Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Recep Altepe stated that they realized 2 thousand 200 expropriation in Bursa within 8 years and they spent 151 million liras for this purpose. Recep Altepe highlighted that Bursa is also located in earthquake zone as the other cities and said that “most of the buildings in the city were built before the earthquake in 1999. Therefore, the buildings are much risky”. Recep Altepe noted that there are 350 thousand buildings within borders of the metropolis in Bursa and said that “They must be reconstructed. Transformation law was enacted, but it is not so easy to implement it. Citizens must be conscious and prefer to reside in a stable building”. Recep Altepe noted that they determined urban transformation areas upon request from the Ministry following the transformation law and said:” We announced older settlement places in the city center and old building in the main streets as transformation areas. Zoning increases may be seen for the buildings to be newly constructed in such areas in this way, we may encourage new buildings. We may give 130 flats against 100 flats”. Altepe emphasized that it is advantageous that the buildings in urban transformation areas are 2-3 storey building sin Bursa and stated that transformation will be easier in such areas. Altepe noted that citizens will have great responsibility thereafter and provided the following information “we, as municipality, perform transformation projects. Our Sıcaksu, İntan regions and Yalova highway projects are still ongoing. If citizens act consciously on this issue, we will make transformations in cooperation.” Recep Altepe stated that in addition to being an industrial city, Bursa initiated attempts in tourism field and noted that 10 pcs 5-star hotel investments are ongoing in the city. Altepe explained that they, as municipality, grant incentives to the investors and said that “we also invite the investors in Istanbul. We are ready to grant zoning incentives in the lands where hotels will be constructed”.
Altepe explained that they will build square in the place of the oldest stadium in city center and said that “We will not allow construction in 80 thousand square meter area. This place will be new square and attraction place of the city. It will be open to public and many events will take place there”.
Recep Altepe stated that they plan to connect Ulubat Lake and Marmara Sea for further development of Bursa in tourism respect and said that “There is a 38 kilometer river between two points. We will enlarge there and construct a yacht port. Ships will pass over it. Besides, we will build theme park like Disneyland”. Recep Altepe explained that they make various investments for Uludağ, one of the most important places of the city and stated that they constructed a 8.5 kilometer cable car line in Uludağ. The cable car, which can operate even in 140 kilometer speed wind, will provide great contribution to Uludağ. Recep Altepe emphasized that they perform many renewal works to highlight historical features of the city and said that “We restore about 255 historical places in Bursa. All city walls are restored. There are archeological excavations. There is not any other municipality that may compete with us in the world in this field”. Recep Altepe emphasized that Bursa has the longest underground railway according to the population and provided the following information: “We completed University and Mudanya underground railway lines. The underground railway will reach to 17 kilometers with Kestel stage. Investments will be completed within 4 years. We will add 6 kilometers to the tram of 3 kilometer. Then, we will have a railway system of 26 kilometers. Besides, we realized 11 junctions and bridges”
Reference: NTVMSNBC
