Düzce Mayor Faruk Özlü: "Let's make this transformation happen."

The meeting held at Prof. Dr. Erol Güngör Cultural Center was attended by Düzce Mayor Dr. Faruk Özlü , Düzce Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (DESOB) President Mustafa Kayıkcı, Turkish Contractors Association President Mehmet Erdal Eren, and Marmara Şehircilik Urban Transformation Project Consultancy Executive Board President Mehmet Pazarcı attended the event.

MAYOR ÖZLÜ: THE PROPERTY IS YOURS, THE DECISION IS YOURS

Düzce Mayor Dr. Faruk Özlü, who delivered the opening remarks, said, “The purpose of today’s meeting is to consult with property owners. We’ve held these meetings in the past. But back then, there was a problem: the need to build an industrial zone to accommodate tenants and business owners.”

It didn't seem right to us to bring up the issue of moving without doing that. So we stopped our activities in the old industrial market at that time. We focused on building a new, modern industrial market. "We've embarked on this project. The first phase is complete and we've delivered it. The second and third phases are currently under construction. Hopefully, we'll complete them by the end of the year," he said.

Mayor Özlü emphasized that the views of property owners would be taken into consideration during the transformation process, saying, "We will do whatever you want. Because the property is yours. We want a transformation that benefits property owners and gives Düzce an aesthetically pleasing and functional structure."

TWO ALTERNATIVE PROJECTS WERE PRESENTED

Speaking at the meeting, Marmara Urbanization General Manager Mehmet Pazarcı provided technical information about the area where the old industrial bazaar is located. Pazarcı noted that the approximately 7.7 hectare (77 acres) area was declared an urban transformation area in 2013, adding that there were 321 parcels in the area and that the structures He said that most of them are unlicensed or unauthorized structures.

Pazarcı, who offers two different transformation models to property owners, stated that island-based transformation is a flexible, parcel-based model that allows rightful owners to transform their existing islands individually or jointly. This model includes office, residential, and commercial units. announced that it was planned.

Pazarcı noted that area-based transformation is a more comprehensive model that encompasses the entire project area, includes indoor and outdoor commercial areas, and aims to make Düzce a center of attraction. He added that this model will include a central commercial axis, public spaces, a cultural center, and potentially units such as a hotel or hospital.

Pazarcı reminded that there is no zoning plan in the area, which has been declared a transformation zone since 2013, and that for this reason, the parcels in the area have experienced serious problems in transactions such as valuation, mortgage or sale. Pazarcı said, "Today, this area cannot create any value without being zoned. These problems can be overcome with urban transformation."

“LET’S MAKE THIS TRANSFORMATION HAPPEN”

Mayor Özlü, who listened to the opinions and demands of property owners, stated that some tradesmen had backed down from moving, saying, "We have to move. The first one to move will profit, the last one will lose." Özlü emphasized his determination to find a solution, saying, “Our goal is to implement a transformation process that benefits everyone. If you say, ‘Let's not have a transformation,’ that's a solution too. Let's make this transformation happen. Our property owners should benefit, and our tradespeople shouldn't suffer. If we do the right thing and convince Ankara, we will benefit. I believe this transformation is a great opportunity for Düzce.”