CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP

10 JANUARY 2020

Editorial BİMTAŞ, Cooperation and Communication Department

Executive Coordinators IMM Department of Development and Urbanization, Urban Planning Directorate Istanbul Planning Agency BİMTAŞ

Editors Aykut Kılıç

Translated from Turkish by Fatih Ceran K. Murat Güney

Design Concept and Publication Identity Tuğçe Tunç

Publication House Kültür Sanat Basımevi Certificate Number: 44153

Publication Place and Date Istanbul, June 2020

ISBN 978-605-7864-86-4

It is a publication of Kültür Incorporated, a subsidy of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. CONTENT

⸻ INTRODUCTION / 8 ⸻ PARTICIPANTS / 14 ⸻ PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY / 16 ⸻ OPENING SPEECHES / 19 ⸻ SESSIONS / 35 ⸻ CLOSING SPEECHES / 109 ⸻ INTERVIEWS / 113 ⸻ FORUM SPEECHES / 125 ⸻ POSTER EXHIBITION / 139

www.kanal.istanbul INTRODUCTION

While this report was being prepared for publication, The Global Risk Report 2020 that was published before the World Economic Forum at Davos (WEF) declared the climate change as the greatest risk that the World has ever faced. The following sentence uttered during the public release of the report in London is scary: “The World is sleepwalking into a disaster.” For the first time in the last 10 years of Global Risk Reports, environmental concerns constitute the top five long term risks. In the decade to come, the risks with the highest likelihood are listed in the Report as follows: extreme weather events, failure in the fight against climate change and adaptation, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity and damage Turkey is discussing Canal Istanbul on ecosystem, and human Project, which, if undertaken, will related environmental harm cause irreversible environmental and disasters.

damage and deepen the effects The developments of 2019 of climate crisis with the urban on climate crisis indicate that heat island that it will create. the risks will spread across the whole world in less than a More precisely, the country is being decade. Confirmation of July forced to discuss the Project out 2019 as the hottest month of a blind persistence despite all ever recorded, the heat wave that paralyzed Europe across the facts laid out by science. the last summer, continuous rain and ensuing floods in African countries, perpetual storms in the United States, spreading of Japanese typhoons to the large part of Southeast Asia, and 4-month- long mega fires in Australia all point out the fact that the world has been very late to move against climate crisis.

Despite the fact that the overall situation is becoming ever more threatening, Turkey is discussing Canal Istanbul Project, which, if undertaken, will cause irreversible environmental damage and deepen the effects of climate crisis with the urban heat island that it will create. More precisely, the country is being forced to discuss the Project out of a blind persistence despite all the facts laid out by science.

This workshop report examines the destructive effect that Canal Istanbul Project will have in terms of environment, climate, social structure, cultural assets and international relations. The enthusiasm of undertaking the Project as soon as possible does not only stem from the concern of keeping the mega projects alive. Those who needed to sustain the construction-driven growth model that flourished with the cheap credit opportunities, which were made

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 8 INTRODUCTION 9 availabe following the 2008 economic crisis, could not see another the ambiguity, silence and obscuration of the Environmental Impact option but to insist on the construction of the mega projects no Assessment Report that was approved in haste. On the contrary, the matter whether these projects were in contradiction or not with scientists coming from different schools addressed one single truth public interest, common good and environmental conservation. in the workshop: Once undertaken, the Canal Istanbul Project will Surely, that is a political choice.. bear irreversible environmental destruction in the regions around the Marmara Sea and specifically in Istanbul and the generations to come Rather than spending the public money on alleviation of income will pay dearly for that. It will be the citizens who will suffer from its inequality, enabling the citizens to work under humane conditions, effects, like in any other environmental disaster. decreasing the market pressure on basic services like education and healthcare, making the urban services cheaper and higher As the disheartening results of this workshop indicate, there will quality, protecting the environment and creating a more liveable be hundreds of problems on our agenda because of the Project. In city, wasting it on a project like Canal Istanbul would only benefit a this brief introduction I would like to underline three urgent issues handful people, not general public. They want to justify the Project that necessitate outright cancellation of the Project: The first one with the illegal changes made by is on its financing. While the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality As the real wages melt down Environmental Impact Assessment Rather than spending the public on the Environmental Plan in Report identifies the cost of the money on alleviation of income 2009 and Environmental Impact against inflation, the household Project as 75 Billion Turkish Lira inequality, enabling the citizens Assessment Report (ÇED) that debts increase tenfold in the (TL), the Ministry of Transport and is loaded with ambiguities and last 20 years and unemployment Infrastructure discloses it to be to work under humane conditions, dubious scientific quality. 114 Billion TL, and this indicates decreasing the market pressure boosts in Turkey, the cost of that a serious analysis on the on basic services like education Canal Istanbul Workshop was Canal Istanbul Project may trigger financial cost of the Project has organized to examine the data an unprecedented economic not been made. There are also and healthcare, making the urban and discuss the results on these discrepancies between the data services cheaper and more quality, two documents which do not crisis in Republican history. of two different ministries of the protecting the environment and address scientific concerns government. Furthermore, the cost that span from cost analysis assessment of an economy management that cannot restrain the creating a more liveable city, and financing to its effects on inflation and exchange rates is far from being reliable. One last point, wasting it on a project like Canal environment, climate and social the most vital issue that is being followed by the public opinion is how Istanbul would only benefit a life. The participating experts the overall cost of the Project will be paid. The cost excess rates in and scientists of the workshop mega projects that have been undertaken are very clear. Even more handful people, not general public. discussed the possible effects of importantly from the point of financing is the new trend of abrupt the Project in detail on financing, and unforeseeable changes in the global finance system. In brief, urban planning, transportation, environment, water resources, social the conditions of construction-driven growth model that became structure, national security, earthquakes, cultural heritage and possible with the credits fleeing from developed countries after 2008 agriculture. This booklet offers the summaries of 16 presentations crisis ceased to exist. Moreover, the expectation of “700 billion dollar made in 4 different sessions. Because there are overlapping themes, meltdown” as expressed by the IMF President, Kristalina Georgieva, you may see that some scientists touch upon similar issues. For indicates that the possibility of growth in seasonal credits is quite example, when the participants of the earthquake session, which was dim. Launching a gigantic construction project that will take decades followed with curiosity and concern, were discussing the possible under such an environment of uncertainties will render the ongoing mutual effects of Canal Project and an earthquake in Marmara Sea, economic problems of Turkey much worse. If the credit cannot be they inevitably drew the attention on the possible destructive effects secured from the finance and investment markets, citizens of Turkey of the Project on environment and climate. In this regard, you may will be loaded with an unbearable burden of tax. The citizens, who are see different takes on numerical figures of the same issues in this already fighting with tax increases and facing a possibility of further text. Different takes do not mean inconsistency and they stem from indirect tax increase because of the debts of private sector in foreign currency, will face an enormous domestic debt. As the real wages

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 10 INTRODUCTION 11 melt down against inflation, the household debts increase tenfold in the last 20 years and unemployment boosts in Turkey, the cost of Canal Istanbul Project may trigger an unprecedented economic crisis in Republican history.

The second vital and urgent matter about the Project pertains to the rapid deterioration that it will bring on the water reservoirs of Istanbul and Thrace. The Project will wipe out the Sazlıdere Dam altogether that has the capacity to provide water for 1.35 million citizens in Istanbul. In the same vein, south-eastern drainage basin of Lake Terkos will disappear and the lake will face the risk of salinization. In case the Lake loses its utility to Istanbul, the water provision of the city will sustain a fatal blow. These two sources provide water for 6 million people in Istanbul. Furthermore, the new housing Turkish Republic should use all projects in the framework of the its efforts to prepare Istanbul for Project will necessitate an additional such an earthquake. Even with demand for water and therefore, the allocation of Lake Büyükçekmece to the controversial cost figures the Project. It will not be possible to of the Canal Project, more provide for such a demand in a city than 1.5 million houses can be that is already trying to supply water renewed for the earthquake. from Melen River. In case the Project is undertaken, the water system of the city will face the risk of an immediate breakdown. The last but most important issue is about the precautions for the Istanbul-centred Marmara Earthquake as the scientific studies disclose with proof that it is approaching. Breaking of the fault line under the Marmara Sea will trigger an earthquake which will be at least 7.2 in Richter scale and threaten the lives and properties of hundreds of thousands of people. Turkish Republic should use all its efforts to prepare Istanbul for such an earthquake. Even with the controversial cost figures of the Canal Project, more than 1.5 million houses can be renewed for the earthquake.

Alongside these urgent matters, Canal Istanbul Project would accelerate the climate crisis in Turkey and around the world. It will disperse the environment pollution in Black Sea through the canal and with the urban heat island that it will create it will increase the average temperature not only in Istanbul but also around Turkey.

On the face of all these facts, it is clear that insisting on Canal Istanbul Project constitutes the biggest treason to Istanbul and Turkey. This is why; once again, we call those who came up with this project to common sense and drop it off the agenda never to be mentioned again. ▶ Greenpeace Photography: Caner Özkan

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 12 INTRODUCTION 13 PARTICIPANTS

Including a variety of civil society organizations, professional chambers, representatives of public and private institutions and political parties, academics, students, press and staff members, 2.658 people participated the workshop. The breakdown of the participants is as follows.

253 745 120 80 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION PUBLIC INSTITUTION PRIVATE SECTOR PROFESSIONAL CHAMBER STUDENT + ACADEMIC

95 18 982 148 POLITICAL PARTY CONSULATE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT NGO FOUNDATION + ASSOCIATION + LABOUR UNION

48 123 46 SPEAKER PRESS MEMBER STAFF

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 14 PARTICIPANTS 15 PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY

With its unique geographic position, long history, rich natural resources, and global economic and cultural potential, Istanbul is a prominent city not only for Turkey but also for the world. Being at the crossroads of the East and West, Istanbul is a unique city blended by the cultural heritages of different civilisations. Alongside its strategic location, Istanbul has strong cultural connections and this is why socio-economic developments about the city have far reaching influence at international, regional and local levels in natural, economic, social and spatial dimensions. The values of such a city with a privileged geography historical and cultural heritage and unique natural beauty, have been under negative influence because of its exposition to This workshop aims at opening pressure of development, unplanned expansion, enormous the grounds to discuss the investment that are made without Project in every aspect from cost participatory methods, and the analysis to financing, from spatial effects of unexamined socio- planning in the context of urban economic and environmental policies. effects of the project will be discussed by the participation of planning, transportation and scientists and representatives of relevant institutions in a manner cultural heritage, from the effects Canal Istanbul Project is yet open to the public. In this regard, an intensive scientific preparation that it will create on environment another enormous investment has been made and the reports of the relevant institutions have that would influence Istanbul been studied in detail. A website has been made for thousands and climate, from its impact on significantly in every dimension. of Istanbulites to express their opinions on the issue. In a social life to its legal framework Undertaking a project that will simultaneous manner, an active participation was made into the and security dimension, load a huge burden onto public preparation process of Environmental Impact Assessment Report budget, deepen the effects of by Environment and Urban from its risk assessment climate crisis, create an extensive Ministry and the perspective A participatory method has been for earthquake and natural ecological damage and destroy and objections of Istanbul disasters to the participation the agricultural and water followed from the beginning Metropolitan Municipality were resources of the city cannot be of the workshop and a rather conveyed. Intensive efforts have of citizens to the Project. accepted. been spent to disseminate these promising effort has been made perspective and objections in This workshop is organized by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for to ensure the participation of public opinion and for the first the purposes of creating a platform of comprehensive discussion for Istanbulites to discussions time in Republican Turkish history, the experts, evaluating its possible effects and creating a venue for thousands of citizens submitted Istanbulites to express their opinions. In this regard, this workshop and objection processes. their objections to the ministry aims at opening the grounds to discuss the Project in every aspect themselves. A participatory from cost analysis to financing, from spatial planning in the context method has been followed from the beginning of the workshop and of urban planning, transportation and cultural heritage, from the a rather promising effort has been made to ensure the participation effects that it will create on environment and climate, from its of Istanbulites to discussions and objection processes. ■ impact on social life to its legal framework and security dimension, from its risk assessment for earthquake and natural disasters to the participation of citizens to the Project. Moreover, the potential

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 16 PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY 17 OPENING SPEECHES

Gürkan Akgün Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of Development and Urbanization Department

Ekrem İmamoğlu Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Mayor

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 18 OPENING SPEECHES 19 Gürkan Akgün Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of Development and Urbanization Department

