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ICI Assembly Where Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment Participated in Discussed the Industrial Settlement Problem and Environmental Plan

26.06.2019
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Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICI) June ordinary Assembly was carried out on 26 June 2019 in Odakule Fazıl Zobu Assembly Hall with the main agenda of “An Overview for Istanbul’s Industrial Identity, Industrial Settlement Problem and Environmental Plan”. Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment and Urbanization participated in the Assembly meeting directed by Serdar Urfalılar, ICI Assembly Deputy Chairperson.

Mr. Kurum said that: “Istanbul has an industrial tradition and vision. It is of great importance to expand the access of some sectors from the central areas of Istanbul into newer and more modern areas through this vision.” and he gave good news. Stating that ICI Management has been trying to create qualified industrial sites, of which one in European Side and another in Anatolian Side and they will finalize it within a short time of period, Kurum said that: “There has been a demand for Organized Industrial Sites”. We have researched 2-3 places in European Side. We can develop projects. We can transmit such demands before our Ministry with both TOKİ and General Directorate of Provincial Bank. We have to protect the assets of our government in Anatolian Side in a most proper way as well and we support our sectors in the projects to increase the employment rate. We can develop a common project with our industrialists in the areas to which our industrialists make new investments. We can work together for this. It can be done with both 49-year-rental model and TOKİ and general directorate of national estate.”

Drawing attention that Istanbul and its surrounding area constitute the 50 percent of the industrial labor force, Erdal Bahçıvan, Istanbul Chamber of Industry Board of Directors Chairperson stated that: “An Istanbul vision based on the fact that Istabul’s industry is irreplaceable for this country should be developed. There should not be any preference between the industry and manufacture of Istanbul and the environment. We are in need of a plan to be drawn through the support of all institutions and handled with urban transformation.” and he added that: “The ratio of industrial areas to urban surface area is 1,5 in Berlin, 3 in London and 1,5 in Istanbul. Instead of criticizing the position of Istanbul, we should strengthen it.

ICI June ordinary Assembly meeting was opened by Serdar Urfalılar, ICI Assembly Deputy Chairperson. Urfalılar briefly mentioned that:

“Assembly main agenda of this month is: Istanbul’s industrial identity, industry’s settlement problem and environmental plan. I would especially underline the fact that: Istanbul has the position of the most developed leader province of our country in terms of industrial infrastructure and scientific structure. To mention briefly, Istanbul is a probince which has a strong industry and manufacturing activity and it is of obligation that it should maintain this position for both itself and the country’s economy.

İSO Meclis Başkan Yardımcısı Serdar Urfalılar

As the industrialists, we attach great importance to the establishment of two OIS promptly, one in European and another in Asian Sides to provide the opportunity for the industrial transformation in Istanbul. Appropriate lands should be assigned for private sector in compliance with the project requirements through the Property Industry rental and an opportunity for industrial land and factory building in the long run should be provided. If the opinions and suggestions of Istanbul Chamber of Industry have been realized within the shortest time, what will make profit out of this situation will be our industry and economy. Unfortunately, earthquake is still the primary risk in Istanbul for both our community and industry. Urban transformation is of a great step to decrease this risk in this field. On the other hand, more importance should be attached to the raising of the awareness of Istanbul people in obligatory earthquake insurance.”

Then, Serdar Urfalılar invited Erdal Bahçıvan, ICI Board of Directors Chairperson to the rostrum to make his speech about the main agenda item. Bahçıvan expressed that while a dynamic urbanization understanding is gaining value in today’s world, smart cities concept is coming to the forefront in the whole world. Stating that smart city management aims to use the opportunities and resources of the city life in the most efficient way, Bahçıvan expressed that it also includes the simultaneous data collection and assessments in various fields such as infrastructure, transportation, economical activities.

“Our industrialists spend the major part of their capital in investment of high-cost lands and real estates in the developed areas especially and therefore, they waste the financing source which they actually should be using for the following years.” Bahçıvan, ICI Chairperson explained the solution which they have been stating for years, as ICI that:

“If Istanbul’s industry is taken into consideration thoroughly, we can say that there is an industry which has not still settled, in other words, which has been forced to be a nod industry. The industry has been obligated to be restricted in the city center in time and has to change location towards the external periphery because of the residential settlement around itself, therefore it has not been able to embrace a settled plan unfortunately. This settlement problem causes a serious resource problem unfortunately and it constitutes an obstacle in the transmission of the sector to the next generations and causes harm on the industrial ecosystem. The most effective solution in having settlement for industry is the organized industrial sites. As Istanbul Chamber of Industry, we have a demand for the establishment of two new OIS in Istanbul, one of which will be located in European side and another will be located in Asian side. While creating a new investment area for our industrialists, discussing on the ways to assign such areas is another subject to be taken into consideration with attention. With the “Property Industry” model which has been on the agenda of our Chamber for a long time, appropriate public lands and the factory buildings to be established on such public lands will be assigned for the private sector in compliance with the sector types with a long-term-rental method and therefore, this is will be permanent solution to this issue. The most significant benefit of this model is that the land can be guaranteed to provide service to factories and production for 49 years or more. The land is no longer considered as an appeal area where the title owner can realize projects with different than industrial purposes because of the increase in the value of unearned income and therefore the capital of our industrialists will not depend on the land and the building.

Pointing out that the attempts which the institutions exhibit currently is of great importance for brining a vision towards the future to develop the smart city aspect of Istanbul, Bahçıvan expressed that if the industry takes place in the enterprises within the scope of the smart cities, it will bear great opportunities for the future undoubtedly.

Drawing attention that as Istanbul Chamber of Industry, they have an integrated perspective towards the restructure of the industry in Istanbul, Bahçıvan stated that they believe in the necessity to live together with the values which constitute the identity of Istanbul such as the industry, natural and historical assets. From this point of view, Bahçıvan emphasized there has never been and never should be an obligation to make preference between the industry and manufacture and the environment.

Stating that in addition to the historical architecture of the city, meeting the location needs required by the era, effective transportation system, green areas and squares are the prerequisites of a city, Bahçıvan told that the historical spirit of the city should be protected but on the other hand the needs of the modern period should be met. Bahçıvan said that: “That’s why the planning and urban transformation should be discussed together. Urban transformation should be carried out as independent on the planning. I would like to express clearly that we need a planning instead of fragmentary which is integrative and covers all stakeholders and is drawn by the contributions of all institutions instead of a single institution. Of course, our priority is to protect the ecology of Istanbul. There is no need to find a conflict, a defeated or a winner between the ecology and the economy. Industrialization where the environment is protected with a proper planning and which contributes to the sustainable development at the same time can be ensured easily.”

Informing that when taken into consideration the world examples, the ratio of the industrial areas to the urban surface areas is 1,5 in Berlin and 3 in London, Bahçıvan said that this ratio is approximately 1,5 in Istanbul and instead of criticizing the position of Istanbul in this sense, it should be strengthened. Bahçıvan drew attention that Environment Plan neglects the fact that Istanbul and Istanbul’s industry is the driving force behind the Turkish economy. Stating that the attempts of central management in planning of Istanbul is of significance exactly, Bahçıvan drew attention that if each ministry carries out planning in compliance with their engagement fields, such plans might not match up with each other.

Underlying that an Istanbul vision which depends on the fact that Istanbul’s industry is a prerequisite for this country should be developed, Bahçıvan expressed that Environmental Plans which are being revised currently is a vital opportunity for them. Bahçıvan stated that a waste management philosophy which includes the prevention of wastage, decrease in the waste and waste recycling should be generalized in public, local administrations, industry and all buildings and locations in a period when world resource usage is of more importance than ever.

Bahçıvan continued:

“Green economy and green works cause a change in the industrial structure of today’s world. I would like to underline that business world is a part of the solution in terms of sustainability. Industrial facilities which carry out enterprises in this sense and organize R&D projects should be supported through special incentives. When the applications of the countries which have achieved success in waste management today, it is seen that the success has been achieved by giving responsibility to the citizens in the rate of waste. Unless we realize the motivations to decrease the waste and develop demand-based strategies, it is a fact that regardless of the number of recycling facilities, they will not be enough against the increasing population and consumption tendency. Participation share to be received in return of the amount specified per product manufactured will bring the incremental costs for such sectors. We don’t think that the sectors which have already liable for covering the waste disposals will make a second payment and various sectors will cover the environmental protection costs will be fair.”

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment and Urbanization took the rostrum to make a speech.

Stating that they have discussed the problems, demands, expectations of our country and cities, and they have developed solution methods together, Kurum said that Istanbul Chamber of Industry is the leader of those institutions. Mentioning that Istanbul Chamber of Industry is an institution constituting of numerous sectors varying from garment to machinery, from chemical products to plastics industry, Kurum told that precious business people who have gathered under the roof of Istanbul Chamber of Industry are the insurance of the future with the investment, export, employment dynamics.

