 20 years. I started my professional life at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB). I previously worked at the Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality for 5.5 years. For about 10 years, I developed my professional expertise in urban transformation, real estate management, urban planning, and zoning master planning in many districts of Istanbul and many parts of Turkey. Even if I didn't know Zeytinburnu individually, those 20 years brought the knowledge to understand its mosaic. What is in this mosaic? There are immigrants, our fellow citizens from the East and Southeast, people from the Black Sea region, people from Çankırı, and the Turkic world.”

“I have been to Uzbekistan 4 times and worked with our fellow citizens from East Turkestan. I went to Cizre for 3 years. I learned about the hardships our people in the Southeast endure by living them alongside them. I produced urban transformation projects in Gaziosmanpaşa and Bayrampaşa for years. I also have very good relations with immigrants. The Turkish mosaic is similar to the Zeytinburnu mosaic. In this sense, I think I have overcome the adaptation problem very easily. My fellow citizens in Zeytinburnu have embraced me and liked me. The comments from the people around me are also in this direction.”

“Thinking that I had reached a sufficient level with this professional knowledge and experience, I decided that I should now take part in the political arena. The winds of change experienced at the CHP’s last grand congress and my observations regarding the fact that the youth can play a more active role in politics were influential in this thought.”

“I REALLY WANT TO BE A CHILD OF ZEYTİNBURNU”

I didn't feel like I belonged to any particular district in Istanbul. I lived in Ataşehir, Esenyurt, Beşiktaş,  and Üsküdar. But I am not from there. There wasn't a district I felt I belonged to. Now there is Zeytinburnu. It is a twist of fate that I am a candidate from Zeytinburnu, one of the few districts where I can best experience the neighborhood culture that I love so much and want to feel I belong to. This fabric is a great opportunity for me. This neighborhood has a culture. They ask me if I can be a 'Zeytinburnu kid.' By God, I have become a Zeytinburnu resident. I want this very much. I have a flutter in my heart. I hope that when we win the election and build the Zeytinburnu Stadium, I will experience this feeling even more intensely when I am shouting in those stands with the children of Zeytinburnu until I lose my voice.”

“I AM ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO KNOWS URBAN TRANSFORMATION BEST”

In all scientific studies, Zeytinburnu is cited as one of the districts that will suffer the most damage from an Istanbul earthquake. Faulty planning in the past and urban transformation projects that have victimized citizens have become a festering wound for the district. Soytürk explained his experience and projects on this subject with the following words:

“When you think of urban transformation as a production line with all its stages, there are only 2-3 people within the borders of Turkey who know it as well as I do. I am one of the rare people raised by Turkey on this subject.

When an urban transformation problem comes before me, I can immediately define it based on my experience, saying it should be done this way. I can also explain it through the actual locations in Zeytinburnu. We have a region that was planned to be built as a reserve area next to the Millet Bahçesi (Nation's Garden) in the 2019 elections and where construction has taken place. The current mayor 'I will use this area as a housing stock area; the owners of the houses demolished during urban transformation will not have to rent elsewhere, they will live here for one year. When their own homes are finished, they will move back.' he promised as part of his election campaign.

When he was unable to do this later, 'we will use this as a housing stock area to relocate old buildings from another neighborhood or another location. We will carry out a new project in the area we have cleared, and with that project, we will move the existing B to A. Then we will bring them back from C to B. Thus, it will be 'Produce-Transfer-Empty'; produce in the empty space, transfer the occupied one here. Since the place I transferred from is now empty, we will use it again in a 'Produce-Transfer-Empty' manner.' he said. 

This is indeed a correct methodology for using stock and reserve areas. The reserve area where the current construction is taking place, the plot at the old military housing next to the public garden, is 20,000 square meters. In contrast to this 20,000 square meters, the plot where the Veliefendi worker blocks are located is 52,000 square meters gross. The negotiation process is being followed. A debt amount is being quoted to the citizens. It does not happen because the citizens do not accept it, and as a result of this negotiation, they are moving to another alternative area. In Merkezefendi Neighborhood, next to the Yedikule Chest Diseases Hospital, A decision is made to relocate an area that has no zoning, no license, no occupancy permit, and mostly consists of vacant plots on a 13,000-square-meter parcel. This relocated site is not a new area where housing can be produced, as in the 'Produce-Transfer-Empty' model. Even if it were produced, the place we abandoned and gave up is 20,000 square meters. This place is 13,000 square meters. Therefore, it is full of errors from the start. Beyond the initial rhetoric, it turns into a project that consumes available public resources as a result.