Distinguished chairpersons, Parliament on the transformation of the areas under members, metropolitan municipal mayor, disaster risk was made and the boundaries district municipal mayors, managers of reserve construction area surrounding of metropolitan municipality and other the Canal Istanbul Project were identified. institutions, valuable scientists who will The boundaries then, went through certain contribute to our workshop and thousands revisions and took their current status. of people who are with us here in this hall In 2014, a new concept was added to the and others who follow us live, I salute you Zoning Law, “the waterways”. What do the all with love and respect. Today, we will waterways stand for? They are artificial discuss the future of the city of Istanbul waterways constructed by the decisions which goes back thousands of years and under the Zoning Law, through which, talk about its fate in the most proper naval platforms can do transportation. Yes, way, that is to say, under the guidance it stands for Canal Istanbul. With this the of science and reason. We gathered Canal entered into the Zoning Law. After 2 together to discuss Canal Istanbul in all years, on May 30, 2016, a critical decision its dimensions and evaluate its potential was made. Ministry of Food Agriculture and effects with expert academics, researchers Livestock approved the non-agricultural and representatives of relevant institutions usage of agricultural fields in this reserve and NGOs. Our schedule today is loaded, so construction area. After 2 years, an without further say, I would like to provide amendment was made on Pasture Fields basic information to create a platform for Law and the collective public ownership of discussions and refresh our memories on the pasture fields in this area was lifted and how we got to this point in Canal Istanbul TOKİ registered them on it behalf. Project and what the scope of the project is. Without resorting to commentary, I will Throughout the whole process, try to give you the facts and inform you on what has happened so far. we want everyone from scientists to ordinary citizens Canal İstanbul April 27, 2011 is the date Canal Istanbul to contribute and speak their Project was shared with public for the mind. We will develop other “Past - Present” first time. It is an important date, because just 2 years after the 1/100.000 scale venues to this end, as well. Environmental Plan that was prepared by hundreds of academics, endorsed by After the changes on the nature of Istanbul Metropolitan City Council and ownership for pasture fields, the regarded as the Constitution of Istanbul, Environmental Impact Assessment Report Canal Istanbul Project was publicized. (ÇED) processes continued throughout 2017 and 2018. It slowed down for a while and I will expand on that later. After the launch then gained momentum with protocols of the Canal Istanbul Project, the Ministry being signed between different institutions of Environment and Urban Planning was and development plans being made. It was established and then, in 2012, law no.6306 then submitted to Ministry of Environment

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 20 OPENING SPEECHES 21 and Urban Planning for approval, yet soon 6 districts, 19 neighborhoods and 316 protected areas. Discovery of Bathonea distrcit of Istanbul, like Bağcılar, has been it was withdrawn. A long process took place thousand people as resident population. Ancient City and Yarımburgaz Caves in the zoned for construction. There is only one then. At this point let me share a piece We are talking about 350 kilometer square lagoon basin of Küçükçekmece, which dates sentence for such an important decision in of information that many universities, area, which constitutes 6.5% of surface area back 6500 years were regarded as prominent the Report about the foreseen population scientists, other institutions and even the of Istanbul. Only 4% of this construction archaeological discoveries in 2009. Internal of such a vast area: “The population growth district municipalities do not know. 1/5000 reserve area is residential area as of now. and external beaches of Küçükçekmece, that will take place with the Project is scale zoning plans were prepared and 50% of the remaining area is being actively Soğuksu grade 1 natural site area, Rhegion envisaged to be 500 thousand.” There is sent to the Ministry of Environment and used in agriculture, while 20% includes grade 1 and 2 archaeological site areas, they no such thing as calculation or any sort of Urban Planning. On December 23, 2019, meadows, heath land, forestry, lake areas all face extinction now. There is one more analysis, it is just “envisaged” to be that way. ÇED report of Canal Istanbul Project was and water basins. Planned landfills are very issue that I want to share with you on that shared with public and as we got to know critical since they involve beaches and sand matter. There was a meeting to evaluate Container ports are planned on the North later, on the very same day, 1/100.000 scale areas on Black Sea coast. Why am I talking the ÇED report and we participated in. and South sides of the Canal. Yet, no Environmental Plan was also approved. about them? Because at a time when the The Report mentions particular areas of analysis or study has been done on how As you all know, in the past months whole world was caught unprepared for historical and cultural heritage that must to get the loads to these ports. Istanbul thousands of people made long lines at the perils of climate crisis and treasures be protected. Yet, when we asked them how Metropolitan Municipality has analyses the gate of Ministry of Environment and the clean water resources and look for they will protect these heritage sites, the conducted in the past years on this issue. Urban Planning to submit their objections alternative ways of providing healthy and presenters answered that they will move the They had also conducted sector meetings about the ÇED report. As of today, we know cheap food for everyone, we are discussing heritage sites as they moved the Hasankeyf which disclosed that this area is wrong in that the environmental plans have been a project that will cross over our agriculture archeological site before the construction logistical terms. The meeting elaborated published on December 30, 2019. In other areas, meadows and forestry by earth- of a dam in the same place. The presenters that any port in this part of Black Sea could words, 1/100.000 scales environmental moving trucks and give them irreversible assumed that case was a good example. not work properly, yet the Report does plans of European Side Construction damage. I am talking about an excavation A similar answer was given about the not mention that either. I will leave these Reserve Area pertaining to Canal Istanbul of 1.3 billion cubic meters, that is to say, agricultural fields. The agricultural debates to the session on planning. and its surrounding have been published 50 years worth of Istanbul’s excavation fields that will disappear can be carried as open to the objections of citizens for 30 will be dumped on Black Sea coast. They elsewhere, they said. They had already been Another important session for today is on days. are talking about a coastal band of 38 mentioned in the Report by the way. planning and urbanization. I would like kilometers. Let me put it that way: All to make a brief comparison between the At a time when the world was the coastline from here to Tuzla (the last There is only one sentence for approved environmental plan of 2009 and district of Istanbul on the Anatolian side) the current one that went through changes. caught unprepared for the will be filled with the earth excavated from such an important decision in The 2009 plan is on the left side of the perils of climate crisis and the Project area. With such amount of the Report about the foreseen screen and the current one is on the right treasures the clean water earth, you can cover the municipalities of population of such a vast side. The one on the left is still approved Güngören, Esenler and Bağcılar with soil and valid for the whole city of Istanbul. resources and look for of 30 meters high. Alongside these issues, area: “The population growth The only change in the plan was made on alternative ways of providing the Canal Istanbul Project will remove that will take place with the the area of the Canal. In this region, you healthy and cheap food for Sazlıdere Dam altogether and salinize Lake Project is envisaged to be will see 1.200.000 additional population, Terkos. Furthermore, the underground 200 thousand trees to be cut, 150 million everyone, we are discussing water that feed Lake Terkos will flow into 500 thousand.” There is no meter square meadow and agricultural area a project that will cross the Canal and then will face the risk of such thing as calculation or to be lost, the protected sites to disappear, over our agriculture areas, becoming extinct. I am talking about the any sort of analysis, it is just 33 million cubic meter clean water to be meadows and forestry by disappearance of one out of every three “envisaged” to be that way. lost and 3.4 million new travels that will glasses of water that we drink in Istanbul. affect the life in Istanbul. Furthermore, earth-moving trucks and give This area is also the habitat for many the burden of transportation, air pollution, them irreversible damage. aquatic animals and bird species. We also need to focus on the approved and simultaneous increase of temperature and publicized 1/100.000 scale environmental traffic stress; all will have their effects on So, what does the Construction Reserve Today both in the morning and afternoon plan tha surrounds the Canal. What does climate crisis. Comparison of these two Area stand for? What does the Canal sessions, the environmental dimensions this plan tell us? The yellow regions that plans indicates all that very clearly. Let me Istanbul affect and how? Let me expand of the issue will be discussed. Since it is a you see on the screen were zoned for read the keystone decisions of both plans. on that a little. As we know, Canal Istanbul matter of extreme importance we will have construction. The areas with natural These are unchanging vital decisions. I will Project is basically a waterway that is 400 it in both sessions. As for nowi I would like resources that I just mentioned have been start with some key expressions: meters in width and spans 45 kilometers to suffice with the titles. I want to talk about zoned with this plan. It may look small from North to South. Yet Construction cultural heritage. The corridor of Canal on the screen but we are talking about 84 ▶ Decisions of vertical settlement that Reserve Area covers a broader area that Istanbul Project and its area of influence kilometer square area. With this plan, an will make Istanbul expand Northbound surrounds the Canal. It directly involves include natural and archaeological area that is 3.5 times larger than an average and destroy the natural and historical

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 22 OPENING SPEECHES 23 structure of the city, cause problems in in 2012 when the zoning authority was afternoon for which, we will have another transportation and settlement must be transferred to the ministry, people have desk outside. After the registrations at the avoided. been waiting for plans in Altınşehir, desks we will get your opinions as much Güvercintepe, Şahintepe, Tahtakale. These as we possibly can. Of course this process ▶ Meadows and agricultural fields must are the neighbourhoods with low income will not be exhausted by this workshop. be prevented from being sed for other and poor infrastructure. People there, have Throughout the whole process, we want purposes. other problems, priorities and needs. In everyone from scientists to ordinary these neighbourhoods, classes have 60-65 citizens to contribute and speak their mind. ▶ The fields that are used must respond students and children still attend to mobile We will develop other venues to this end as to the demands of the society for healthy teaching. So in such a neighbourhood well. nutrition quality, quantity, economy, such a plan is being made rather than ecology and societal terms. agriculture and husbandry. We have more As I end my words, I would like to express urgent expenses to be made for the needs of my gratitude to Ekrem İmamoğlu, ▶ For e better preservation, the forests the people and needs to be dealt with. Istanbul municipal mayor, that he paved of Istanbul must be given the status of the way for science, reason, conscience protection forest. and participation in the process of Canal In these neighbourhoods, Istanbul Project. Looking at you from where ▶ The forestry must be protected in all classes have 60-65 students I stand now, I would like to thank you that its types, priority given to heath land and children still attend you grew our hope for Istanbul. Welcome. and shrubbery that prevent erosion and I wish a fruitful workshop for Istanbul and promotes biodiversity. to mobile teaching. So the whole country. I embrace you all with in such a neighbourhood love and respect. Thank you. ■ ▶ Sustainability of vegetation in the empty such a plan is being made fields must be secured. rather than agriculture and ▶ Measures against the urban development husbandry. We have more pressure in clean water basins must be urgent expenses to be made taken. for the needs of the people ▶ Coastal zones must be protected from and needs to be dealt with. usages that threaten them. Today we will discuss Canal Istanbul with ▶ The natural population boundary of scientists in detail in all its dimensions. In 8 Istanbul, 16 million must not be exceeded. sessions, we will have 40 valuable speakers and thousands of participants we will It’s not me who is saying all these, it is the examine the Project in terms of economy, Report itself. You can find it online easily planning, law, environment, urbanization, and see the details. More importantly, the seismicity and many others. We aim at a report is still in force. When we ask, “What democratic debate guided by the correct will be the cost of the Canal Istanbul?” we data. Therefore, we will have differences of come across 100 billion TL budget without opinion. In this regard, we invited all the any serious income-expense analysis or relevant public institutions and investment feasibility. 8 bridges to be built, additional companies. We have put together the cost of transportation and infrastructure program of the Workshop to discuss the will be waiting for us with the Project. Once issue with correct data and scientific mind. the cost of subway investments is added Throughout the day, we will have “Speak into account we will have an unforeseeable Your Opinion” desk outside the hall and budget for the Canal. They mention these we will have interviews there. The website, figures very easily, broadcast animations kanal.istanbul is online and we also have of marinas and skyscrapers and publish a “Speak Your Mind” function there. So, real estate commercials on YouTube, yet we will keep receiving the opinions of the real life in reserve construction area Istanbulites after the Workshop as well. is far from these. Since this area was We have many participants and limited declared as reserve construction area, time, yet we will organize a forum in the

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 24 OPENING SPEECHES 25 200 THOUSAND 1.2 MILLION TREES WILL BE CUT NEW POPULATION WILL BE ADDED 136 MILLION M² AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE DESTROYED

83 MILLION M² AREA WILL BE MILLION M² 13 OPENED TO ZONING MEADOW LAND WILL BE DESTROYED

17MILLION M² PROTECTED SITE AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED

33 MILLION M³ / YEAR 3.4 MILLION WATER LOSS WILL TAKE PLACE NEW TRIPS WILL BE MADE Ekrem İmamoğlu Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor

Distinguished chairpersons, parliament city to such a risky and fatal surgery cannot members, valuable participant of political say; “This surgery will be done regardless parties, I salute you with love and respect. of what you say!” Those who have fixed It is Working Journalists Day, I salute you ideas on this surgery will have to explain all, dear press members and wish you us why we have to go through it. We all successful and free days and years in which have the duty to know why Istanbul will you will enjoy your rights. I also present my be chopped off. We have to be convinced respect to scientists, the real heroes of the with 16 million Istanbulites, even 82 million day, and to the ladies and gentlemen who Turkish citizens. All of us, we have to learn attend the Workshop today and my fellow everything and in detail on the risks of Istanbulites who follow the event on social this major surgery. First we will learn and media and other venues. Welcome to the then we can make a collective decision all Canal Istanbul Workshop that we organize together. as Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This can only go through a healthy Today, we have gathered together for one process of learning and consideration. My of the most vital issues of our city. We fellow Istanbulites, this workshop aims have gathered together to listen, discuss at disclosing the risks of Canal Istanbul, with the expert scientists and understand this stabbing of a knife onto the heart of an issue that pertains to the future of this the city, in a scientific manner. Some risks great city in its essence. This is an issue could be low, some high and some could be on which no step should be taken without vital. We will listen to what the science and discussion and certainty. So valuable and scientists say. We will try to understand, unique of a city Istanbul is, so that any learn and question. We will all know the We gathered together to listen to what the single act, any blow of the spade has to risks of Canal Istanbul and ask this question scientists have to say. As the citizens of be consulted with the people of Istanbul. to ourselves: Is it worth all these risks? Is it a country with serious problems, we will Canal Istanbul will change the geography really a necessity? Is what they are telling of Istanbul. We are talking about a project us correct? While the city has many other see how correct or risky this Project is and that will change the natural and urban life vital problems, is it really the time for such whether it is worth to take the risks in this in every dimension in significant ways. a project? workshop. Neither the attitude we exhibit Those who come up with the Project have the burden to explain to the public why it Dear guests, my fellow Istanbulites. I have nor the ideas that we share are political. is of necessity and convince them. I would said that many times before and I want They are most certainly vital and humane. like to underline here that Canal Istanbul to say it once again. Our stance on Canal Project is like a major and risky surgery that Istanbul is not political, it is of vital. Let no one would want to go through unless it me repeat, our attitude on Canal Istanbul is totally necessary. And it is totally wrong is never a political one but it is of vital, life one. We are talking about a surgery that sustaining. Because this project poses one will chop off the city and give fundamental of the biggest risks that this city had in its damage to its vital systems. Some parts of entire history. Those who bring the Project the city will be paralyzed and some others onto the agenda and say “This project will handicapped. The people who push the be done regardless of what you say!” have

