Topçu Barracks Back in Agenda Despite Council of State Ruling
Drafted by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, a strategic plan for 2015 - 2019 included the Topçu Barracks - an old Ottoman building located in Istanbul’s center that led to Gezi Resistance in 2013.
The project was named as “Taksim Square Urban Design and Taksim Barrack Restitution Project”.
However, upon Chamber of Architects’s complaint, the project allowing the barracks to be reconstructed was cancelled by Istanbul 1st Administration Court on June 6.
On April 29, 2014, Council of State 6th Chamber also ratified the ruling after Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s appeal.
What did Council of State say?
Council of State cited its ruling that the construction of Topçu Barracks instead Taksim Gezi Park would violate Taksim Square as an entity.
It was also noted that the bulking of the square would make the technical and social premises insufficient in the square - a plan that violated the principles of city planning, urbanization and public interest.
What did Erdoğan say?
On the other hand, then PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced during the Gezi Resistance that a plebiscite could be made in order to determine the future of project.
Following the ratification by Council of State, he said the following on June 11, 2014: “The residents of Beyoğlu district would not say ‘no’ to AKP if we take it to a plebiscite. They would say ‘yes’. AKP’s victory in local elections is its evidence.”
Plan needs revision
In order to bring the plan to the agenda, the municipality needs to revise the plans based on 1/5000 scale and re-plan the Topçu Barracks. However, it remains unknown how the municipality will do that. (NV/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.