Cooperation for urban transformation in Manisa

Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Architect Ferdi Zeyrek and Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban evaluated the process with the neighborhood muhtars and association presidents after the declaration of Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods as risky areas.

The Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods in Yunusemre district of Manisa have been declared as risky areas by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The Manisa Metropolitan Municipality and Yunusemre Municipality joined forces to solve the problems faced in the context of urban transformation in Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods. Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Architect Ferdi Zeyrek, Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban, Yunusemre Municipality Deputy Mayor Haydar İzci, Laleli Neighborhood Muhtar Yadigar Şahin, Mesir Neighborhood Muhtar Semra Geçer, President of the Mesir Neighborhood Social Assistance Association Zuhal Doymaz, and President of the Laleli and Mesir Neighborhood Solidarity Association Pınar Seyret held a meeting to evaluate the process following the declaration of the neighborhoods as risky areas.

“We hear the voices of our citizens”
Mayor Architect Ferdi Zeyrek stated that the Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods, declared as risky areas, are under the authority of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek said, “Our Yunusemre Municipality will first request a transfer of authority from the Ministry. After receiving the authority, it is our greatest wish for the Metropolitan Municipality and Yunusemre Municipality to work together to solve this problem for our citizens. We will share every step of the problem’s solution with our muhtars and the president of the association. The priority here is to solve this problem and create a livable city that is resistant to earthquakes and natural disasters. The Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods are located in the heart of Yunusemre. We do not want to leave any of our citizens in a structure of this nature and in a state of hopelessness. We hear the voices of those citizens; we are aware of the difficulties they face. We gathered with Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban to solve this problem together with our muhtars and the president of the association,” he expressed.

“We will share the process with full transparency”
Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek continued, “As Manisa Metropolitan Municipality and Yunusemre Municipality, it is our responsibility to conduct correspondence with the ministry for the solution of this problem. It is also our duty to prepare new zoning regulations and plans concerning the construction process. It is the duty of our muhtars and association presidents to convey this to the citizens living here with full transparency and ensure their involvement in this process. What we aim for in the Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods is this: a resident with a 3+1 apartment will receive another 3+1 apartment. We will organize the construction rules accordingly, provided that they are in the same location and region. Our city planners have been working on this for a month. They have produced very nice plans. Once we receive the transfer of authority, we will share every stage of these plans with our citizens in neighborhood meetings. Only after receiving everyone’s approval will we start such a project. Our goal is to create cities that are resistant to earthquakes and natural disasters and to provide living opportunities for our citizens in luxurious, livable environments as they deserve. In this context, we want to inform you that we will share the process with full transparency here,” he stated.

Stressing that the urban transformation process is a bleeding wound for the citizens living in this area, Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek said, “Unfortunately, our predecessors did not hear their voices. They did not hear or see their cries. But we hope to act as a bandage for this wound. We will live this together with full transparency by explaining the processes one by one to each citizen living there. The most important thing for us is to be together and act together. The first step in this will be initiated by our Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban, who will request the transfer of authority. I hope that our colleagues and Minister in the Ministry will not be indifferent to this matter. They will also do their part in ensuring that our citizens live in the environments they dream of and deserve. We will convey every stage of the process to our citizens,” he said.

“We will not do anything against the will of the people”
Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban stated that they will carry out the urban transformation project together under the leadership of the Metropolitan Municipality. Mayor Balaban said, “The most fundamental feature of this is that we will not do anything against the will of the people. We will ensure beautiful urbanization by protecting the interests of the people alongside them. I thank our Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and his team for taking the lead in this matter. I also thank our muhtars and association presidents for protecting the interests of the people.”

“They showed once again that they are on the side of the people”
Laleli Neighborhood Muhtar Yadigar Şahin expressed that they have been continuing the struggle for a month. Muhtar Şahin said, “My mayors have shown once again that they are on the side of the people. First of all, I thank them on behalf of my people. Along with them, I will do my utmost to protect the interests of my people and be by their side. In the upcoming process, they should be at ease, we are in safe hands,” he said.

“We will walk together with our mayors”
Muhtar Yadigar Şahin also called on the neighborhood residents, saying, “Valuable residents of Laleli and Mesir neighborhoods. We have received the fruits of our struggle, which we have been carrying out for a month. Thanks to our two mayors, they stated that they are on the side of the people and showed it. A company is currently surveying our neighborhoods and signing contracts. I kindly ask you not to sign the company’s contract. We will walk together with our mayors; I trust them. We will continue to progress on this path,” he stated.

Mesir Neighborhood Muhtar Semra Geçer said, “In this process, the only thing the people want is for you to be behind them. You are already behind us; I thank you very much on their behalf. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful process.” Mesir Neighborhood Social Assistance Association President Zuhal Doymaz also thanked Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Architect Ferdi Zeyrek and Yunusemre Municipality Mayor Semih Balaban. Doymaz said, “I thank my mayors and muhtars. I believe that everything will be very beautiful.” Laleli and Mesir Neighborhood Solidarity Association President Pınar Seyret said, “I thank our mayors. I also believe that there will be more beautiful things in the upcoming process. The most important issue was that we needed to consult together. Thank you for considering this.”