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 28 OPENING SPEECHES 29 two basic arguments. The first one is the a fait accompli and creating its pretexts. trying such methods in recent years; we areas it has, develop them and create possible risks stemming from the passage The second point is, you all hear that the have been through this altogether. We see new ones. Istanbul is obliged to provide of the ships through the Bosphorus, the owners of the Project claim that it will bring the painful levels of unemployment and opportunities to those children who do second is that it will bring revenue to immense revenue to Turkey. What do they poverty. not have enough to eat and drink, and Turkey. These are the two basic arguments. base this claim on? Trust me, I have tried bring them pre-school services. Istanbul Yes, we know that it is an important to understand but came to a conclusion is obliged to offer education to its youth issue to secure the safe passage of the that it is not possible. It is not even clear We are ready and keen to work and provide them with scholarships and ships through the Bosphorus, especially where the money for the Project will come with the government in every jobs. Istanbul is obliged to offer women the ones that carry dangerous cargo. We from, and how it will be financed and by field; we have no question opportunities to participate in social life in have to be very sensitive about that with whom? Let me tell you something: it is a safe and peaceful manner. Istanbul has to all our institutions. We will stand by our not even clear what they will do. We have marks on that. We have a make the lives of the poor, unemployed and government and give it full support in researched into the issue around the clock single precondition; no one retired people. Let me put it very clearly; whatever steps it takes to provide security as the Metropolitan Municipality. You see, in this country, no one in this we see the fulfilment of these necessities, in the Bosphorus. We by all means have to they are talking about a different model preparation for the seismic risks and cooperate on that issue. No one should have every other day. We have been talking city should say, “I know it, the issue of urban transformation as our a doubt about that. But, just moving the about the water issue of Istanbul for the so I do it as I please.” No one priorities. This is what we work for and this passageway of ships with dangerous cargo last two days. Valuable scientists have should lift up one’s voice and is where we are headed. Of course, these from some place to some other, does not made important presentations in the last issues also fall under the responsibility of provide security. There is no such thing. two days, discussed the water reservoirs reprimand people here. This is the central government. We are ready and On top of that, we all know that Canal of Istanbul and its future. Professor Derin the only precondition we have. keen to work with the government in every Istanbul will not present an alternative to Orhon told a beautiful joke there. With all field; we have no question marks on that. those ships that are big in width and depth. due respect for the chairpersons of parties It would bring neither security nor a good We have a single precondition; no one in Again, we know that the ships cannot and our guests, let me tell you that joke. economy. There is not concrete reason this country, no one in this city should say, be forced to use the Canal rather than Nasreddin Hodja writes a letter one day for the intermittent appearance of Canal “I know it, so I do it as I please.” This is the Bosphorus. No one should take us for kids. gives the envelope to a kid and tells him to Istanbul on the country’s agenda. We only precondition we have. No one should Whichever waterway they use, all the ships take it to the address. The kid looks at the have seen it all together that those who lift up one’s voice and reprimand people have to follow the strict safety and security envelopes and tells Hodja that there is no declared the Project with a big noise here. Yes, this is the only precondition we regulations of Turkey. What matters is address on the envelope. Hodja tells the kid; before the 2011 elections have made no have. We have the things that I mention in building the infrastructure of that. no problem, the envelope is empty anyway. mention of it in 2015 general election our heart, in our traditions, in our land. This, unfortunately is what this process and 2019 local elections. They seem to be It would suffice to listen to Rumi. Let’s The owners of the Project tells me. mobilizing the issue now to get us face a remember what Rumi said: “Raise your fait accompli. Obviously they are trying words not your voice. It is the rain that claim that it will bring Obvioulsy, dear Istanbulites, the owners to create a political campaign out of it. grows the flowers not the thunder.” This immense revenue to Turkey. of the Project do not have the approach of This country does not need the type of is why we should listen to the experts, It is not even clear where the a serious investor on the economic side of rollercoaster politics built on this Project scientists and the people. We should all be the issue. Here is what they say; we will dig that manifests itself through daily politics, keen and enthusiastic to find the common money for the Project will a canal here, and ask for money whoever personalized commercial networks and rent wisdom and put it into practice. This come from, and how it will passes through it. Then we construct huge relationships. This country does not even workshop is a product of such an effort. be financed and by whom? buildings around the canal and make have a second to lose. This workshop is the product of an effort money from that as well. Well, this is not to reach common wisdom and collective Distinguished participants, another a suitable approach to this day and age. Distinguished guests, we have so important decision. This workshop is the product important issue is decreasing Istanbul’s This is not a serious economic approach and vital problems that we are not obliged of an effort to protect this great city for function especially in petroleum and there is not much to talk about there. to this Project. Neither the city of Istanbul the next generations. This workshop is transportation. We agree. But changing This is not a reasonable approach. This is obliged to a Project like that. Istanbul is the product of asking for people’s opinion the waterway for the ships to pass through approach doesn’t comply with international rather obliged to re-start the investments rather than imposing opinions on them, will not ensure that. What must be done agreements either. This model does not that came to halt, invest much more on ruling them. This is why this workshop is of -let me underline here that they made us involve production and high technology, subway transportation and other modes utmost importance. forget that- building other alternatives it does not have added value or brand of urban transportation, and has to tackle like Baku-Ceyhan petroleum pipelines. creation. It is built upon the soil, concrete the issue of transportation like in any other Dear guests, we will share all the results Pushing all these alternatives to aside and and rent. You can’t make money with these civilized metropolitan cities. Istanbul is that will come out of this workshop with saying that “Canal Istanbul is of necessity models in this day and age. The world has obliged to protect its water reservoirs, the people and those who carry the burden for the security of Istanbul” is neither changed. You can’t create an economic clean water reservoirs and increase them of making decisions on behalf of people. correct, nor rational or reasonable. On recovery or employment either. This is what further. In the same fashion, Istanbul is In this regard we are carrying out our the contrary it is turning the issue into the reports are saying. Turkey has been obliged to protect the last remaining green responsibility to this great city, its values

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 30 OPENING SPEECHES 31 and 16 million citizens at the highest level. here and expressing their opinions, all the We took initiative while no one spoke; no delegates, participants and everyone else one was even able to discuss the issue while who enlighten the society on the issue, the Project was being pushed forward in all the political parties, their participants, hurry-scurry. As Istanbul Metropolitan specifically the chairpersons of the parties, Municipality, we took this initiative to the representatives of NGOs and academics. inform our citizens. We invited the relevant This appreciation is not just on behalf of state institutions to act responsibly and 16 million Istanbulites but also for the created platforms for scientists to speak. future generations, for our children and First we organized the symposium and now grandchildren. Thank you very much. I this workshop. We will keep up the legal salute you with love and respect. ■ dimension of our struggle from now on. We will do that and never back down from our responsibilities.

Please get your children by your side and look into their eyes. While you do that I am asking you this question: Do they really need this project, this Canal? Is this the best thing to do for their future? Do they expect a more liveable and civilized and less problematic city from those who run this city and the country or a risky surgery to be done?

Here and now, I would like to address all the Istanbulites and each and every citizen of Turkey. Please get your children by your side and look into their eyes. While you do that I am asking you this question: Do they really need this project, this Canal? Is this the best thing to do for their future? Do they expect a more liveable and civilized and less problematic city from those who run this city and the country or a risky surgery to be done? We are trustees and we will pass this city onto them. The main issue for us, the people who are with us now and the whole country, is this. This is a vital issue altogether and discussing the risks of Canal Istanbul is nothing political, nothing about this discussion is political.

Distinguished guests, as I end my words, I would like to express my gratitude to all the experts who take responsibility by coming

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 32 OPENING SPEECHES 33

SESSIONS

The workshop that hosted 40 speakers in total will have two separate sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. In both sessions, the speakers made their presentations in simultaneous meetings. The presentations that were made under four separate titles were compiled together by the rapporteurs. At the end of all sessions, the Head of Development and Urbanization Department made a presentation entitled “Moderator presentations and Evaluation” that summarized the key findings during the discussions. The issues that were touched upon in this session are placed under the title of “Session Evaluation” at the end of each session.

Sessions 1 1.1 Political Economy of Canal Istanbul 1.2 Spatial Planning, Urbanism and Transportation 1.3 Environmental Dimension, Water and Ecology 1.4 Social Dimension and Participation

Sessions 2 2.1 Legal Framework and Security 2.2 Disaster Risk and Seismicity 2.3 Spatial Planning, Urban Development and Cultural Heritage 2.4 Environmental Dimension: Agriculture, Climate and Ecology

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 34 SESSIONS 35 Session 1

Session 1.1 Session 1.2 Session 1.3 Session 1.4

Political Economy Spatial Planning, Urbanism and Environmental Dimension, Social Dimension and Of Canal Istanbul Transportation Water and Ecology Participation

Moderator: Moderator: Moderator: Moderator:

Yiğit Oğuz Duman İbrahim Orhan Demir Prof. Dr. Yasin Çağatay Seçkin Mahir Polat Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Advisor of the Mayor Deputy General Secretary Head of Department of Parks, Gardens and Head of Department of Cultural Assets Green Areas

Speakers: Speakers: Speakers: Speakers:

Çiğdem Toker Prof. Dr. Haluk Gerçek Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahsen Yüksek Assoc. Prof. Dr Ayfer Bartu Candan Journalist and Author İTÜ Retired Lecturer, Transportation Expert İstanbul University, Bosphorus University, Department of Marine Sciences and Department of Sociology Prof. Dr. Fikret Adaman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vefik Alp Management Bosphorus University, Emeritus Professor, Bekir Ağırdır Department of Economics Certified Engineer Architect, Urban Scientist Prof. Dr. Cemal Saydam KONDA Research and Consultancy Hacettepe University, General Director Prof. Dr. Haluk Levent Prof. Dr. Nuran Zeren Gülersoy Department of Environmental Engineering Bilgi University, Işık University, Prof. Dr. İhsan Bilgin Department of Business Administration Faculty of Architecture and Design Prof. Dr. Derin Orhon İstanbul Bilgi University, Near East University, Faculty of Architecture Prof. Dr. Uğur Emek Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pelin Pınar Giritlioğlu Faculty of Construction and Başkent University, TMMOB, Chamber of City Planners, Environmental Engineering Prof. Dr. Murat Cemal Yalçıntan Department of Economics Istanbul Branch MSGSU, Department of Urban and Prof. Dr. Doğanay Tolunay Regional Planning Prof. Dr. Şevkiye Şence Türk Istanbul University, İTÜ, Department of Urban and Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Forest Regional Planning Dr. Sedat Kalem World Wildlife Foundation(WWF) Turkey Protection Director

Selahattin Beyaz TMMOB, Chamber of Environmental Engineers Istanbul Branch

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 36 SESSIONS 37 than its cost, it is also considered to be 1.1 made with the build-rent-transfer model instead of the build-operate-transfer model. Political Economy In the process of the search for investors, advantages such as tax reduction in fuel are of Canal Istanbul planned. ▶ Taking into account that a budget deficit Çiğdem Toker of 140 billion TL is envisaged for 2020, we Journalist and Author confront with a project with an investment cost as much as a budget deficit, which corresponds to 11% of our total budget. The fact that the project In the session “Political Economy of Despite all objections, the main purpose of Canal Istanbul” moderated by Istanbul investment cost is 75 billion imposing such mega projects is to sustain Metropolitan Municipality Advisor of the TL in the official document the markets through the subcontractor Mayor Yiğit Oğuz Duman, Canal Istanbul and 118 billion TL in the system. The project shows us that Project is addressed in economic and report of the Ministry of construction companies are also actors in political terms. the construction of hegemony. Under no Transport, Maritime Affairs, circumstances, should Istanbul be handed and Communications indicates over to construction companies. that the cost account is uncertain and contradictory.

