People's Alliance AKP Üsküdar Mayoral Candidate Hilmi Türkmen: 'We brought an additional +1 floor zoning permit to our neighborhood'

Hilmi Türkmen, the People's Alliance AKP mayoral candidate for Üsküdar, admitted to granting more than the standard zoning permit on a banner he put up for the election in Üsküdar. Responding to reactions on social media, Türkmen defended himself by saying, "Thanks to this new plan, 50-year-old, entirely risky buildings in the central neighborhoods of Üsküdar will be transformed."

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People's Alliance AKP Üsküdar Mayoral Candidate Hilmi Türkmen: 'We brought an additional +1 floor zoning permit to our neighborhood'

The People's Alliance AKP mayoral candidate for Üsküdar, Hilmi Türkmen, has been serving as the Mayor of Üsküdar for two terms.

Türkmen, who was re-nominated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has begun his election campaign.

'DESPITE THE CHP...'

Boastfully writing on a banner that he granted a +1 floor zoning permit to the Mimar Sinan neighborhood in Üsküdar, Türkmen also emphasized that he did this despite the CHP's 'no' vote.

The banner included the statement: "Dear residents of Mimar Sinan, despite the CHP's 'No' vote, we brought an additional +1 floor zoning permit to our neighborhood. Best of luck."

This banner, which came to the agenda on the anniversary of the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, sparked a debate on social media.

'50-YEAR-OLD RISKY BUILDINGS WILL BE TRANSFORMED WITH THIS PLAN'

Making a statement after the reactions, AKP Üsküdar Mayoral Candidate Hilmi Türkmen said, "Thanks to this new plan, 50-year-old, entirely risky buildings in the central neighborhoods of Üsküdar will be transformed," and added the following:

"An additional 1-floor right has been approved for every parcel that combines 800 m2 (3 buildings). Do you know what this means? It means people can transform their 50-year-old, dilapidated buildings at zero or very low cost. It means our people, who do not have enough financial power for transformation, will not have to wait for the earthquake in fear!

Moreover, thanks to the 800 m2 combination we made mandatory, it means that with the underground parking that can be built, roads will be left to pedestrians and more social facility areas will remain for our public.

But some people continue to provide false information to the public without knowing anything, without even bothering to call and get information. When we have lost so many lives, please be truly responsible and stop misleading people. We will join hands with our nation and remove the earthquake from being a painful reality for us."