Tag: gezi park

MEMORY LANE : Turkish Prime Minister Is Practicing Landscape Architecture Without a License

THIS ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) DIRT Blog. TF SELECTED TO REMIND US……

06/13/2013 by The Dirt Contributor

I have been under stress watching the recent events take place in my native Turkey. These events began with peaceful demonstrations on May 29 by environmentally-minded citizens who wanted to preserve one of the last remaining green spaces in Istanbul. They did not want to see the demolition and privatization of a public park known as Gezi (Promenade) Park in a major public open space in the district of Taksim. However, excessive use of force by the riot police — with their use of water cannons, rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators — quickly brought more protesters, who then introduced an anti-government agenda. Public gatherings in support of the Gezi Park as well as anti-government demonstrations quickly spread over to other major cities and 78 of Turkey’s 81 provinces. The use of excessive force by police to disperse the protestors in Istanbul, the capital city of Ankara, and the third largest city Izmir, has been clearly documented by the international media. As a result, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his religious-based conservative government look vulnerable for the first time in his ten-year administration. Despite significant economic successes under his leadership, this episode has the potential to tarnish the international image and reputation of Turkey, a majority Muslim country with a strongly secular tradition.

I believe these sad developments can be linked to the top-down planning style of the Prime Minister, who once again took center stage to explain his vision for this public square and park during these tragic events. Furthermore, instead of trying to calm the protestors and approve the requested dialog for public participation, the PM sent in his supporters in addition to riot police.

The plans by the Istanbul city government, which were strongly promoted by the PM, initially called for razing the park to build a shopping mall inspired by a demolished Ottoman Military Barracks. Based on initial protests, the PM backed off plans for a shopping mall on the site, but there are still plans to remove the existing park and building “something” there. For the rest of the Taksim Square, the PM calls for removing several stores to bring an existing church into the open and build a “major mosque” on the other side of the street, in a location that used to be a private theater for musical performances. This is proposed under the guise of open dialog and respect for both religions.

As for the proposed plans and designs: The overall plan, which calls for the removal of the park, would create several underground tunnels to alleviate the traffic congestion that currently plagues the square. They would add very large turf areas in the shape of tulips, which are a revered flower in Turkey and also known to have religious symbolism referring to the Prophet Muhammad. The PM’s statement suggesting that “something” will be built there proves there is no design thought given either to the master plan or the street-level designs (see videos below):

As an educator, I would call the proposed overall plan for the square and the park sophomoric at best. This park has been the subject of many of my projects when I was an undergraduate student in late 1970s. Over the years the park has been encroached upon along its edges and has received minimal maintenance and care; an occasional bench replacement is about that seems to be done.

Despite their neglect, trees have matured and provide the only shaded area and refuge from the highly-motorized greater Taksim square. The current state of the park reminds me of Bryant Park in New York City prior to its most recent renovations. It’s true that something needs to be done to take advantage of this wonderful green oasis in the sea of cars dominating Taksim Square. However, the proposed removal of the park to establish a private shopping center or “something” is not what is needed.

The use of earlier Ottoman Military Barracks as an inspiration for the proposed shopping center (or some other type of building) is also highly questionable. These barracks were the scene of one of the bloodiest uprisings by mullahs, who wanted religious laws enacted during the last decades of the Ottoman Empire (similar to those used in Iran or by the Taliban today). Atatürk (Father of Turks), the founder of today’s modern Turkey, was the Ottoman Military commander who quashed these uprisings in the late 1800s and consequently ordered the destruction of the barracks after the establishment of Turkey in 1923. The promotion of the image of these barracks by the PM as a back drop to the proposed developments begs the question: how much respect does the current government have for the strong secular traditions of the country?

The proposed plans do not seem to give even a cursory thought to the needs of pedestrians. They do not offer any significant design elements for the human scale. Perhaps another unstated objective of the PM is to minimize and eventually remove the monument to the Independence War, which houses sculptures of Atatürk, his commanders, and the unknown soldiers during the final days of the occupied Ottoman Empire. The videos released by the metropolitan city government of the proposed development make this meaningful landmark look as insignificant as an ant.