Canal Istanbul Project is the most controversial project in the history of the Republic. The task of journalists is to better understand and explain this project, which is dictated to the public with the money of the public.The issue needs to be approached by asking questions about income inequality and what and how it is financed. It is Prof. Dr. Fikret Adaman necessary to highlight the following points: Bosphorus University, ▶The differences in the project investment Department of Economics cost in various sources (75 billion TL in the official document, 118 billion TL in the report of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime As an environmental economist, while Affairs and Communications) indicate examining the project, my main criterion is that the cost calculation is uncertain and cost-benefit analysis. As part of this analysis, contradictory and creates suspicion about we observe that important topic such as the the gravity of the work. following are missing: ▶ It is another severe uncertainty to state that ▶ Direct and indirect returns, if it cannot be conducted with the build- ▶ Direct and indirect costs, operate-transfer model, it will be carried ▶ Distribution of benefits and costs by years, out from the national budget. If it will be ▶ A discount rate to express the returns and conducted with build-operate-transfer costs that will occur during the lifetime of model, the question arises whether the the project with today’s value, tender will be held and according to which ▶ Project life method the tender will be held. The fact It is stating the obvious that in determining that construction of the national budget the parameters under these titles, detailed suggests that it may be 21 / b, which is open analyzes should be made and determination to competition, summarized as an invited of the parameters should be based on the tender rather than a legal tender. detailed analysis. For instance, due to the ▶ Since the operating income of the project project, the decrease in the bird population within the state is considered to be lower may negatively affect the agriculture in the

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 38 SESSIONS 39 region, this situation may not only change many parameters in question. Assumptions deepen the problem in terms of population it can be seen as a project proposal, not a the ecological, but also the socio-economic and models have not been adequately and economic activities. On the other hand, project per se. It is understood that demand life in the region, and the importance of studied and discussed, both in the scientific claims such as the potential profitability estimation is not made in the specified possible synergies such as these should not community and in the public. There are and the protection of the straits, which need, because, the number of ships passing be ignored. In addition, lower-upper limits unpredictable risks and the project has the are put as the main justifications for the through the Bosphorus and carrying can be set in estimates of some parameters. potential to bear significant irreversible risks. construction of the canal, are disproven dangerous cargo is gradually decreasing. If such a path is followed, simulation should We are faced with a mega project in terms of by the experts who provided evidence Indicators for the absence of a significant be made according to the lowest and highest its budget and its effects. Therefore, the Canal that these claims are wrong. The reason increasing trend in the Baltic Dry Cargo values of the accounts. It is necessary to Istanbul Project should not be rushed. for insisting on the construction of Canal index and the decrease in the number of consider what else can be done with the Istanbul seems to be creating a new source shipbuilding indicate that ship demand in resources to be spent on a specific project. of (unearned) rent. The confiscation of world trade is not increasing. This is even more important when it comes (unearned) rent through public is a common to projects with large budgets, such as Canal method in Turkey and many countries and By way of using the Gold Franc Istanbul. constitutes the background of authoritarian populist economic power. The growth model right granted to Turkey by the But this kind of analysis - just like Canal predominant in Turkey for a long time is Montreux Convention as well Istanbul Project - reveals a complicated based on the monetization of (unearned) as by increasing the passage situation for two reasons. The first is that rent and as a result, has led to a deepening prices we can more easily uncertainties are in effect (for example, there of social problems such as unemployment, are difficulties in attributing the possibility income inequality. Realization of (unearned) decrease the ship traffic and of how some effects occur in what form, Prof. Dr. Haluk Levent rent production mainly through the increase our income. intensity and time period). Secondly, there Bilgi University, Department of construction sector has not only caused much is difficulty of expressing some benefits and Business Administration economic and social damage but also created In many mega projects such as Gebze-Izmit costs in monetary terms, for example, if irreversible ecological problems. In today’s Highway Project, Panama Canal and Suez some costs are on coastal ecology or human world, where climate destruction continues Canal, there have been great cost overruns. health, they cannot be easily predicted. In The most important issue is that there is no at full speed, it may be possible to limit the Official organizations make different addition, a situation such as some costs significant feasibility and therefore, it is not negative effects of environmental damage estimates regarding the cost of Canal being irreversible (for example, in the case possible to make an economic evaluation and regional concentration to some extent Istanbul. Even the lowest cost expressed replacement of habitat destruction which / any evaluation. It is an unacceptable by applying taxes of up to 80-85% to income corresponds to an important share in GDP. will result in the loss of biodiversity, that loss shortcoming that there is no feasibility study increases obtained from publicly generated This project is prepared with the logic of of biodiversity will not be achieved) brings while discussing the spending of such a large reconstruction / construction rent, as in the “make it up as you go along” and these costs additional challenges in calculating costs. The amount of public resources. If this project developed capitalist countries. In summary, are only wishful thinking. project can be abandoned by applying the was to be constructed, the strait traffic should the Canal Istanbul Project is the first stage of “prudence principle” in the presence of such have been increasing gradually, but the a ponzi schemes aimed at producing rent. If the most pertinent justification of Canal situations and especially in the presence of a number of ships passing through the strait Istanbul is the increasing number of ship significant vital meaning of this presence. has been decreasing in the last decade. It is traffic over the Bosphorus, by way of using We know little about the feasibility of the also unclear whether there is a possibility of the Gold Franc right granted to Turkey by an increase and how possible risks can be the Montreux Convention as well as by We confront with a mega reduced. increasing the passage prices we can more project in terms of its budget easily decrease the ship traffic and increase and its effects. Therefore, There is no clarity about what it would bring our income. to the ships passing through the canal instead the Canal Istanbul Project of the Bosphorus. The argument that the Considering the Istanbul Airport and the should not be rushed. waiting time will be shortened cannot be new regions opening to the settlement, it defended clearly. The EIA Report states that it is possible to say that the Canal Istanbul project. On the other hand, despite the will create an employment of10 thousand jobs Prof. Dr. Uğur Emek proposal is an integrated rent project. The existence of a comprehensive EIA Report, and its cost will be $ 10 billion, employment Başkent University, financing of such a rent project with the the fact that no analysis has been made on cost per capita is up to 1 million dollars. This Department of Economics taxes of taxpayers living in other regions of the costing of possible impacts indicates calculation is unrealistic and this money Anatolia such as Tekirdağ, Adana, Ankara, that there is no sound general assessment. should be utilized more effectively. İzmir, Erzurum, Van and Trabzon will also Scientific studies reach uncertain conclusions Regarding the project cycle management seriously disrupt the income distribution in some cases and even in most cases. For One of the main problems of our country framework, planning about the need for and among the generations in favor of the this reason, the project should be evaluated is the economic development differences feasibility stages of Canal Istanbul Project are beneficiaries of this rent. Due to the debt in more participatory ways, not limited to the between regions. Canal Istanbul Project highly controversial. Tender and financing burden that will be imposed on future scientific community only. We do not know will increase the density of Istanbul and issues contain serious ambiguities. Therefore, generations, the income distribution will deteriorate once again against the youth. ■

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 40 SESSIONS 41 Summary

In the session “Political Economy of Canal Istanbul” moderated by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Advisor of the Mayor Yiğit Oğuz Duman, it is emphasized that “project contains many uncertainties and inconsistencies” and the following statements are made: NUMBER OF SHIPS PASSING THROUGH BOSPHORUS PER YEAR ▶ The investment cost of the project is differently stated in different documents and uncertainties regarding the tender process indicate that the issue is not taken seriously enough.

▶ Cost-benefit analysis, risks, and projections have not been adequately studied.

▶ Addressing environmental and social impacts in terms of economic costs is also controversial.

▶ The project cost is expected to exceed the announced figures to reach up to $ 60 billion.

▶ The money to be spent on the project can Each “.” Symbol represents 2000 ships. be used very effectively in solving the priority problems of our country such as unemployment and regional inequality

▶ Data visualization:Teyit.org Resource: the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 42 SESSIONS 43 accelerate with the current and the risk 1.2 of placing on the ground of the canal will arise due to this collapse in question. On Spatial Planning, the other hand, cargo ships with a draft survey of 18-19 meters cannot pass through Urbanism and the canal. According to the EIA Report, 1.1 billion m³ of excavation will be carried out Transportation Prof. Dr. Haluk Gerçek for Canal Istanbul. With the material from İTÜ Retired Lecturer, Transportation Expert this excavation, a 38 kilometre-long filling area is planned to be constructed in the Black Sea. The actual amount of excavation In the session “Spatial Planning, Urbanism The purpose of Canal Istanbul Project in will be much more than this figure. When and Transportation” moderated by Istanbul the EIA Report is described as creating an the bulking coefficient is taken as 1.40, the Metropolitan Municipality Deputy General alternative passage route to the Bosphorus amount of material to be transported is Secretary Ibrahim Orhan Demir, Canal to reduce the pressure and threats on the calculated as 2.4 billion m³. Istanbul is addressed in terms of urbanism city due to “the increase in ship traffic, and transportation. the increase in ship sizes as a result of Within the scope of the project, technological developments and the transportation structures such as container increase of ship crossings (tanker) that ports, logistics centre and marina are carry fuel and other dangerous / toxic planned. In addition, 8 bridge crossings, substances.” So the first question we have and 3 deep subway crossings are envisaged, to ask is this: “Is the ship traffic in the one being a railroad crossing. The Bosphorus really increasing?” dimensions of four of these bridges are about the Bosphorus Bridge. Ship traffic in the Bosphorus has been decreasing since 2007. Annual ship traffic The depth of the canal will decreased from 56.606 in 2007 to 41.103 in 2018. Tankers account for 20% of ship be 20.75 meters. Therefore, traffic. The main reasons for the decrease in it is technically impossible ship traffic are the decrease in oil reserves, for ships with a draft survey Russia’s shift of oil exports to the Baltic Sea ports, the formation of new passageways in higher than 17 meters to the Arctic Sea with the melting of glaciers in pass through the canal. the north, pipeline projects, and the ability Therefore, ships that cannot of ships growing larger and carrying more pass through the Bosphorus cargo. Therefore, there is no scientific basis for the projection, which envisages the ship cannot pass through the canal. traffic to reach 86 thousand levels in 2071 as stated in the EIA Report. Ship accidents The total cost of the project is 21.06 billion in the Bosphorus are also decreasing. USD, and the revenue to be obtained The number of accidents, which was 340 from real estate investments to be made in the 1982-1993 period decreased to 266 as a result of the land development in in the 1994-2003 period and to 281 in the the project area is around 10.5 billion. 2004-2018 period. Then we need to address In the light of all these data, it is easy to the engineering dimensions of Canal say that the Canal Istanbul Project is not Istanbul and the features of the design transportation or logistics project, but a real ship. First of all, the depth of the canal is estate project for the development of areas 20.75 meters, the base width is minimum that have not yet been built. 275 meters, and the water surface width is minimum 360 meters. Therefore, ships with a draft survey of 17 meters can pass through the canal, but as the ship speeds up, a collapse will occur in the front of the ship. Especially when travelling from the Black Sea to Marmara, the ships will