If it were me, I would accept the workers' blocks in Veliefendi without internal borrowing and provide the construction on this 20,000-square-meter parcel. I would take the 52,000-square-meter vacant land. On this 52,000 square meters, I would again produce 300 housing units on 20,000 square meters. On the remaining 32,000-square-meter plot, I would build a 2-story underground parking garage, and above it, a nursery, school, and health center... whatever needs the surrounding Veliefendi, Çırpıcı, and Beştelsiz neighborhoods require. I would use the 20,000 square meters to produce stock housing again and use a transfer area from another location.

“URBAN TRANSFORMATION IS A PROCESS OF CONSENSUS”

When you do this, not only would our youth in the workers' blocks be happy, but all the residents in the existing neighborhood surrounding the workers' blocks would also benefit from this service. This is the perspective on municipalism and the vision of urban transformation.

But unfortunately, we do not have an administration that structures this correctly. This is also somewhat related to professional formation, professional knowledge, and experience. Mr. Ömer is a lawyer. Besides that, he served as an advisor at the Ministry of Culture. His area of interest and expertise is more in legal matters and the fields of culture and arts.

However, urban transformation is a completely different field. Because he is insufficient in filling the gap in the field of urban transformation, he does not face this area. All the implementations carried out by the municipality together with TOKİ in Telsiz Neighborhood, Beştelsiz Neighborhood, the reserve area, or the Albanian neighborhood have turned into a tangle of problems.

Because when he cannot face a problem as a lawyer, he needs to refer the matter to the law. If there is a problem, let the law solve it. However, urban transformation is only possible when the law cuts out the gangrenous part; it is a process of consensus. If you cannot manage this consensus process correctly, if you cannot empathize and put yourself in the citizen's shoes, the victimization of the citizen becomes inevitable. 

We have an island-based urban transformation project in Telsiz Neighborhood that was demolished 7 years ago and started its transformation project. The project is starting across from Çağteks. The floor heights are high, there is an underground parking garage, and agreements with people are beginning. Meanwhile Due to the City Wall Protection Isolation Zone, building heights cannot reach the desired levels. Construction begins after various problems. While the keys were planned to be handed over in mid-2021, the delivery date has been delayed by 2.5 years. Construction projects have had to undergo changes, floors have been reduced, and indoor parking lots have been canceled. Parking and traffic are in the 2nd or 3rd place on the list of Zeytinburnu's most important problems. Residences are starting to be built without parking. The process, which started with a debt amount of 200,000-250,000 TL for citizens, has now risen to debts of 2.5-3 million TL. The keys have still not been handed over, and TOKİ is still unable to continue the construction. Due to this problem, at least 400 families have been victimized, and there is no solution. There is no work in which the municipality is a party or is making an effort to solve as a solution.  In Beştelsiz Neighborhood, the place where Kuran Petrol is located, plus the sites behind it, are being demolished. The urban transformation process is beginning. Even before the apartments are delivered, they are broken and dilapidated due to poor workmanship inside. Citizens are boycotting and protesting. Similarly, the debt amount has increased significantly. Likewise, no amenity areas have been created. Similarly, the number of parking spaces is insufficient. There are 524 independent units in the Arnavut neighborhood, and our total number of open and closed parking spaces is 316. That means there is no space for 210 vehicles.

IRREGULAR MIGRANT PROBLEM: THE GOVERNMENT'S VOTE BANK

One of the leading problems of Zeytinburnu is the refugee problem. 

The government sees this as a vote bank. Zeytinburnu has been the first choice and the destination for many asylum seekers or refugees, including those of Turkish descent who have been coming to Turkey for about 60 years. This has caused significant reactions and a major demographic shift in the district, especially due to the government's asylum seeker policy in recent years. Holding the government responsible for finding a solution to this issue, Soytürk said the following:

“This issue is actually a problem for us. For the current government, it has turned into a tool to maintain its own administration. The solution to this problem lies within the authority of our President, but our President does not use this issue as a problem, but as a key for his own survival. Because they have a very serious potential to vote. As far as we know and see from the polls, they tend to vote as a bloc in favor of the current government. Therefore, a solution to this problem is not possible without the current government. The part that falls under our jurisdiction as a municipality is inspection.

