WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND OUR CITIES, HISTORY AND NATURE

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND OUR CITIES, HISTORY AND NATURE

We greeted with astonishment that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s threats and accusations towards TMMOB’S organization in Urban Planning Council realized yesterday. We condemn this manner fiercely.

After our legal and architectural criticisms with respect to decision about Ataturk Culture Center to be demolished and construction of another project, Erdoğan has targeted our Union. He mentioned clearly that he would have denied adjudications.

First of all it should be known that Atatürk Culture Center, which is one of the monument structures of history of republic, to be demolished as an accomplished fact is not possible. Due to its cultural, historical and architectural value, Atatürk Culture Center has been under protection by means of national and international protection laws. Attempting such destruction by taking advantage of State of Emergency will result a dead loss.

It is a grave dilemma that the President complained about disappearance of spirit of cities within the same speech while he insists on destruction of Atatürk Culture Center which is symbol of modernization of Istanbul and Turkey.

In every period of their political live the ones who deny their own history, who refute what they did, who reject responsibility of their faults try to carry their crime towards nature and cities on other’s shoulders.

Mr. President complains about squatting, skyscapes, unplanned urbanization, perishing of urban fabric as if another political party has ruled Istanbul for 23 years.

Mr. President mentions importance of protection of green as if another political party dried waters, sold forests, zoned coats for construction.

Mr. President criticizes concretion as if they are not AKP municipalities who transformed green areas, parks, emergency assembly points into shopping centers. 

Mr. President talks about tranquility in earth as if he is not the one who would like to transform Gezi Park, which is one of the rare breathing spaces in Istanbul, into Topçu Barrack.

Mr. President mentions importance of historical heritage as if they are not the ones who routed thousand years of historical fortunes of this country, such as Alinoi, Zeugma, Hasankeyf.

TMMOB has always been in leading edge in struggle against attacks by economic profit groups towards our cities and nature. We has defended our cultural heritage, cities and nature by means of suits we commenced, campaigns we run, scientific reports we prepared, explanations we made for information of public opinion against policies of destruction and pillage.

The reason for hatred and grudge nurtured against TMMOB by AKP and their municipalities is this honorable attitude towards all attempts inimical to science, humankind and benefits of country and public.

We get strength from our education, love for humanity in our hearts, social core of our profession and our members and public who protect us. We neither live in glass pavilions nor rely on interest bandits or public resources.

Today as it was yesterday, we will continue to make an effort for benefit of public and society; protect our country, public, profession and colleagues; sound realities under the light of reason and science despite all attacks.

Emin Koramaz

TMMOB Chairman of Executive Council