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 44 SESSIONS 45 Now, with the third bridge, the North Unless the efforts to develop the economy Marmara Motorway, the new airport and through the real estate sector are based on finally the Canal Istanbul Project perforated a well-researched and properly designed this plan and the plan has become obsolete. planning, it will adversely affect the TEM (Trans-European Motorway) was livelihoods of people of Istanbul. There is constructed as a speed highway for transit no direct relationship between the vision, transportation, but later turned into a city goals and objectives of the newly displayed Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vefik Alp road with attaching connected roads. The Prof. Dr. Nuran Zeren Gülersoy plan and the decisions of the 1 / 100,000 Emeritus Professor, city grew rapidly to the north and became Işık University, Scale Istanbul Environmental Plan of 2009. Certified Engineer Architect, concrete. Now we will experience the Faculty of Architecture and Design It does not contain solutions in accordance Urban Scientist same situation with the third bridge, the with the 2009 Environmental Plan, nor Northern Highway and the new airport. is it compatible with the plan which has It has already been understood that the Istanbul is a city with a rich natural, contradictions in itself and EIA Report I was against the project since the first surroundings of the Canal Istanbul Project historical and cultural heritage in a special currently under display in terms of content day. The Canal Istanbul Project does not will be opened for construction. There geographical location. The positive and and process. have feasibility and rentability, bringing are also problems with the Black Sea. negative developments in the spatial additional burdens to the already burdened According to the scientific study of Prof. Dr. structure and socio-economic consequences The 2009 Environmental Plan is a plan that Istanbul. The canal will convert the city Hüseyin Murat Çekirge from USA, there is of Istanbul will not affect only Istanbul, but identifies with the historical, cultural and to an “Ecumenopolis”; in other words to H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide) gas trapped under Turkey as a whole. Istanbul aspires to be the natural values of Istanbul, envisages the a suffering and nightmare city, where the Black Sea. Due to the level difference centre of Eurasia in terms of finance and protection of the city’s life resources in the water, green space, and air are drained. It of 30 cm between the two seas, the canal service, logistics, communications, transport, north, reflects environmental, economic is obvious that it will further destruct the project disrupts the water budget and infrastructure, tourism and culture. and social sustainability principles on the ecological balance of Istanbul. In summary, brings the risk of this gas to be released place, and enhances the quality of life, I am of the opinion that this adventure will and mixed with air. If this gas is mixed into Canal Istanbul Project is a and adopts an effective and participatory damage Istanbul. Every project is created the air, other countries in the impact area, city management / governance. For the so as to meet a need, but there is no need especially the countries that have a coast to real estate and rent project. third bridge, which is not included in the for such a canal in Istanbul. It is also not the Black Sea, will also be poisoned. In the plan, 36 thousand Environmental Plan of 2009 and is not correct to compare this initiative with the 453 hectares are reserved suitable for the plan approach, a total of Suez and Panama Canals, which were built TRANSMAR Marmara Floating Auto-Ray 2542 hectares, of which 1416 hectares on to significantly shorten the sea routes for Viaduct, which is a leg of my “Circles for residential areas. That is the European Side, 1126 hectares on the the ships that previously needed to sail System” project, which combines Sabiha more than 4 times the 8714 Anatolian Side, 6172 hectares for the third around whole continents. I did conduct Gökçen and Atatürk Airports from the sea, hectares allocated for the third airport, and a total of 8714 hectares of giant projects; I prepared the preliminary which will reduce the transportation load bridge and the third airport. forest area have been allocated. A large projects of the three-storey Euro-Asia tube of Istanbul, was included in the world press part of the reserve project area proposed crossing, which was planned together with and scientific books. I designed this project for the Environmental Plan Amendment Marmaray rail way, and presented them so that the remaining lungs of Istanbul, The central government is advancing its is agriculture and forage land. These areas to the public in the election campaigns of namely Northern Forests would not be design and reconstruction initiatives for will disappear with the implementation of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality injured; the project was not conducted as Istanbul to make it a city with attractive the project. in which I was a candidate in 1994, 1999 it was not suitable for land speculation. features for Europe, Asia, the Middle and 2004. For example, I find and support In this framework, it is not correct to East and Arab Countries in terms of In line with the purpose stated in the projects of the government such as deactivate Atatürk Airport. As a result, financial initiatives and especially real the Environmental Plan Amendment Osmangazi Bridge and the bridge to the our priority regarding Istanbul is not to estate investments. On the other hand, the explanatory report, issues such as airport, Dardanelles because they correspond to a construct a canal as an alternative to our Bosphorus and its surroundings, with its tourism and urban transformation need. But Canal Istanbul is a “sick” project. Bosporus. Our priorities are the following: geographical, biological, physiographic, were emphasized. Therefore, the plan If the problem is the number of oil tankers, ▶ Limiting the population, hydrological and oceanographic features, amendment is not suitable for the reserve the marine traffic in the Bosphorus has ▶ Preparing the city for earthquakes by create a unique ecological environment area definition and purpose. It is obvious decreased. Also, more appropriate projects transforming the stock of unsound and between the Black Sea and the that this project, which does not comply can be made in this sense. distorted building inventory; Mediterranean. It is a vital necessity for the with planning principles, techniques ▶ Streamlining transport; people of Istanbul to protect the water basins and method will harm the quality of life On the other hand, nearly 400 experts ▶ Prepare the city for climate change. for covering the need of city’s fresh water of Istanbul residents and will not make worked in the 2009 Environmental Plan Canal Istanbul Project is not scientific and needs until the alternatives are developed. any positive contribution. In summary, and Mayor Kadir Topbaş was referring to sustainable; I still sustain my opinion as it In order to ensure the healthy development this is not a transportation project, but a this plan as the “50-year Constitution of is megalomaniacal rent initiative. of Istanbul, protecting forest areas, fertile settlement project through which a canal Istanbul.” According to the plan, the green agricultural lands and preventing air, water passes. north of Istanbul was protected. and soil pollution are of vital importance.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 46 SESSIONS 47 people of the region will decrease through of the population is not included in the this plan. report, the population that to be transferred ▶ Urban service costs and their prices to this region due to the new employment on the public will increase. For example, is ignored. These decisions contradict citizens who do not pass over the bridges each other. Yet there is certainty in the will pay for the bridges which have Turkish planning system and it progresses passenger guarantee. according to the hierarchy system. In this Assoc.Prof. Dr. Pelin Pınar Giritlioğlu ▶ Canal Istanbul Project is unacceptable Prof. Dr. Şevkiye Şence Türk system, plans are important, not people’s TMMOB, Chamber of City Planners, because it does not favour the public İTÜ, Department of Urban and comments. Decisions should be made Istanbul Branch interest most. Regional Planning according to the plans made. ▶ It is a mega project not included in the 1 / 100.000 scale plan. Istanbul has a forgotten vulnerable First of all, it is necessary to start with the ▶ It disregards the disaster risk in I want to start off my words by addressing geography. Therefore, the decisions taken definition of the planning and reserve areas contradiction with the objectives of Canal and Yenişehir dilemma. Reserve should observe this sensitivity. There is also specified in the Canal Istanbul Project. the 2009 Istanbul Environmental Plan. construction areas are determined in the risk of concentrating all investments in The main purpose of construction areas Likewise, it does not preserve the ecological accordance with the Law No. 6306 and this Istanbul. Concentrating all the investments is to create new settlement areas in order balance; it opens the north for construction area consists of 42 thousand hectares. at a single point is an important strategic to prevent disaster risk. In the planning and consumes water basins. mistake. In case of a problem, all area of Yenişehir, there are 33 thousand ▶ It is a project planned to consume the Which project causes the formation of investments will be affected by this very 498 hectares in total; and it consists of 4 resources of the city, which does not have the other, whether it is Yenişehir or canal problem. regions: namely “Ecology and Technology an example in the world. project, it is unknown. The impact of the Zone”, “Development Housing and Trade ▶ The Northern Forests in the impact area Canal Istanbul Project primarily and then As a result; projects such as Canal and Zone”, “Tourism and Transformation Zone” of the project are the forests that Europe the Yenişehir project should be evaluated. Yenişehir should be determined by and “National and International Logistics accepts among 100 forest areas that should planning decisions at national and regional Zone”. be protected primarily. 60% of the agricultural areas level. ▶ Economic reasons that are the only With the Yenişehir project, 8 forest villages reason of the project are also refuted. It is a will be opened for construction The necessity of the Canal Istanbul Project will lose their quality as village, and many hollow argument that a project consuming with the residential areas should be discussed at the level of planning neighbourhoods will remain in the impact fundamental life resources namely to be constructed. decisions, but the Yenişehir project is area and the Terkos-Haliç-Küçükçekmece agriculture, water, forests resources will definitely not a requirement for Canal ecological corridor will be damaged. It is make lots of money. The division of Canal Istanbul Project into 3 Istanbul. ■ necessary to emphasize the following issues ▶ There is important information about the parts means dividing the natural structure regarding Canal Istanbul Project. damages and effects of the project in the into 3 parts, disrupting the integrity of the ▶ The Canal Istanbul Project contradicts annexes of the EIA Report but not in the constructed environment and dividing a the upper scale plan decisions and is legally main content of the report. past into 3 parts. With the Yenişehir project, null and void; it is unlawful. ▶ It is stated in the EIA Report that the 60% of the agricultural lands are opened ▶ The plan is a plan that shows nature as implementation will be made by using the for construction. In the upper scale plans, address and encroaches the city’s water Regulatory Partnership Share (DOP). the lower centres are planned to develop on right, right to life and public rights. In other words, 45% of the land will be the east-west axis, but north of Istanbul is ▶ In the canal planned to be narrower taken from the people free of charge, but opened to development with Yenişehir and and longer than the Bosphorus, different it will not be used in accordance with DOP Canal projects. security measures that cannot be taken in deduction. This will lead to dispossession the Bosphorus will not be taken either. and displacement. Rotterdam, which is a logistics centre, is ▶ Canal Istanbul Project is a real estate To summarize, Canal Istanbul Project, with shown as an example to Canal Istanbul project. its archaeological and ecological risks, is Project. However, Istanbul and Rotterdam ▶ Natural and artificial risks are created an eco-butchery project that violates the are two cities that are not alike in terms through the project. It creates population property right, takes away the rights of the of historical development, demographic and settlement pressure on three active society and is of no public interest. structure, sector composition and socio- fault lines. economic development levels. Projected ▶ Although quality life is stated to population is not specified in the 1 / 100.000 increase, there is not any article as for the Istanbul Environmental Plan Amendment improvement of quality of life in neither plan explanatory report. There are in the EIA Report nor in plan report.. This decisions such as “The population cannot plan will not increase the quality of life, but exceed 500 thousand, but 500 thousand new on the contrary, the quality of life of the jobs will be created.” Since the projection

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 48 SESSIONS 49 Summary

SAZLIDERE DAM The most emphasized point in the “Spatial Planning, Urbanism and Transportation” session under the moderation of IMMDeputy GeneralSecretary General İbrahim Orhan Demir is that “The project does not have a scientific quality.” The results of the session are as follows:

▶ The Environmental Plan, approved in 2009, protects the north of Istanbul. However, this project opens the north of the city to the settlement.

▶ The changes made in the Environmental Plan are not in accordance with the definition and purpose of the reserve area.

▶ Canal Istanbul is not a project designed in an integrated manner. It will bring high costs to both land and sea transportation.

▶ Northern Forests, one of the 100 forests that should be protected primarily, will be negatively affected.

▶ The project should comply with national and regional planning decisions.

▶ Yenişehir and Canal projects should be evaluated separately. The Yenişehir Project is not necessary for Canal construction.

▶ Canal Istanbul is an initiative, not a project. It is against the principle of sustainability.

▶ Canal Istanbul is an ecocide project. TERKOS LAKE

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 50 SESSIONS 51 of many species have disappeared due to 1.3 human pressure and poor management. ▶ Coastal fill areas have a significant Environmental impact on the Marmara Sea biodiversity even at present conditions. It means the Dimension, Water disappearance of natural areas, especially beach areas. This situation also affects and Ecology Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahsen Yüksek species diversity in the same region. The İstanbul University, Department of Marine dunes contain special living groups in Sciences and Management marine systems and are the ecosystem units that play an important role in the conversion of inorganic matter into organic In the session “Environmental Dimension, In my speech, I will focus on the importance matter, removing toxic substances (such as Water and Ecology” moderated by the of Marmara Sea, productivity, bottom petroleum) and removal of marine waste Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of oxygen level, water quality, biodiversity, from the marine environment. Filling these Department of Parks, Gardens and Green current status, species distribution and areas and turning them into hard grounds Areas, ecological impacts of canal project how ecological quality of coastal water will cause the dune ecosystem functions on Istanbul are addressed extensively. bodies have changed in recent years due to to disappear and biodiversity and habitat pressures. The Marmara Sea ecosystem is a destruction in Marmara and Black Sea. rare system worldwide. It provides 6 of the ▶ The destruction of the natural wonder 7 criteria used in determining the criteria of Karaburun coastline, which was formed Ecological or Biologically Important Marine in the centuries-old coast of the Black Sea, Areas in UNEP / CBD / SBSTTA / 16 / L.13 with instead of being a Blue Flag candidate, is “high” values. an important loss both for the people of Istanbul and for marine creatures living It is a strait system between two important in the marine region and in conservation seas such as Marmara, Mediterranean and status. Black Sea and is called the “Turkish Straits ▶ In addition, especially in Marmara, coastal System”. Unfortunately, due to the pressure fill areas and coastal destruction will cause on this particular sea, which is completely jellyfish polyps to settle in these regions, under our management, the system has been increase their populations and change living rapidly collapsing in recent years, especially creature groups that distribute in the pelagic after 2010. It is possible to follow this system. situation frequently from the press, especially ▶ If the population continues to increase in winter. in the north of the Marmara Sea, the high nitrogen and phosphorus load in the In this context, we can list the reasons such marine environment will increase, and the as recent fish mortality, reduced fisheries, low oxygen level in the bottom water will coloration observed in sea water, increases decrease even more. As a result, important in the amount of seaweed and jellyfish and fisheries will disappear as the anaerobe mucilage (skateboarding by name). conditions observed in the deep regions of ▶ The pressure of the population, especially the Gemlik and Izmit bays approach towards concentrated in Northern Marmara, on the shore in the Silivri Bay and Istanbul the sea; the high amount of nitrogen and region. phosphate from wastewater, has broken ▶ Nitrogen, phosphorus and flow rate the food chain in Marmara Sea. In the calculations are incorrect along with the North Marmara Subwater, where hypoxic analysis of water quality values mentioned conditions prevail, the oxygen level has fallen in the EIA Report. Therefore, the inferences to levels that are not sufficient for the life related to this are also misleading. of the living after 2016. Likewise, since the As a last word, I would like to emphasize oxygen level is very low in the deep waters an important issue: Importance should be of Izmit Bay and Gemlik Bay, where the flow attached to the controlling the population system is weak, biodiversity remained at the growth in order for it to serve a healthy “bad” level in these areas. In other words, society for the welfare of the Marmara reproduction, development and feeding areas Region; and to the projects that will not