We must maximize inspections in areas where we have identified that these people who have arrived through irregular migration are causing problems—such as accommodation, employment, and obtaining licenses—which lead to unfair competition, make it impossible for our existing tradespeople to do business, cause disproportionate rent increases, and have become a sociological issue, while also paying attention to humanitarian conditions and ensuring that we do not disrupt competition in a free market economy. Because a kiosk operating without taxes or licenses can sell at a lower price than another kiosk that operates with taxes and licenses, employs insured staff, and pays taxes. Therefore, a competition problem arises here. We will choose to use inspection mechanisms to the maximum extent to ensure justice. In addition, we will facilitate the integration of this new population by preparing social cohesion programs. Because we must get used to living with them, and they with us.

URBAN TRANSFORMATION AND ZEYTİNBURNUSPOR

Onur Soytürk declared that his biggest projects are to save the people of Zeytinburnu from collapsing in an Istanbul earthquake through urban transformation and to revive Zeytinburnuspor, the club that once gave the 'Big Three' a hard time. Soytürk spoke as follows:

“My first and most important election promise is urban transformation. Because my motivation for becoming the CHP Zeytinburnu mayoral candidate is the need to save Zeytinburnu from 'coffin homes,' and the fact that the CHP recognized this problem and nominated me here; if I become Mayor, this will be the primary issue. 

I am a mayoral candidate who will be elected to carry out urban transformation. Therefore, my first and most important project is to save our fellow citizens from coffin homes. But if you ask what is a project that will reflect on the physical space, I would definitely say the Zeytinburnuspor Stadium and Zeytinburnuspor. The stadium has been deliberately abandoned, impoverished, neglected, relegated, and left to rot. This was done with intent. It seems to me that there is a sense of revenge taken against Zeytinburnu underlying this intent. The greatest sources of motivation for the children and youth of Zeytinburnu have been taken away. Even the responsibility for drug addiction lies with the absence of Zeytinburnuspor. 

I dream that within the 5 years of my term, Zeytinburnuspor will be playing matches on the grass of the Zeytinburnuspor Stadium.

RESPONSE TO THE LOCAL PRESS

Soytürk also answered our questions regarding the reports made against him by the local press. Emphasizing that there is malice in the attacks by the local press, Soytürk spoke as follows:

“We know very well in the Republic of Turkey that not everyone possesses the qualifications regarding press ethics. This exists both nationally and locally. It is even wrong to call them the press. Unfortunately, election periods correspond to the periods of greatest economic development for these groups, whom I cannot call the press. Therefore, in these periods of development, so to speak, he who pays the piper calls the tune. As a bureaucrat who has worked in the public sector for 20 years, when I took the podium ‘I have been appointed as the CHP mayoral candidate for Zeytinburnu. I thank the CHP Party Assembly and the Central Executive Board who appointed me' if a group attacks me over the word 'appointed' in this sentence, I look for malice here.

Because I am a bureaucrat who has worked in the public sector for 20 years. Being appointed to a place or a position is a term ingrained in my language. This is just a very small example.

Do I dwell on these things? I do not. I look ahead. Because I have no time to look back. We are running toward power together with the CHP.”

MERIT, NOT RACE, SECT, OR ORIGIN

Soytürk also addressed the reactions regarding their nomination of Abdulcabbar Barış, who was a parliamentary candidate from the HDP in the past, as a municipal council candidate, which appeared in media reports. Soytürk shared things he had not previously disclosed on this matter with 12punto. Soytürk spoke as follows:

“I am revealing something to you for the first time that I have not previously disclosed to the media on this subject. The population of Zeytinburnu is 280,896. When I become Mayor, I promise an administration that is equidistant, fair, transparent, and democratic to all 280,896 of my fellow citizens.

Within this promise, I will be equidistant to every group, every community, and every sect in a way that includes society, race, and sect. Being equidistant will also be part of our management approach. I will not appoint all the administrative staff in the current municipality from the same community. We will move toward a staffing structure based on merit. We will make appointments by prioritizing the merit of the friends we bring to office, without looking at where they are from, what race they are, or what sect they belong to. We will provide services in the same way, seeing every one of our citizens as equals. Therefore, even if this rhetoric occupies a space in its own universe, it does not occupy a place on our agenda. We are confident in ourselves; we know our own righteousness. I continued this as a management approach during my time as General Manager of İBB İmar A.Ş.

I hope that when I become the Mayor of Zeytinburnu, our fellow citizens in Zeytinburnu will see this as well. I will continue on this path.”