PM Erdoğan’s government owes some of its economic successes to the privatization of many government institutions, holdings, and services. Some of these privatization efforts were perhaps necessary to encourage private financing and development. But selling national treasures is highly questionable. The government has sold parts of the first model farm in Ankara established by Ataturk to international clients to establish a private resort. At the present, there is extensive clear cutting in the Atatürk Farm.

Let me explain the significance of this: Could you imagine the U.S. Government selling President Jefferson’s Monticello? Similarly, how would the American public react if the U.S. Government or the National Parks Service were to sell some of much-cherished open fields not covered by memorials in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for a private shopping mall development? This is exactly what is happening in Istanbul and other cities in Turkey.

All of these tragic events could have been avoided if either the PM Erdoğan or his representatives were to institute a public hearing system in their planning and design process. Instead the PM is more concerned with the demonstrators questioning his authority and calls them “çapulcu,” meaning marginal and extreme. At other times, he’s called these concerned citizens of Turkey “terrorists.” This is quite ironic considering that it’s the PM’s government who is holding talks with a convicted killer and the head of the internationally recognized terrorist group PKK (Kurdish Separatists).

Prime Minister Erdogan PM and all of his representatives must recognize they are elected to represent the people. These people have shown up in unprecedented numbers to express their opinions and represent themselves. If the PM and his government continue to ignore the voice of the people, they may not be re-elected as the peoples’ representatives. Finally, Mr. Erdoğan needs to make up his mind if he wants to be the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Mayor of City of Istanbul, or an urban designer. If the Prime Minister has no intention of going back to school, then he should let the real design professionals do their job and concentrate on managing the government in a way that will make all Turkish citizens proud.

This guest post is by Professor Sadik Artunc, FASLA, RLA, head of the department of landscape architecture, Mississippi State University. A native of Turkey, Professor Artunc has a BS and MS in forestry and forest engineering from the University of Istanbul and an MLA from the University of Michigan. Prior to arriving in the United States in 1975, he worked in Turkey as a forester for the Ministry of Forestry, as a recreation planner in the Central Planning Office, and as the planning director of the Olympus National Park for the Department of National Parks.

Image credits: (1-2) Turkish Revolution, (3) The Huffington Post, (4-5) Taksim Square / Wikipedia

January 27, 2015
TODAY ERDOĞAN SAID “GODDAMN THE GEZI PARK MOVEMENT.”

ERDOĞAN SAID “GODDAMN THE GEZI PARK MOVEMENT.”
I SAY, “GOD WILL DAMN ERDOĞAN!”

ERDOĞAN, GEZİ HAREKETİNE “LANETLER OLSUN!” DEDİ.
BEN ERDOĞAN’A “ALLAH SENİ LANETLİYECEK!” DİYORUM.

29 March 2014

Today, Erdoğan said “Goddamn the Gezi Park Movement!” Who are you, Erdoğan?

Who are you to say such things, to defame and curse our people? Aren’t you the head of the government of the Republic of Turkey? How shamefully you speak. Like a street-corner thug. You curse the youth of Gezi Park? You ask Allah to damn the youth of Turkey? Our innocent, brave, incorruptible youth, people, unlike you, who do not lie, cheat or steal. You curse the honest future of this nation? How dare you!

Erdoğan, the simple truth is that you have no standing with Allah. Your ranting and cursing insults Allah. In Allah’s eyes you stand with the apes and swine. Allah despises you, Erdoğan. And here is why.

Don’t you know your Koran? You are a murderer, Erdoğan, a murderer, by design, of “believers.” You have murdered eight Gezi Park young people. You and your terrorists and your war criminal American sponsors have murdered tens of thousands of Syrian believers. And many more throughout North Africa. Rather than curse believers, you should tremble in fear of what Allah will do to you here and in the hereafter. And if you truly knew the Koran you would indeed lament and tear your clothing.

Do you know verse 4:92? It says:

“It is unlawful to kill another believer. He that kills a believer shall burn in hell forever. He shall incur the wrath of God, who will lay His curse on him and prepare for him a mighty scourge.”

You are the one who is damned, Erdoğan, not the Gezi Park movement. You have cursed your victims and slandered their mothers. And now you damn them? Your bestial words disgrace you, the Turkish nation and Islam.

