President Alemdar’s 2-month report card: ‘Sakarya will gain spacious and modern living areas with island-based urban transformation’

Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Alemdar evaluated his 2-month term with the press members. Making important statements regarding urban transformation, transportation, and water discount, Alemdar said, ‘After the free tariff in transportation and the discount in water, we are working on new steps that will touch people’s lives.’ Alemdar also stated that they will solve the issue of stray animals without violating their right to life, and announced that they will create modern and spacious living areas through neighborhood-based urban transformation. Alemdar also shared details for the transformation of Uzunçarşı for the first time.
Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Alemdar met with the press members at a breakfast program to evaluate and consult on his 2-month term in office. Alemdar emphasized the importance of city media for gathering the city’s demands and listening to the citizens with a vision of ‘transparent municipality.’ Answering the journalists’ questions, Mayor Alemdar stated that they identified the city’s priority issues during the 62-day period. Alemdar mentioned that they provided free or discounted tariffs in transportation and a discount in water to over 1 million people, saying, ‘We are working to offer more and contribute to our citizens’ economy.’
Alemdar touched upon the protection of Sapanca Lake, the process related to unauthorized constructions, and issues related to water usage. Highlighting transportation, transformation, zoning integrity, and economic value-added, Alemdar made evaluations on these topics. Mentioning the goal of creating new markets, bazaars, social facilities, and sports areas through neighborhood-based urban transformation, Alemdar also answered a question about stray animals. Giving a signal of an important process for the transformation of Uzunçarşı, Mayor Alemdar stated that the area will be designed in a way that the top can be covered and opened when necessary, saying, ‘We will turn the region into a closed living space and revitalize it.’
‘We made free tariff in transportation and a significant discount in water’
Mayor Alemdar, who mentioned the services he implemented shortly after taking office by saying ‘We Promised, We Did,’ said, ‘In the 62 days since we took office, we categorized the demands we received from 16 districts into short, medium, and long term priorities. During this time, we listened to all ideas to be able to reach everyone. We provided free or discounted tariffs in transportation and a significant discount in water to our citizens. I would like to point out that our plans are ongoing to offer more. We have started initiatives for our elderly and disabled citizens with social municipality.’
‘Uzunçarşı will be a living area’
Alemdar stated, ‘Uzunçarşı reflects the history of our city. It has buildings that reflect the oldest culture of the city and allow eye contact from one side to the other. We are striving to turn Long Bazaar into a living space to showcase our local history. We will include the coppersmiths’ bazaar and the shoemakers’ bazaar in the Long Bazaar and aim to keep the area lively. Our covered bazaar will be designed in a way that can be opened occasionally.’
‘Preserving the lake and greenery is our sensitivity’
Alemdar mentioned that they will monitor every drop of water taken from the lake, saying, ‘We have sensitivity to protect Sapanca Lake and its greenery. Sapanca is very important to us. The building inventory plan is crucial in this regard. Legal decisions will be made for the permitting processes. We will work on a new project around our lake in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Provincial Directorate of Tourism. I did not allow permanent structures in my term. All constructions will be in accordance with zoning plans and have permits. We have 39 leased water sources in Sakarya, through SASKI and the Special Administration. As for mineral waters, they are leased by our Governor. We have discussed with the Governor to determine whether the mineral waters given are actually mineral. We have requested to transfer the leasing of mineral waters to SASKI. We will monitor every drop of water taken from our natural paradise lake.’
‘Sakaryaspor is our common uniting factor’
Yusuf Alemdar said, ‘Sakaryaspor is our common uniting factor. We will continue our support. It united the city after many years. We all believed. We met with our business people to run a campaign, but it was not meant to be. Within our limits, we will continue to support amateur sports and Sakaryaspor, the greatest value of this city.’
‘Rail system, earthquake, and electric buses’
Alemdar stated that they are working on putting electric buses into service by the end of the year, saying, ‘The rail system project has been considered. Although cost-saving measures have been affected, everything is progressing well. I would like to mention this here. Transportation is one of the city’s most urgent issues. We will work diligently to ease urban transportation and provide alternatives to our citizens. We also have a plan to put electric buses into service by the end of the year. Another priority is transformation and resilient buildings. We do not know when the earthquake will strike, and we are in an earthquake belt. Our goal is to build earthquake-resistant and resilient buildings in terms of building inventory in Sakarya.’
‘There will be an urban plan that will not change for 100 years’
Mayor Yusuf Alemdar said, ‘We will ensure zoning integrity. There are zoning violations in Adapazarı, different ones in Serdivan, low-rise in Güneşler, and high-rise in Yenikent, and we need to eliminate these. There are constant requests for zoning amendments in the council, which I do not find right. Our goal is to gather everyone’s opinion and put the city settlement in an overall order with a strong urban plan we will create. Let’s make a plan that will not change for 50 or 100 years. Through neighborhood-based urban transformation, we will create larger living spaces. We can add new squares, social facilities, and bazaars.’
‘The stray animal problem will be solved’
Addressing the issue of stray animals, Alemdar said, ‘The streets belong to our children. A study must be done to ensure that children can walk on the streets safely. We will conduct a study with district-based care and local interventions. We will collect our street animals in shelters, take care of them, and meet their needs. We will leave our streets to our children.’ After the Q&A session, the journalists and Mayor Alemdar took a commemorative photo of the day.