Following the floods that affected Istanbul, the debate over Kanal İstanbul and construction in Sazlıbosna has returned to the agenda during field inspections. Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum responded to criticisms from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, stating that "only social housing projects" are being carried out in the area.
Kurum listened to the demands of citizens affected by the flood in Sarıyer's Ayazağa neighborhood and stated that he held meetings regarding the work to be carried out with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan and the Sarıyer Municipality.
Pointing out that climate change increases disaster risks, Kurum emphasized the importance of permanent measures. Kurum said, "The climate is changing, and we will experience these disasters more frequently. Therefore, fighting climate change is not a choice, but a necessity."
Touching upon the stream rehabilitation works in Ayazağa, Kurum stated, "The continuation of the unfinished stream rehabilitation is essential. We held a meeting with our Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor and our Sarıyer Municipality regarding this. We have made a decision to carry out what needs to be done together. We want to ensure our people do not experience the same problem in future disasters."
Kanal İstanbul DEBATE
Evaluating Özgür Özel's criticisms regarding the Kanal İstanbul project and construction in Sazlıbosna, Kurum argued that political debates are being conducted over the flood disaster.
Kurum said, "We are experiencing one of the biggest flood disasters in Istanbul. Making politics out of this event is a sign of weakness. It is an attempt by Özgür Özel to cover up his own incompetence. Only social housing projects are being built on the Kanal İstanbul project site."
Minister Kurum also shared figures regarding housing projects, stating that 1 million 700 thousand homes have been built to date, and 455 thousand homes have been delivered in two years across the 11 provinces in the earthquake zone.
Continuing his criticism of Özel, Kurum said, "Because he does not go out on the streets, he does not know what is wanted on the street. He should go down to the street and see what is wanted in Ayazağa. We are not playing politics; he should not try to cover up his own administrative incompetence with these slanders, he should come and see what the citizens' demands are."
Özgür Özel, in a television program he previously attended, had argued that construction in Sazlıbosna poses a risk in terms of stream beds and water basins. Özel had claimed that the work carried out within the scope of Kanal İstanbul is problematic in terms of ground and construction, and had stated that there is a contradiction between Kurum's statements against construction in stream beds and his actual practices.
News Source: 12punto