"ABDULCABBAR BEY HAS NO ISSUES WITH THE FLAG, THE NATION, OR THE STATE"

Soytürk, regarding the municipal council candidacy of Abdulcabbar Barış, who has a background in the DEM Party, also stated that there is no legal obstacle:

"We are looking at the problem from the wrong angle. Is there any incompetence, any issue, or any disadvantageous situation regarding Mr. Cabbar being a municipal council candidate legally? Does he have a criminal record or any disgraceful crime or any aspect that prevents him from being a candidate according to the Supreme Election Council (YSK)? No. Does the fact that he was a parliamentary candidate for another party before make him a terrorist or a disgraced person with a shameful crime? It does not."

I haven't conducted a review, but when we look at the lists of all municipal council members in the AK Party, CHP, IYI Party, Saadet Party, and Yeniden Refah Party right now, there are perhaps dozens or hundreds of people who have received similar criticisms because they served in different political parties before. Just as it is wrong for me to be criticized when I am nominated because I have not been involved in politics before, I do not accept the criticism made based on the fact that a friend on my council list was a parliamentary candidate before. It is natural and as it should be. I say this as an older brother whom I have met and spoken with one-on-one and whom I love very much—he already has no concerns with the flag, the nation, or the state."<We are making a person who has been a parliamentary candidate for a political party a municipal council candidate. All the labels attached to him afterward are empty talk. 

We are making a person who has been a parliamentary candidate for a political party a municipal council candidate. All the labels attached to him afterward are empty talk.

Similarly, during the four years I served in the municipality, I was labeled a terrorist by the President. I was placed under suspicion. It is the same logic, the same mindset, the same understanding. I reject this approach. My list includes Kurds, Arabs, Zazas, Albanians, people from the Black Sea region, and people from Sivas. I have to create a mosaic because Zeytinburnu itself is made up of this mosaic. 

Currently, there are many of our fellow citizens from the east and southeast among the President's deputies and ministers. Everyone they put on their lists is 'pure,' while everyone we put on ours is 'tainted.' This is the scenario behind the current government's constant attempt to drive us toward division. 

There is a political understanding based constantly on this culture of alienation and comparison. That is why I always say, 'we will win by uniting.' That is why I always say, 'love will win.' There is no other chance for Turkey, Istanbul, or Zeytinburnu to develop.

Soytürk responded to our question, 'Who made the lists?' as follows:

'Our party organization, our district chair, our headquarters, and our provincial presidency all worked on it together.'

'APPROXIMATELY 230,000 OF THE PEOPLE OF ZEYTİNBURNU ARE NOT ON THE STREETS'

Soytürk expressed his thoughts regarding the people of Zeytinburnu with these words:

I got along very well with the market tradesmen. The market tradesmen greet me with applause in some places, saying, 'Oh, the mayor has arrived.' The aunts and uncles I meet at the market come up, hug me, and embrace me. They stroke my cheeks. We have truly captured that electricity and frequency very well. But I am sure that I will also get along very well with the fellow citizens I have not yet met. 

Those fellow citizens I haven't met yet likely leave at 7 a.m. to take the Marmaray or the Metrobus. They return home at 8 p.m. They are in their homes all night and are not in Zeytinburnu during the day. They are either registered in Zeytinburnu or working in textile workshops in basements. And in the sequences when they go back home, we don't cross paths. 

DON'T GO TO THE COAST, WATCH FROM THE TERRACE

Soytürk also made the following remarks regarding the permitted construction on the Zeytinburnu coast and the public's severed relationship with the waterfront:

We have to do many things that will contribute to the economic crisis. The 2024 budget of the Zeytinburnu Municipality is 3.6 billion TL. If this 3.6 billion TL is used correctly and spent properly, it is a budget with which many things can be achieved.

However, our Zeytinburnu municipality is not using this budget very correctly. When our Zeytinburnu mayor is asked about his top 3 projects in a television program he attended, he mentions the State Hospital to be built by the Ministry of Health, the Zeytinburnuspor Stadium to be built by the IMM, and a viewing terrace. The viewing terrace is a place where we have a spot facing the sea, located at the empty parking lot next to the current wedding hall, where we can sit and eat sunflower seeds. What a grand project!

If a survey were conducted on the street and we asked these 280,896 people residing in Zeytinburnu, how many have gone to the Zeytinburnu coast in the last year?

Look, he still doesn't say he will take them down to the coast. He promises to watch the sea from a viewing terrace above the coastal road. Actually, he is aware of the 'Great Wall of China' problem, but we still cannot get people down to the seaside. If we multiply 3.6 billion by five, that makes 18 billion. Unfortunately, our biggest project regarding the money he will spend in the next 5 years is a viewing terrace!