Moreover, the world knows of your many slanderous lies. Do you know the punishment for slander? Read verse 24:19 and again become very afraid! It says:

“Those who delight in spreading salacious slander against the faithful shall be sternly punished in this life and in the life to come. God knows, but you do not.”

As for your thieving, the world and Allah, who is mighty and wise, know about this too.

Again, be afraid! Verse 5:39 says: “As for the man and woman who is guilty of theft, cut off their hands to punish them for their crimes. That is the punishment enjoined by God. God is mighty and wise.” Do you know this, Erdoğan? Do you know that all the $500,000 dollar wrist watches will not save you.

Do you know the full horror of the curse of Allah? If not, you should learn it well. It awaits you.

Verse 5:58: “Shall I tell you who will receive a worse reward from God? Those whom God has cursed and with whom He has been angry, transforming them into apes and swine, and those who serve the devil.”

You are serving the devil already, Erdoğan, betraying your country, conspiring with America to murder hundreds of thousands of innocent believers throughout northern Africa and the Middle East.

But while Allah is mighty and wise, He is also merciful. He says so. Read, Erdoğan! “But whoever repents after committing evil, and mends his ways, shall be pardoned by God. God is forgiving and merciful.”

So there is still hope for you, Erdoğan. But, sadly, I despair of your ability to understand Allah when He says, “The life of this world is nothing but a fleeting vanity.” God knows this, Erdoğan, but you do not. And that’s why God will damn you. And why the Gezi Park Movement will flourish.

James (Cem) Ryan
Istanbul
26 March 2014

Source: The Koran, Penguin Books. New York, New York, 1999.

March 27, 2014
Italian FM: Gezi Park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations

The Italian foreign minister expresses hope that Chapter 23 and 24 for Turkey’s EU accession will be opened.

World Bulletin / News Desk

The Gezi park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino told the press on Monday.

Gezi park demonstrations which started in Istanbul over the re-development plans of a central Istanbul park when a group of activists staged a sit-in protest in late May, later turned into anti-government protests.

Bonino emphazised the protests allowed Turkey-EU relations to gain momentum.

Stating that Chapter 22 for Turkey’s EU accession on regional policies was opened, Bonino expressed hope that Chapter 23 and 24 on “judiciary and fundamental rights” and “justice, freedom and security,” respectively will be opened.

The foreign minister, also touching on the Syria crisis, said Turkey carries a heavy burden by hosting a great number of refugees.

“The Syrian opposition must get rid of Al-Qaeda affiliated extremists groups within its body before the Geneva 2 Conference set for January 22,” Bonino said.

Regarding the ongoing protests in Ukraine, which began in November when President Yanukovych rejected to sign a deal on closer ties with the EU, Bonino said what is urgently needed in Ukraine is to prevent a civil war and ease the unrest.

via Italian FM: Gezi Park protests accelerated Turkey-EU relations | Diplomacy | World Bulletin.

December 11, 2013
Gezi protests: Milestone in Turkey’s history

AYLIN KOCAMAN

Turkey has a checkered history of coups. Some elements within the Turkish political system are always on the prowl to push an advancing country backward and impose its agenda on the millions who wish to leave behind a sordid political past.
The most recent and sinister of them all was planned by Ergenekon, which was exposed in time and thwarted to the relief of the majority in the country. However, the Ergenekon coup plot trial exposed the influence of the “deep state” and shocked the Turks who are left wondering as to what extent this organization could go to realize its objectives.
For those not well versed with Turkish politics, it would be imperative to explain the terms, “deep state” and “Ergenekon.”
Ergenekon is an alleged clandestine secularist ultra-nationalist organization with ties to members of the armed forces. This organization is believed to be a part of the “deep state,” which is alleged to be separate group of influential anti-democratic coalitions within the Turkish political system.

The coup plot trial exposed the deep penetration of members of this organization in almost every stratum of society. Most of the people tried and sentenced in the case were former army officials, former politician, journalists and academics.
Despite their failure in overthrowing the government, one of the convicts in the case, Mustafa Balbay, a politician, did not lose hope and tried to sow seeds of fear by proclaiming, “This fall season will be a hot one!”

