Ministry Ramps Up Reconstruction Efforts in Earthquake-Affected Cities
The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change continues its relentless efforts following the February 6th Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. In February, 76,000 disaster housing and village homes were handed over to rightful owners in the affected cities. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that 200,000 homes would be delivered by the end of this year, promising that all earthquake victims would have new homes by the end of 2025.
In addition to disaster housing and village homes, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change is also rebuilding city squares in the most affected areas: Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Adıyaman. Minister Mehmet Özhaseki explained, “We are reconstructing the city squares of Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Adıyaman with both their infrastructure and superstructure. We are not just producing housing in the earthquake-affected regions. We are also building city squares that will restore the vitality of our cities and strengthen commercial life, in accordance with their historical and cultural essence.”
Following the February 6th earthquakes, the Ministry has been executing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for the affected cities, aligning with President Erdoğan’s directives. Minister Özhaseki further elaborated, “We are reconstructing the city squares of Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Adıyaman with their infrastructure and superstructure. The squares will not only rejuvenate our cities but also bolster commercial activities, while respecting historical and cultural integrity.”
“WE WILL CARRY OUR CITY SQUARES INTO THE FUTURE WITH COMMON WISDOM”
In a written statement, Minister Özhaseki highlighted the rapid progress in constructing these iconic city squares and the streets leading to them. He emphasized the coordinated meetings held during visits to the earthquake region, which included provincial deputies, governors, mayors, scientists, members of architectural and engineering chambers, NGOs, sociologists, psychologists, community leaders, citizens, teachers, and students. Minister Özhaseki stressed the importance of listening to and noting down their suggestions and needs. He reiterated the Ministry’s firm stance on not allowing construction on fault lines or liquefaction-prone ground and maintaining strict zero-tolerance standards in architectural and engineering services. “We listened to everyone who had something to say about our cities, without marginalizing anyone, and took note of their suggestions. Thus, we will carry our city squares into the future with common wisdom. We also took an inventory of the needed schools, health centers, and social facilities and took immediate action. Our city squares, whose construction continues without interruption, are rapidly rising,” he said.
“OUR GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CITY SQUARES WILL BE A BRIDGE FROM TODAY TO TOMORROW”
Highlighting the Ministry’s environmental sensitivity, Minister Özhaseki stated that the city squares in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, and Adıyaman are designed to reflect horizontal and local architecture, preserving the neighborhood culture. These squares will be safe, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and Zero Waste-compliant. “Our city squares, planned as green and environmentally friendly, will serve as new living spaces for our citizens and a bridge from today to tomorrow. All four cities will have beautiful, safe, green, and environmentally friendly city squares,” he emphasized.
“WE ARE ALSO REVIVING HISTORICAL STRUCTURES THAT WERE DEMOLISHED OR DAMAGED”
Minister Özhaseki concluded, noting the concurrent reconstruction and restoration efforts, “We are also reviving historical structures that were demolished or damaged. We preserve the traces of our civilization and carry our cultural heritage into the future.”