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 52 SESSIONS 53 increase the population, but decrease it kilometres is the most optimistic estimate. Unfortunately, the EIA study ignores the fatal ignores this legislation and destroys the and therefore, projects that will reduce As a result, with the amount discharged effects of the Canal project in Istanbul and Sazlıdere Dam, which has a water supply the pressures on the society. On condition by İSKİ, the organic load poured into the nature in any subject that can be addressed. capacity to a population of 1.35 million in that the Marmara Sea is managed correctly Marmara Sea increases by one hundred A severe environmental destruction will Istanbul. Likewise, the southeast catchment with the contribution of central and local percent. So what happens if the Marmara be experienced with the canal project. basin of Terkos Lake has been disappearing administrations, it can return to its former Sea cannot bear this load? In this case, First of all, the Black Sea and especially the and Terkos faces a great deal of salinization. productive status in a short time. Sea of Marmara will continue to be break western region is a very dirty environment. In case that Terkos Lake is also lost, water down the organic matter using oxygen. As a The canal will discharge this pollution to supply of Istanbul will be hit by a fatal blow. result, since there is not enough oxygen in the shallowest and most sensitive area of In addition, construction around the Canal the Marmara Sea substrate, it takes oxygen Marmara. Pollution load to be transported to will require the allocation of the entire from sulphate and remains H2S. H2S gas will the sensitive area of Marmara is calculated Büyükçekmece Lake to the canal and will produce a rotten egg smell, just like in the as the equivalent of at least 2 million people create an additional demand for potable Izmit Bay pothole. If this occurs once, there through Canal Istanbul. This amount means water. On the one hand, such an additional is no turning back. This smell will be present the discharge of wastewater generated by 20 demand for Istanbul, which is struggling to wherever the lower water mixes with the million people to Marmara after treatment. supply water from Melen, is a burden that upper water; along the Bosphorus, in Bebek, A pollution load at this level due to Canal cannot be endured. In summary, it means Kuleli fronts and offshore Ahırkapı. When Istanbul brings the risk of consuming the collapse of the water system in Istanbul. there is southwester, all of Istanbul and dissolved oxygen in the Marmara Sea and Prof. Dr. Cemal Saydam South Marmara will be exposed to this smell causing eutrophication. With the excavation wastes, Hacettepe University, with northeaster. Marmara will be exposed Department of Environmental Engineering to this smell. This smell affects human The opening of the canal’s shores for a 38-kilometer filling area is health negatively; it is known that it reduces settlement has already been planned. This planned to be constructed the male reproductive system in a hereditary region cannot be prevented from attracting at on the Black Sea coasts. The Marmara Sea’s already poor structure way by 20-30 percent. least 2 million inhabitants. This development faces the danger of extinction due to is clearly a violation of the 16 million Coastal filling areas will external influences and interventions. The Canal Istanbul is not a project that you can maximum population limit that the Istanbul destroy the reproduction, amount of oxygen in the Marmara Sea say, “We made a mistake, let’s go back”. Even Metropolitan Municipality unanimously development and feeding does not allow living in a healthy way. In if you regret it, there is never going back. adopted and the 1 / 100,000 Environmental areas of many marine species. summary, the Marmara Sea is a “child with Therefore, this project should not happen. Plan, which is still in force, is envisaged for asthma” and has to live with it. the city. The structure of Canal Istanbul means the Due to the environmental More than 2 billion cubic meters of establishment of a permanent salt water excavation waste will emerge from the tank larger than 260 million cubic meters damage that will occur in canal construction. The current legal in the heart of Thrace. This permanent Sazlıdere and Küçükçekmece legislation explicitly prohibits the discharge structure will cause salinization of lakes, the Marmara Sea will of excavation wastes into the sea and also agricultural fields and groundwater in carrying out filling. In the project, it is directions, east and west, in the short and remain anaerobe and an planned to construct a 38-kilometer fill area long term. As a result, with Canal Istanbul, intense rotten egg smell will on the Black Sea coast with excavation waste, 140 million m² of agricultural land and 23 adversely affect both urban ignoring this prohibition. If this filling is million m²of forest area will be destroyed. Prof. Dr. Derin Orhon made, all the natural beauty and ecological life and human health. Near East University, Faculty of Construction values of the Black Sea coast will be destroyed It is necessary to provide the necessary and Environmental Engineering in an irreversible way. depth in the shallow region where Canal The Marmara Sea, where 2.2 cubic Under the Black Sea conditions, loose soil Istanbul is opened to Marmara and to kilometres of organic cargo is discharged filling contains a large risk of dissolution make a bottom sweeping in very important every year, is already unable to handle it. Despite the fact that almost all of the and moving. In this case, the ecological volumes for the marine structures. The EIA According to the project’s EIA Report, the scientists are working on the scientific data structure will take a serious blow on the Report does not describe any precautions for amount of additional water coming from about why Canal Istanbul should not be coastline of the Black Sea. Beyond that, the this sweeping waste containing very polluted the Black Sea is 21 cubic kilometres, and if done, the justification for the project has not dispersion, sedimentation and destruction of and active organic matter. The dispersion one tenth of this organic load it equals to 2.1 been explained convincingly yet. It will not natural type cover of the filling material to be of the active organic material swept to cubic kilometres. Also, it is obvious that this be possible for the vast majority of tankers transported from Canal Istanbul will create a Marmara means a danger that will destroy load will be much more if the stream will and cargo ships pass through the canal, major ecological hazard. the ecological structure in its entirety. The carry the organic material accumulated at of which water depth is reduced from 25 same danger exists for the clay mud at the the bottom of Sazlıdere and Küçükçekmece meters to 21 meters. Water basins of Istanbul are protected as base of Küçükçekmece Lake as well. The EIA lakes. Therefore, the number of 2.1 cubic per legal legislation. Canal Istanbul Project Report, like all other environmental hazards,

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 54 SESSIONS 55 chose to ignore this possibility. It is claimed that the new city to be due to the climate crisis, Istanbul water In the EIA Report, it was stated that 2.5 tons established with the Environmental Plan resources are expected to shrink by 30%. In of dust will be emitted per hour while the As a result, the canal project, which will be amendment will increase the amount of the EIA Report, there is a proposal to build excavation is being carried. However, dust discussed to be constructed in the north of green space per person in Istanbul by 2 a new dam to save 19 million m³ of water emissions from excavation are accepted Istanbul, will mean the collapse of nature. square meters. However, the canal area supplied from Sazlıdere Dam. However, it as “0”. However, this is erroneous and Therefore, we are really facing a vital choice already consists of natural areas. Creating is not clear when and how the dam will be emissions from transportation also need to between “canal or Istanbul”. grasslands by destroying natural ecosystems constructed. be calculated. If this calculation is made, does not mean increasing the amount of hourly dust emissions will at least double green space. Doğa (Nature Foundation) There are also lacks in the figures regarding up. The emissions to occur are higher than determined that 11 of the 305 important the flora information provided in the EIA the values given in the related regulations. natural areas in Turkey are located in Report. The number of plant species in Similarly, blasting calculations are also Istanbul and 10 of which is currently in the the area covered by the EIA is at least 700, incorrect. impact area of mega projects. not 399. There is a suggestion to move endemic and threatened species in the Some maps related to air quality modelling From the land use change project’s impact area in order to protect were used in the EIA Report without a them. However, such suggestions do not legend. However, air quality models are also caused by the canal, 700 ensure the protection of species. Similarly, incorrect. Emission factors used in dust thousand tons of CO2 (Carbon while the protection of some habitats (the emissions are incorrect. In the modelling Prof. Dr. Doğanay Tolunay dioxide) equivalent emission creek connecting Terkos Lake to the sea, phase during operation, ships passing Istanbul University, will occur, 4.4 million CO2 the reeds and marshy areas in the north through the canal were assessed as point Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Forest of Küçükçekmece Lake, etc.), which are pollutant sources. However, these should equivalent emission from important for living creatures, is included in be considered as linear sources. Emissions the new airport and the the fauna report, these suggestions were not from ship waiting areas are not modelled. Beyond that, the information contained in new bridge will occur. taken into consideration in the EIA Report. Likewise, pollution caused by airport traffic the EIA Report is full of contradictions and The number of air quality, soil, water and has not been taken into account. Despite errors. For example, even the impact area sediment sampling is insufficient in the this, emissions exceeded the limit values. of the project is not clearly specified. The Deforestation and land use changes are EIA Report. For example, PM10 and PM2.5 No proposal has been developed to reduce total land uses within the canal area 6,839 also the cause of global warming. Only 700 measurements were made only in one this pollution above the limit values. hectares in one table and 6,973 hectares in thousand tons of CO2 equivalent emission day. Air quality measurements should be another table. will be emitted from the land use change done for at least one year. Moreover, air Terkos Lake is under the canal’s impact area caused by the canal, and 4.4 million CO2 pollution measurements were made before and will be directly affected by excavation, The foundation of Istanbul Airport was laid equivalent emissions from the new airport the third airport became operational. Soil ship and aircraft traffic. However, in the EIA in 2014 and although it started to operate in and new bridge will occur. Therefore, samples were taken only from the surface. Report, the possible impacts of air pollution 2019, Istanbul Airport was not shown in the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from It is necessary to take soil samples at some on Terkos Lake water quality have not been satellite images included in the EIA Report. deforestation and land use changes were digging depth that will reach 150 meters evaluated since the canal’s impact area is With the changes made in the calculated incorrectly and incompletely in in some places, and to analyze all heavy kept very narrow. However, the pollution Environmental Plan in 2019, 36,453 hectares the EIA Report. metals and other toxic substances including that will occur is in high amounts and the of land will be opened for construction. asbestos. Samples taken from soil for air waters of Terkos Lake can be contaminated. Per capita water consumption is constantly pollution are extremely insufficient. We are facing a dangerous vicious circle. It was announced in the EIA Report that 201 increasing in Istanbul. Along with the The construction of the airport and third In vulnerable societies, climate change thousand trees will be cut down. However, loss of water, water consumption per bridge connection roads in the area is increases the frequency and severity this number does not include trees with a capita has reached 190 liters today. If the ongoing. Therefore, a cumulative impact of climatic disasters and exacerbates chest height (130 cm) and less than 8 cm population reaches 16.7 million and the assessment is required. However, the EIA ecosystem destruction. Ecosystem in diameter. When these are taken into water consumption per person including Report does not make this assessment either. destruction also increases disasters, reduces account, the number of trees to be cut the loss of water is 300 liters, the annual resilience and increases greenhouse gas reaches approximately 400 thousand. water demand of Istanbul will increase to There is only one question emissions. Increased disaster risk destroys 1.8 billion m³ and if the Melen Dam is not ecosystems and societies; deepens the 428 hectares of forest area will be cut constructed, the existing water resources we need to ask: “Economy or adverse effects of climate change. due to the canal, some of which is Terkos will not meet this amount. If the population ecology?” The answer I will give There is only one question we need to Sand Dune afforestation, which has been of Istanbul reaches 27 million and the is very clear: Of course, ecology, ask: “Economy or ecology?” The answer I in conservation forest status since 1961. water consumption per person is 300 liters will give is very clear: Of course, ecology Although conservation forests are the including loss of water, it is possible that because the economic costs of because the economic costs of nature highest nature protection category in our the annual water demand will increase nature destruction for economic destruction for economic value are much country, this situation has not been taken to 3 billion m³. Even if the Melen Dam is value are much higher. higher. into consideration in any way. built, this need will not be met. In addition,

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 56 SESSIONS 57 Bucharest Convention, Barcelona Convention, Canal and Yenişehir construction areas and 37% of the total basin area is located Bern Convention, Ramsar Convention, route is analyzed, it is seen that Sazlıdere in the project area. Taking into account the European Landscape Convention) should be Dam’s and its basin’s the water retention basin size, Canal Istanbul and Yenişehir taken into consideration. What I’d like to say capacity efficiency per m² is the highest. reserve construction area projects should be as a last word is: Every inch of soil, every drop Approximately 60% of the Sazlıdere Dam abandoned immediately. of water is very important. Let’s make a new catchment basin will be lost due to Canal start for nature and man. Istanbul Project. This rate corresponds to Currently, the population per hectare in Dr. Sedat Kalem approximately 8% of the water demand of the region is 51 people. However, when the World Wildlife Foundation(WWF) the European side. This is a rather important personnel and their families working at Turkey Protection Director value. Istanbul Airport are taken into consideration, it is understood that the population in the Underground water resources region is much higher than the specified Terrestrial and marine ecosystems and are in danger. It is stated in number. With the new projects, the biological diversity (habitats, species, and population of the region is estimated to reach genetic values) of Istanbul are important at the EIA Report that due to 1.6 million people. In this case, the demand national / international and intergenerational salty water leaking from the for water in the region will increase and the levels. canal, the groundwater source pollutants originating from the residential areas will put pressure on the catchment Canal Istanbul Project will be the largest Selahattin Beyaz may be adversely affected. areas of the basin. A tremendous and sudden engineering operation facing the nature TMMOB, Chamber of Environmental Engineers, population growth will cause irreversible of Istanbul to this date. The entire Çatalca Istanbul Branch As stated in the DSI(State Hydraulic Works) destruction of water basins. Underground Peninsula will turn into a construction site. report, the Sazlıdere Dam, which has a cost water resources are also in danger. It is stated In order to conduct such a great intervention of approximately 2,250,000,000 TL, will be in the EIA Report that due to salty water in a healthy way, the components of the When we evaluate the Istanbul Airport, completely deactivated. In this case, the leaking from the canal, the groundwater terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their Yenişehir and Canal Istanbul Projects as a Sazlıdere-İkitelli system, which currently source may be adversely affected. In State particular dynamics should be carefully whole, the President of the Water and Waste meets the water demand of 5 million Hydraulic Works’ report, the definition that studied and that study has to be supported by Water Commission, I can say we are faced inhabitants of Istanbul, will be disabled. “in case that there salty water discharge to reliable data. with an unforeseen size and irreversible While water bodies of a city of which there the aquifers along the route, in addition to ecological destruction. This project should is the risk of dehydration on agenda at any the risk of pollution of aquifers, the risk of In such situations, where complexities and be completely abandoned even when solely time, it is not acceptable to deactivate these acceleration of aquifer discharge and water uncertainties are high, values conflict, and its impact on water resources is taken into water bodies as there is the expectation of drilling wells in close surrounding belonging losses can reach to catastrophic dimension, account. improvement of them. to persons and organizations will be affected, the precautionary principle is vital. The as such a risk might arise.”. In summary, the decision process on such a subject, which Istanbul may face a major Istanbul Airport is completed in an Thracian groundwater outside the project has multi-dimensional (physical, ecological, irreversible way and opened for operation. area will also be negatively affected. socio-economic, political, legal) effects, disaster with the destruction of Pollutant pressure of the airport to Terkos should be open to the public and pay important water resources such Lake water source and Terkos Lake catchment The tunnel structures, which are foreseen attention to science. The process related as Terkos and Sazlıdere, which basin should be monitored and this water to be one of the first structures to be built to the Canal Istanbul Project, which is not source should be protected through taking during the project, are of vital importance included in any plan related to Istanbul, meet 29% of its water needs. precautions by all means. Considering the for ISKI to continue its water transmission is not transparent; the project should be damage that canal project can cause to Terkos function. Therefore, many impacts will occur publicly negotiable. The classical EIA In the 2009 Environmental Plan regarding Lake, Terkos and Sazlıdere, which meet 29% in the construction phases of the project, approach is insufficient. The EIA should Yenişehir construction area, it is stated that of Istanbul’s water demand, there might such as water shortages in the city, halting be done with a neutral eye, with the logic “the development of the city, which shows be a major disaster. This rate corresponds of infrastructure services and disruption of questioning the project. The current EIA tendency to the north, should be prevented, to the water demand of approximately 6 of traffic services which will decrease the Report is far from meeting these conditions. and that multi-centred and vault development million people. Basin areas of Istanbul, which quality of life. should be ensured on the east-west axis receives an average of 3 billion cubic meters Another important point that I would like to and along the Marmara Sea”. With the new of precipitation annually, and the city’s water Known as Canal Istanbul, the waterway is a emphasize is that it is not enough to solely plan amendment, the development axis is management planning should be re-made project that does not rely on any technical address Canal Istanbul Project. It should be determined as the north-south axis, while the accordingly. The construction approach basis, but only increases the market value addressed together with major projects such water basins, agricultural areas and forest of the city in north-south direction, which of the Yenişehir construction area. The as North Marmara Motorway and Istanbul areas of the city are opened for construction. has become well evident with the Yenişehir Chamber of Environmental Engineers Airport as a whole. Apart from Montreux, reserve construction area project, should Istanbul Branch will take place on the labour, seven internationally binding conventions When the basin annual yield of the be abandoned. 46% of the urban area with nature and science front against unscientific (UN Biological Diversity, UN Climate Change, Terkos Lake and Sazlıdere Dam on the a total area of 5461 km² is water basin area ecological destruction projects. ■

