'Ankara’s symbol is being destroyed' by Ministry's subway construction

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Professional chambers affiliated with the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) made a statement about a collapse that occured in Güvenpark, a symbol of the capital city and a Grade 1 Natural Site Area, due to an ongoing subway construction nearby.

Raising concerns over the partial collapse of a road in Güvenpark, the chambers said, "Park, which is a protected area, monumental trees, the monument and, most importantly, human life are at risk. A symbol of the capital and modern Republic, Güvenpark is being destroyed."

In order to raise awareness and publicity about the risk posed by the construction works for the Atatürk Cultural Center - Train Station - Kızılay subway line, which caused the collapse, the Chamber of Architects' Ankara Branch, the Chamber of Landscape Architects and the Chamber of City Planners' Ankara Branch held a press statement at the scene of the incident.

'Project must be stopped immediately'

Addressing the public in Güvenpark in Ankara yesterday (September 8), Ceren İlter, the Chair of the Ankara Branch of Urban Planners Chamber, said that a 15-meter wide collapse occurred in the park a day before:

"A collapse occurred during an excavation for stairs that is not shown in the project. With each step taken in Güvenpark, the risk is growing. The subway project, which is going on behind closed doors, must be shared with the public and public institutions must take necessary measures.

"No public institution can realize such an insensitive project in a Grade 1 Natural Site Area which is so frequently used by people. This project that disregards the memory of the city, our cultural assets and life must be stopped immediately and all processes must be shared with the public and professional chambers. Güvenpark and Güven monument are at risk."

Ceren İlter also announced that they will file a criminal complaint against the responsible parties within this context.

'A blow to collective, spatial memory'

Stressing that a blow is dealt to collective and spatial memory as well, İlter argued that Güvenpark has been turned into a place where losses of life may be caused by a collapse anytime and anywhere.

She also raised concerns that "it is still uncertain how much damage has been done and will be done to the Güven Monument and trees as part of the subway construction." She criticized that "in the places where the subway construction is underway, no measures have been taken to prevent losses of life and it is not foreseen that the monument and trees will be damaged."

Referring to the former Metropolitan Mayorship of ruling AKP's Melih Gökçek, Ceren İlter briefly continued as follows:

"Having started with a car park to be constructed under the Güvenpark and continued with Melih Gökçek's dream for building a huge ferris wheel there and taking the minibus stops underground, this destruction has reached its utmost point with the construction of a subway by the Ministry. The collapse that has occurred in Güvenpark is proof of this destruction.

"Our warnings as professional chambers were not taken into consideration, it was indicated in the expert reports and court rulings that having the transportation lines pass through Güvenpark would damage the park; however, the Ministry went on its own way and kept undermining the Güvenpark without taking any precautions. The subway project which has been going on behind closed doors must be shared with the public and public institutions must take the necessary precautions.

"In the images of the subway project, it is seen that there will be no excavation except for the construction works going on in two areas in Güvenpark." (KÖ/SD)