Kurum said that “As long as you manufacture, increase the employment and export and are open to the innovations, nobody can stand before this country and nation with the help of the God. If Turkish product has turned into the symbol of quality throughout the world, you are the ones who have made this success accessible. If the prestige of our country has reached to a spot about which we feel sincerely proud of, it is possible with the attempts and contributions of yours who have stepped into each corner of the world. Therefore, I would like to extend my gratitude for our all industrialists who have taken a role in the development and growth of our country from past to present.”

Reminding that they have manufactured various industrial sites with the cooperation between public and private sector in Istanbul in time, Kurum expressed that they have gained an area for 2,410 hectares totally from İkitelli Organized Industrial Site to İSTOÇ, from Tuzla to Dudullu and from Gaziosmanpaşa to Beylikdüzü for our industry and our industrialists. On the other hand Kurum stated that there have been various industrial sites around the surroundind of Istanbul, in Gebze, Dilovası, Çorlu, Çerkezköy. Informing that researches to publicize an area for approximately 10 million sqm in Tekirdağ have already launched to use as Organized Industrial Site, Kurum recorded that researches to publicize an area for approximately 1 million sqm in Arnavutköy, Ömerli for logistic purposes has going on.

Emphasizing that Istanbul is the locomotive and flagship of Istanbul, Kurum stated that Istanbul realizes approximately 35 percent of the industrial manufacture today and reminded that it has a share for 17 percent within Turkish industry sector employment. Kurum underlined that any support to be provided for Istanbul’s industry will increase incrementally for Türkiye, itself as based on these figures.

Sharing the Environment Plan which is a particular concern for the future of Istanbul’s industry and was realized in 2009, and the principles and their attempts on the industrial sites included in this plan, Kurum stated that: “In the environment plans approved throughout the country, the researches to direct the locational plans including the selection of industrial sites are carried out by our Ministry. When Istanbul Environment Plan is examined, our main strategy is to turn the structuring of the industry sector into a healthier condition and to ensure the structural transformation. Of course we should add this fact that the strength cities are possible with the strong industries. In other words, if we want to witness a strong Istanbul, we cannot confine ourselves only to planning. In addition to the planning, industrial policies should support such plans and targets. We should have an integrated perspective in this sense.

Kurum continued:

“Istanbul has an industrial tradition and vision. It is of great importance to expand some industry sectors outside of the central locations in Istanbul and move them into newer and more modern areas in line with this vision.

For example, we signed the protocol of “New Engine Minor Industrial Site” between the metropolitan municipality and our ministry in Konya. We grow the industry of Konya with the project which is approximately has the value of 1 billion TRY. We move the old industry site which is at the center of Konya to the outside of Konya. Therefore, we both increase the employment and give an opportunity for our city to embrace a new living space in terms of urban transformation. Besides, plannings of an area for 1.5 million sqm in Arnavutköy, Hadımköy of which transfer has already been completed are going on. We hope to start sale activities in August and construction operations in October. We will have taken a big step in moving the industrial areas which have been restricted inside the city to the outside of Istanbul. We will serve as a model for other provinces by realizing an ideal project with the technological aspects and modern structuring.

Stating that they have an intention for Istanbul to have superiority in competitive capacity in global scale, Kurum said that this is only possible with a comprehensive transformation. Kurum told that there is no need to doubt, they will direct the structural transformation of industry properly. Within this scope, they took a significantly critical initiative on 30 October 2018 with Ministry of Industry and Technology and signed “Cooperation Protocol on Determination and Development of Industrial Investment Fields”. Kurum added that they realized this protocol to ensure the sustainable usage of the resources and the planning of industrial investments in accordance with the right locational strategies.

Kurum continued:

“We both move in line with our national industrial strategies and determine the treasure lands to which our industrial investments will be directed by taking the rights steps. We determine the investment types which we will realize for such fields in accordance to a particular strategy, as well. We carry out the transformation applications in reserve infrastructural areas to be specified on the moving of industrial sites outside of the city. We realize our researches to specify the new industrial sites without giving any delay. We have launched researches in 26 provinces up to now and we are determined to carry out and finalize such researches in our all provinces. We will transform the Industrial Identity and Future of Istanbul in the most radical, effective and active way. I strongly believe Istanbul Chamber of Industry will provide their support for us in this sense. I would like to thank you all for your supports.

ICI Assembly Members who took the rostrum after Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment and Urbanization shared their opinions regarding the agenda.