This articulated threat was perhaps an attempt to link the Gezi Park protests to the verdicts in the Ergenekon coup trial. These people were sadly mistaken.
Let’s talk about the protests that saw a new kind of “citizen politics” and if studied carefully could help understand the changing dynamics in Turkish politics.
Those protests were a healthy sign for democracy in the country. But the ensuing violence and vandalism startled many a Turk. They had no problem with the idea of protests, per se, but use of violent measures and destruction of public property was never part of the plan. It did not take the nation much time to realize that the dark forces of the “deep state” were in action and all set to hijack the protests.

The actions of those elements were condemnable, as they served neither the cause of democracy nor civil liberties. They were representatives of a mentality that sought to maintain status quo in Turkey and a repetition of a bloody coups that will remain a blot in the history of the country.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify it to many foreign commentators and analysts that the Gezi protesters had nothing to do with the violence that ensued. They were exercising their political right. It is heartening to know that Turkey has a young politically dynamic population that could rise to the occasion and is very well aware of its national interests and the red lines that if crossed will prove to be detrimental to the country.

However, coup-mongers were quick in their attempts to hijack the protests. Although they failed in their bid, they still are on the move. They are still trying to gain traction in one way or the other; not even realizing that Turkey has evolved over time. Turks will no longer act on the whims and wishes of a few. They are no longer hostages to a tiny minority who in the past had succeeded in imposing its will on them.

Interestingly, Balbay’s thinly-veiled threat played the trick. At the end of the protests, the nation waited with bated breath for the “hot season.” Everybody, whether directly involved in the Gezi protests or not, was waiting for things to heat up. Came September. The youth who mobilized the Gezi protests were nowhere to be found in the streets. That was a major shift in the political dynamics.

The Gezi protests, undoubtedly, has awakened the Erdogan’s Justice and Progress Party (AKP) to reality. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s initial response to the new phenomenon “citizen politics” — that sparked the largest wave of protests in Turkey’s history — was as expected. But it did not take him long in assessing public sentiments.
The dispute that started the Gezi protests has ended up with three times more trees being planted at Taksim. The Gezi project was canceled. It has been decided in principle that any major change in the city would be referred to a public referendum. That is called change, the democratic way. It shows that Turkish society has come a long way and evolved into a large body of responsible individuals who are aware of their rights and responsibilities and the elected leadership is also part of the same society.
On the heels of the protests, came the announcement of the “democratization” package. Prime Minister Erdogan began his address to the nation by offering a piece of advice for the pro-coup factions. He said: “The democratization package will make our people smile and keep the pro-coup factions up at night.”

He knew the reforms would not make everyone happy but he was sure that the package was a step forward in the direction of a “New Turkey.”

The reforms include allowing election campaigns to be conducted in languages other than Turkish and decriminalizing the use of Kurdish letters not found in the Turkish alphabet. All primary school students in state schools will now also no longer have to recite a deeply nationalistic vow at the start of each week, which begins with the words: “I am a Turk.”

Erdogan has invested much political capital in the peace initiative, which has drawn strong public support.
One of the highlights of the reforms is the enhanced freedom for governmental employees and the lifting of the decades-old ban on wearing headscarves, saying women employees would be allowed to cover their heads at state institutions except in the military and security services, and for judges and prosecutors.
The reforms sought to salvage a peace process with the Kurdish citizens by granting them special rights.

The package pleased a large part of the country, as well the United States and the European Union. Some people said, “Not enough but yes.” Some thought this path to democratization was realistic even though they were not pleased with Erdogan. Had another Gezi incident started off in the wake of this development, the protesters would have lost their credibility. Wasn’t this the message they longed to send? “We are here as Turks, Kurds, Sunnis etc., as well as believers and unbelievers.”

These developments indicate emergence of a new Turkey, a pluralistic society. In the coming days, we will better understand the ramifications of this democratization package as it is more broadly implemented and the results become known. It is even possible assuming positive results, new packages may be announced and perhaps a new Constitution may be drafted. However, the fact remains the Gezi incidents were a milestone in the history of Turkey. The government was genuinely in need of this vocal criticism. Will the protests continue? Of course, should the need arise; the world will once again see a peace-loving nation united for a just cause. This is the beauty of democracy.