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 58 SESSIONS 59 Summary

In the session “Environmental Dimension, Water and Ecology” moderated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of Department of Parks, Gardens and Green Areas Prof. Dr.Yasin Çağatay Seçkin, the emphasized statement is “Marmara sea and its coast are under risk.” Other emphasized points are the following:

▶ The natural flow balance of the strait will be disturbed.

▶ Since the contrasting features between the seas are unique to this region, there is a severe risk of contamination with the project.

▶ Human health will be adversely affected.

▶ Biodiversity will be negatively affected.

▶ Amount of nitrate and phosphate will increase; oxygen level in the sea will decrease.

▶ Greenhouse gas will increase, pollution will occur and human health will be adversely affected.

▶ Agriculture, pasture, forest areas and drinking water basins will be adversely affected.

▶ The project will cause irreversible ecological destruction.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 60 SESSIONS 61 of the agricultural products (especially 1.4 vegetables and fruits) produced in this region are consumed by the local people. In Social Dimension Küçükçekmece Region; located in the south of the project area, mostly workers’ families and Participation are working in the organized industrial zone. Therefore, expropriation in these Assoc.Prof.Dr Ayfer Bartu Candan regions means destroying the livelihoods of Bosphorus University, people living in the region and destroying Department of Sociology their livelihood methods.

It is stated in the report that the only In the session “Social Dimension and I think it is very important to create business line specified for job creation is Participation” moderated by Istanbul opportunities for discussion in the public the opportunities in the construction sector Metropolitan Municipality, Head of sphere of the Canal Istanbul Project, which that will occur for a certain period during Department of Cultural Assets, Mahir Polat, will affect the geography of the city and the construction of the canal. Although this a detailed evaluation is made regarding many developments simultaneously. The is a periodic job, farmers living here will canal’s impact on social and moral values. ecological, economic and legal aspects not be able to work in construction. of the project are discussed extensively through of the EIA Report, but it is not possible to say the same for the social and Expropriation means sociological impacts it will create. destroying the livelihoods of people living in the The Social Impact Assessment report, which is prepared as an annex to the region and destroying their EIA Report, allows for examination of livelihood methods. the negative impacts of the project on issues such as employment structure, Due to the foreseen unemployment, it can population movements, social vulnerability, be predicted that the people of the region community health and safety. The first will have no choice but to migrate, and will thing to be highlighted concerning the have to settle in other regions (eg Tekirdağ Social Impact Assessment Report is that it is and its surroundings) to make a livelihood present in international legislation but not just like in the Slum Transformation Areas. in national legislation. Failure to address this shortcoming makes the evaluation The most important issue is to be addressed of the report in terms of its social is the urban poverty that prevails in the consequences even more important. region. If agricultural land is taken from the hands of a social group that consumes The Canal Istanbul Project covers six 80% of its agricultural product, it is districts, but it will also affect many inevitable that a massive poverty will arise. districts in its hinterland. A very important The negative social impacts of the Canal part of the project area covers agriculture Istanbul Project will be much stronger and and forest areas. Therefore, there is a more visible in this region where social possibility of social consequences similar vulnerability is high for many economic to those experienced in the regions and sociological reasons. where urban transformation projects are conducted. As stated in the Social Impact Assessment Report, excavation works and traffic density There is no homogeneous population in that will form during the construction will the project area in terms of class structure, affect the public health in a physical and economic structure, educational structure psychological way. On the other hand, the and employment opportunities. We report states that the only positive impact observe a low income population with of the canal project is the short-term a predominantly agricultural income in employment opportunities that will occur the district and north of Arnavutköy. 80% in the construction industry.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 62 SESSIONS 63 is not suitable for construction, this rate If the regional conditions are taken into is not surprising. In this context, it is account, the report identifies possible possible to say that those who consider problems, but provides only a list of few taking earthquake precautions as a priority wishes instead of the solutions. over the construction of the canal project constitute 80% of the society. Whether The Canal Istanbul Project will render the such a great intervention in nature can be poor people residing in the region unable carried out with an institution, a person or Prof. Dr. İhsan Bilgin Prof. Dr. Murat Cemal Yalçıntan to live in this city. If there is any intention a parliament without asking the people of İstanbul Bilgi University, MSGSU, Department of Urban and to ensure social justice for the poor people Istanbul should be discussed extensively. Faculty of Architecture Regional Planning residing in the city, it is necessary to avoid Every investment in Istanbul harms all mega projects, especially Canal Istanbul. Istanbul, but investing outside Istanbul does not seem very meaningful today. We are facing a world agenda oriented by Canal Istanbul Project was brought to the Overcoming this paradox is critical for the the concept of “rent”(unearned). Economic agenda, in a way that participation process future of Istanbul. benefit and profit should in no way be is neglected and without considering its more important than “lifeworld”. In this social dimension. There are two important Those who consider Canal context, the alternative of the earth being reasons why the canal project is not an instrument of rent under the climate legitimate. The first is that the public, Istanbul Project is necessary crisis conditions, is to adapt a living including the EIA Report, is not adequately and fruitful are less than practice which we can express with the informed and not being transparent. a third of the society, but concept of Lebenswelt “(life-world”) which The other is that the project does not young people between is based on phenomenology and is inspired have a justification based on sound and by Christian Norberg-Schulz’s studies. It convincing evidence. Bekir Ağırdır the ages of 15-30 is possible to define this practice as the KONDA Research and Consultancy 98% think that taking design of world being a “place” entwisted by It is rather important not to General Director earthquake measures the experience of life in the simplest terms. leave Istanbul Metropolitan is a priority. Canal Istanbul Project has been presented Municipality alone in the fight As we discuss Canal Istanbul Project these as a project to transform “lifeworld” within against the canal. NGOs, days, the society in Turkey has a much The citizens of Turkey need deliberation, its borders into rent, let alone coming up scientists and professional more different important agenda. People not polarization. In our country, people do with capacity to produce “lifeworld” per se, chambers, who have been in our country increasingly indicate that need to heavily express what they are in and it is advocated in this way. On the other they are extremely worried about their favour, not what they are against. In our hand, it is frequently stated that funds silenced with various individual lives. A significant reason for country, people need to consistently state circulating in the global financial system pressure should step in. this concern is the rising unemployment what they are in favor, not what they are and investment alternatives do not grant figures. against. Therefore, the only benefit of this Canal Istanbul Project a chance as a means In the project development processes, project, which is intended to be imposed on of creating rent. This possibility should be first and foremost, a consensus should be Up-to-date surveys we conducted as KONDA the society, is the opportunity to deliberate considered important in terms of the fact reached on the justifications of the project, show that 60% of citizens in Turkey fear and accordingly change our lives. that it can put Turkey’s economy in the risk no information should be kept from the both about their own future and the future of a new crisis. The most important effect public, and seeking consensus should be of their country. 76% of the society thinks of Canal Istanbul Project in terms of social created through the use of participatory that both the conditions in the country and benefit has been the encouragement of the application tools by creating deliberative their conditions will be worse than today in opposition block to have a solidarity based discussion atmosphere. the next quarter. on “life-world”. Finally, I would like to draw your attention Those who reckon that Canal Istanbul to an important point. There is no Project is necessary and fruitful are less statement in the EIA Report and in the than a third of the society, however 98% government’s statements that the city’s of the youth between the ages of 15-30 new wealthy people will not be brought to think that taking earthquake measures the project area and the poor will not be is a priority over Canal Istanbul Project. displaced from there. ■ Considering that there are 8.5 million applications for zoning amnesty and when this figure is taken into account that shows that one out of every 4 buildings

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 64 SESSIONS 65 Summary

The most emphasized statement in the Social Dimension and Participation session under the moderation of Mahir Polat, the head of the IMM Cultural Heritage Department, was that “a participatory process cannot be found in the project”. Other important findings in the session are as follows:

▶ The social dimension of the project has been ignored.

▶ The project will lead to the disappearance of agricultural employment, where a large part of the population is living in the area and earning their livelihood from the agricultural areas here.

▶ Mega projects such as Canal Istanbul are likely to transform the socio-economic structure and cause the people of the region to migrate.

▶ The new employment opportunities mentioned in the project are temporary.

▶ The current urban poverty will deepen.

▶ Farmers, fishermen and women, the most disadvantaged groups in the population are living in the project area in terms of social vulnerability

▶ Canal Istanbul Project will be extremely adversely affected.

▶ Endorsing social struggle and new municipal policies in this process are promising.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 66 SESSIONS 67

Session 2

Session 2.1 Session 2.2 Session 2.3 Session 2.4

Legal Framework and Security Disaster Risk and Seismicity Spatial Planning, Urban Development Environmental Dimension: and Cultural Heritage Agriculture, Climate and Ecology

Moderator: Moderator: Moderator: Moderator:

Eren Sönmez Dr. Tayfun Kahraman Dr. Mehmet Çakılcıoğlu Ahmet Atalık Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, İBB,Head of Earthquake Risk Management Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, 1st Legal Adviser and Urban Development Department Deputy General Secretary Head of Neighbourhood Units and Food

Speakers: Speakers: Speakers: Speakers:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Zeynep Pirim Prof. Dr. Haluk Eyidoğan Prof. Dr. Azime Tezer Prof. Dr. Doğan Kantarcı Galatasaray University, İTÜ, Retired Lecturer, İTÜ, Department of Urban and İstanbul University Retired Lecturer Faculty of Law Department of Geophysics Engineering Regional Planning Department of Soil Sciences and Ecology

Mehmet Durakoğlu Prof. Dr. Murat Balamir Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Tarık Şengül Murat Kapıkıran Chairman of Executive Board of METU Retired Lecturer METU, Lecturer - Department of Political TMMOB Chamber of Agricultural Engineers Istanbul Bar Association Department of Urban and Regional Planning Science and Public Administration Head of Istanbul Branch

Dr. Rıza Türmen Prof. Dr. Naci Görür Prof. Dr. İclal Dinçer Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş Lawyer, Ambassador İTÜ, Retired Lecturer, Department of ICOMOS Turkey National Committee Head, Bosphorus University, Geophysics Engineering Academy of Lecturer - YTÜ Department of Urban and Climate Change and Policies Saim Oğuzülgen Science, Founding Member Regional Planning Implementation and Research Center Retired Maritime Pilot Nusret Suna Mücella Yapıcı Dr. Ümit Şahin Türker Ertürk TMMOB Chamber of Civil Engineers TMMOB, Chamber of Architects Sabancı University Retired Rear Admiral İstanbul Head of Branch İstanbul Branch Climate Studies Coordinator

Dr. M. Sinan Genim Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevim Budak Architect Istanbul University, Department Public Administration and Yiğit Ozar Political Sciences Association of Archaeologists İstanbul Branch, Chairman of Executive Board