• The writer is a commentator on Turkish TV and a columnist.

October 14, 2013
This Turkish hotel won a “hospitality innovation award” for protecting protestors from tear gas and police

By Simone Foxman @simonefoxman October 8, 2013

Not a bad place to settle down after getting tear gassed. AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda

International hospitality awards usually go to hotels with the most creative design, impeccable service and attention to amenities like ultra-plush bathrobes. But the winner of the latest “hospitality innovation award” from PKF hotelexperts was selected on entirely different criteria.

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The German hotel consultants awarded the honor to Divan Hotels’ flagship property in Istanbul in recognition for its offering refuge to protesters fleeing police tear gas.

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The hotel is adjacent to Gezi Park’s Taksim Square, the site of protests last May and June. During some of the most tense moments, the Divan Hotel’s management took in people protesting against the government of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the chagrin of officials.

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Adding insult to injury, the hotel staff rebuffed police forces by asking whether they had a reservation at the hotel, according to Han Le, an American who observed the protests. Unsurprisingly, the police did not, and the staff—at least temporarily—prevented them from entering and arresting protesters camping out inside. The Financial Times reports (paywall) that the decision to take in protesters was initially made by the hotel’s management, but supported by the hotel’s parent company.

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The chain of 11 Divan Hotels is owned by Koç Holding, a conglomerate owned by the wealthy Koç family, which says it generates 9% of Turkey’s GDP. The hotel’s parent company’s holdings also include Turkey’s only refinery and some joint ventures with Ford and Fiat.

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The government has singled out Koç Holding, engaging in a “witch hunt” to pass off blame for the country’s struggling economy, according to an anonymous investment banker cited in Der Spiegel. In June, Erdoğan accused the hotel of “harbor[ing] criminals.” Then, in July, tax investigators raided 77 offices of Koç Holding’s energy subsidiaries. The company was later named in a lawsuit alleging that it was part of a 1997 coup. In late September, it lost a government contract to build six warships.

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While the Koç family may the government’s scapegoat du jour, the tensions between the company and the government are characteristic of the animosity between Turkey’s old capitalist elite and the Erdoğan administration. Erdoğan has also taken aim at the financial services industry, accusing the “interest rate lobby” of fanning unrest in order to speculate on the economy.

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Unsurprisingly, German businessmen don’t share Erdoğan’s feelings. “Divan Hotels and Koç Family has showed solidarity and courage during Gezi Park protests and proved how important hospitality is during crisis situations,” PKF chair Michael Widman told Hurriyet Daily News.

via This Turkish hotel won a “hospitality innovation award” for protecting protestors from tear gas and police – Quartz.

October 11, 2013
Erdoğan deputy: “Jews are to blame for riots”

Vice President Bashir Atali claims that foreign elements and the Jewish diaspora encouraged the protests in Turkey, protests that began in Istanbul and spread out across the country

“Foreign and Jewish forces abroad are the ones who encouraged the recent protests in Turkey” claimed Turkish Vice President Bashir Atali in an interview with “Hurriyet” newspaper during a visit to the Antalya region.

According to Jerusalem Post Atali said that foreign media are a big part of spreading the “conspiracy” and their involvement led to the riots. “Those who tried to block the way of Great Turkey did not succeed”’ he declared, adding that “there are societies that are jealous of Turkey’s growth and they are uniting now, amongst them is the Jewish diaspora”.

“You all witnessed the foreign media’s attitude during the Gazi park riot, they were encouraging it and they began coverage from the park immediately without first seriously researching the subject” he said.

Protests in the ceremonial square, June. Photography: AP

During riots that broke out on May 31^st after a group of protesters opposed the raising of a building in a public park area – that of Gazi Park which is adjacent to a ceremonial square in Istanbul. The protests in Istanbul led to protests across the country with 2 million people participating in 79 cities.

Turkish Police scattered the protests by use of tear gas and water cannons. Foreign media reported and continue to report the events, including events that the local media has ignored. So far one policeman and 3 protesters have died in the events, with 7000 injured according to Turkish media.

July 2, 2013