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 68 SESSIONS 69 convention that can easily be terminated 2.1 unilaterally. Despite the Montreux Convention envisages a full freedom of Legal Framework passage through the straits of trading ships, imposition of passage of certain vessels and Security by Turkey can cause parties to terminate the convention. It is also possible for Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Zeynep Pirim contracting states to deem the opening of Galatasaray University, Faculty of Law Canal Istanbul as a substantial amendment to the conditions that were present in the time of Montreux Convention signature In the session, “Legal Framework and The main justification for Canal Istanbul and they might demand the termination Security” moderated by 1st Legal Adviser Project is expressed as decreasing the of the convention within this framework. Eren Sönmez, Canal Istanbul Project is traffic on Bosphorus and securing the . In short, it is not possible for the project addressed in terms of international law and overall transportation. Yet, it is clear that not to bring the Montreux Convention into security. the dimension of international law has discussion. not been examined enough. We are facing a Project that would bear significant The Convention stipulates that, if ramifications on Montreux Convention or terminated, the freedom to cross the straits even end it altogether, when undertaken. will continue indefinitely. In such a case, Thus, I would like to start with basic it is possible for Turkey to establish a new provisions of Montreux Convention. passage regime specific to itself; however Establishing a crossing regime specific to whether the new regime is in the interest of Turkish straits and adopting free passage our country will be determined by political for merchant ships and the importance conjuncture. of Montreux Convention lies at the balance that it sets up between Black Sea Implementation of the Project countries, Turkey and other countries. The Convention vests Turkey with much more named Canal Istanbul might rights and authorities than the crossing trigger the termination of regimes that International Maritime Law Montreux Convention. entitles the countries of straits. It leaves the discretion of allowing the warships In case of the termination of Montreux to pass through the straits to Turkey and Convention is terminated and the fact vests Turkey with the authority to shut the that new specific transition regime is not straits down during the war time. It also established, transit passage regime shall adjudicates that the warships of non-Black be imposed on Turkey although there Sea countries cannot stay in Black Sea more are different opinions among the lawyers than 21 days even during the peacetime. regarding as which passage system to be implemented. In such a case, there will be The construction of the Canal will not the right of passage in terms of warplanes violate the Montreux Convention in itself and submarines and Turkey shall lose the and Turkey will be able to regulate the authority to close down the straits even in passage through the Canal at national level. the time of war. However, the Canal Istanbul Project will bear many problems for the passage of both If we are to summarize in one sentence, merchant ships and warships. For example, Canal Istanbul Project poses a severe threat it is yet unclear which legal regime is going for Turkey’s security and Turkey should not to be used for both merchant ships and assume this risk and should avoid all the warships that use Canal Istanbul, when actions that may lead to the termination of they navigate in Marmara Sea and through Montreux Convention. the Dardanelles. Once put into practice the Canal Istanbul Project may trigger the termination of Montreux Convention. Because the Montreux Convention is a

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 70 SESSIONS 71 implemented if the canal is constructed First and foremost, the Bosphorus and last but not the least that Turkey cannot is equipped with the highest level of force the ships to go through the canal safety owing to the to measures such as instead of the Bosphorus. These three navigation, property, environmental and opinions of both parties well explain as to maritime safety, and Bosporus being subject why the canal cannot be constructed. to one-direction passage in maritime traffic is essential in maritime traffic, the Atty. Mehmet Durakoğlu Dr. Rıza Türmen More importantly, as the passage of ships prohibition of passage of tankers above Chairman of Executive Board of Istanbul Bar Lawyer, Ambassador through Bosphorus is free and cheap; it 200 meters during the night in aftermath Association cannot be explained why and how ships will of Nassia tanker accident, common pass through the canal by paying five times implementation of employment of maritime One cannot observe any example of opening more and extending the passage duration. pilots and towboats escort services in large Bringing Montreux Convention into a new canal while there is a natural strait Russia, which predominantly determines its vessels carrying dangerous cargo. discussion through Canal Istanbul Project parallel to it. Sovereign rights of Turkish attitude according to energy policies, does On the other hand, the passage through is unfavourable in itself. Turkey has never Republic are integrated to Montreux not react to the Canal Istanbul Project for Canal Istanbul, which is narrower and abused the right of sovereignty so far and Convention. It is impossible for Canal the time being, however if the passage fees shallower than the Bosphorus, will be much played a important role in keeping Black Istanbul Project not to bring discussions do increase and Russian ships have to prefer more dangerous compared to the Bosphorus Sea as a sea of peace. This should continue regarding Montreux Convention. If Montreux the Baltic Sea, Russia will certainly not be due to the higher flow. as it is from there on as well. Convention is terminated, implementation satisfied with the project. of transit passage system will become The passage through Canal On the other hand, Canal Istanbul Project is inevitable and transit passage regime does It is necessary to constantly emphasize two a crime against the city and sometimes it is not recognize any authority to coastal states. issues regarding Canal Istanbul Project. The Istanbul, which is narrower and possible to commit the crimes by law. right to a healthy environment in article shallower than the Bosphorus, As a lawyer, it is our duty to explain that this The attitude of Russia taking Black Sea as 56 of the Constitution and the principle will be much more dangerous project is a crime; urban rights have been a closed sea is indeed quite stable. Russia of public benefit in article 43 of the compared to the Bosphorus violated and should be abandoned. attaches utmost importance to entitle the Constitution are clearly defined. There is a But there is also a very pleasing situation. It right of freedom of passage to coastal states close correlation between these two articles. due to the higher flow. is the first time that those who run the city of the Black Sea and ensure the limitations What kind of public interest will be derived are strongly against a crime against the city. to be imposed to the non-coastal states of from the expropriation has to be stated. One Within the framework of the Montreux City rulers are trying to tell the government Black Sea concerning the vessels of war. can regard public loss rather than public Convention, the freedom of passage of something by taking the people behind Regarding Black Sea as a closed sea will turn benefit in this very project. As a result, it is commercial ships through the Turkish Straits them, which is very valuable. The waiting this sea into a region of Russian influence. It not explained with convincing justifications is conducted with the safety measures to of the people of Istanbul until the morning is possible that all these demands will be put as to which justifications are in question for be implemented and determined by the to object to the EIA Report shows that the on the table in case of Montreux Convention the construction of Canal Istanbul. Republic of Turkey. The Republic of Turkey society has taken the right to the city with being terminated. It is obvious that USA has been exercising this authority since July urban consciousness as much as possible. and Europe would want that there could be 20, 1936. For twenty-five years, there has transit passage regime that is valid for all not been any accident in the Bosphorus that I would especially like to underline the the international straits to be valid for straits caused human death and environmental following point: The Amendment of the ofTurkey instead of Montreux Convention. disaster. This does not mean that it will Environmental Plan clearly violates article not happen, yet the important thing is to 56 of the Constitution. As the Istanbul Bar As the passage of ships reduce the likelihood of an accident, and Association, we will continue to be a bar take measures to minimize losses in possible association that protects the city. through Bosphorus is free and accidents. While it is possible to solve cheap; it cannot be explained this problem with a few additional safety why and how ships will pass measures (Istanbul, emergency response Saim Oğuzülgen agency, tugboats stations etc.) that will have through the canal by paying Retired Maritime Pilot little cost to our country, it is quite wrong to five times more and extending search for solutions with a project like Canal the passage duration. Istanbul with high cost-full of negativities The most important justification for the and can bear disasters as a consequence. Those in favour and against the Canal Canal Istanbul Project is to reduce the When the weather and sea conditions in the Istanbul Project have consensus on three danger in the Bosphorus. However, it is Black Sea become severe, the ships want to points. First of them is how important is necessary to discuss how dangerous the enter the Bosphorus as soon as possible and the Montreux Convention, second is the Bosphorus is indeed and whether Canal receive guidance service upon entry. How fact that Montreux Convention cannot be Istanbul is less dangerous or not. can similar ships enter the Canal Istanbul

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 72 SESSIONS 73 from the north when the weather and sea enter on free terms and with its all elements conditions in the Black Sea get worse, or among all the seas covers three quarters of how will they receive guidance from outside the world. The USA, which is a global power the port in bad weather conditions? These and controls the world maritime trade, would questions must be answered by all means. For very much like the implementation of transit the reasons I explained above, construction passage regime brought by III.Conference of Canal Istanbul on the grounds of reducing on the Law of the Sea and endeavours to the danger in the Bosphorus will result in the convince Turkish politicians with various transfer of the greater danger of same kind to manners in line with these geopolitical Canal Istanbul, although it is not believable objectives. As long as Montreux stands, it is as it is. impossible to have their 11 aircraft carriers, each weighing 100 thousand tons and submarines with nuclear warheaded missiles in the Black Sea.

In the Cold War era (1947-1990), Turkey did not allow the Black Sea to become an area of competition and conflict among pacts and great powers although Turkey was a member of NATO. This was possible thanks to Montreux Convention. If it is not for Türker ERTÜRK Montreux Convention, the Black Sea would Retired Rear Admiral become a sea of conflict and competition. Turkey will be damaged by such a situation to a great extent. Therefore, it is necessary to In order for something to be a project, it must own up to Montreux Convention and it should solve an issue or a problem. Turkey’s attempt not be brought to the discussion. of Canal Istanbul, let alone solving a problem of Marmara Region, Istanbul or Turkey, it None of the justifications that the government creates a threat to sovereignity, security and has stated concerning Canal Istanbul are defense issues. It irreversibly kills the nature, true. It would be funny to say that for the ecological balance, water resources and Bosphorus, the narrowest part of which is 700 urban structure of Istanbul. In other words, meters and the widest part is 4300 meters, it is an initiative that creates thousands an alternative has been created in terms of of problems, not solves them per se. This navigational safety by constructing a canal of initiative is a monstrosity in every aspect. 275 meters width.

It would be funny to say that for Nobody will pass through and you cannot force anyone. In addition to this, ship traffic the Bosphorus, the narrowest in the Bosphorus has been on decline part of which is 700 meters significantly due to the pipelines. The number and the widest part is 4300 of accidents has also decreased significantly as well. The last huge accident in the meters, an alternative has been Bosphorus took place 26 years ago. Turkish created in terms of navigational Straits are privileged among all the straits safety by constructing a in the world. This privilege is thanks to the Montreux Convention. Transit passage regime canal of 275 meters width. is applied in all straits of the world and nobody pays for it. If Montreux Convention is The USA and the UK have always been opened for discussion and hence amended, disturbed by the Montreux Convention and this privileged situation in favour of Turkey asked for it to be amended. The USA, which will change and transit passage system will be has the strongest navy, wishes to discuss and implemented. We will not be able to receive amend the Montreux Convention, since the any money, and our sovereignty and security Black Sea is the only sea that the USA cannot will be threatened very severely. ■

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 74 SESSIONS 75 Summary

In the session, “Legal Framework and Security” moderated by 1st Legal Adviser Mr. Eren Sönmez, all of the speakers emphasized the following points:

▶ Montreux Convention ensured the security of Turkey and bringing it into discussion is risky for Turkey.

▶ Canal Istanbul Project might cause Montreux Convention to be opened for discussion as well as termination of the Convention.

▶ Traffic on Bosphorus is inconsistent due to justifications such as passage safety and economic income.

▶ Passage through the canal bears more risks than passage through the strait and it cannot be imposed as obligatory in legal terms.

▶ There has not been an example of constructing of a canal as an alternative to strait in any corner of the world.

▶ This very Project will serve for the geopolitical objectives of the USA.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 76 SESSIONS 77 the sea floor can also move without an 2.2 earthquake. This situation increases the probability of tsunami. It is predicted that Disaster Risk and the water level in Küçükçekmece Lake, where the lagoon at its entrance will be Seismicity destroyed with an earthquake-induced tsunami, will increase up to 3.5 meters and Prof. Dr. Haluk Eyidoğan that the water level will reach 10 meters in İTÜ, Retired Lecturer, the sea bottom landslide. Department of Geophysics Engineering Scientific studies indicate that the probability of an Canal Istanbul is wanted to be built despite Head of Earthquake Risk Management and earthquake-borne hazards that may occur earthquake with a severity of 7 Urban Development Mr. Tayfun Kahraman during and after construction, and ground or more over the next 30 years stated that they called the experts in their stability problems such as landslide and is 65%. In addition, this risk respective professions in order to discuss liquefaction. In the last 1987 years 37 Canal Istanbul Project, and that they put tsunamis took place in Marmara and not any increases by 2.5% each year. forward their efforts to invite everyone of the tsunami information is included in without any discrimination; however the the EIA Report. There are three active faults It has been calculated that approximately scientists supporting the project did not in the project area and these are secondary 11 tons of dynamite will be detonated attend the workshop. In the session, faults. This information is also not with a single shot every day, and that impacts of Canal Istanbul in terms of included in the report. There is no further a dynamite shot of this magnitude can disaster risk and seismicity are addressed. information regarding the faults of which generate earthquake equivalent energy of drawings are included in the report, it is just 3.8 magnitudes as seismic energy. These drawing. Despite all these risks involved, blasting works will take at least 4 years. we do confront with a rather unreasonable In such a region where the earthquake project considering the more population and and its effects are so visible and where construction accumulation in the city built the risks of loss of life and property will around the canal and the risks that it will be enormous according to official data, cause. priority should be given to preparing Istanbul for an earthquake and mitigation Scientific studies indicate that the of risks. It cannot be understood what probability of an earthquake with a function a project like this canal will have magnitude of 7 or more over the next 30 been in Istanbul, which is confronting a years is 65%. In addition to this, this very major earthquake risk. risk increases by 2.5% each year. A tsunami that may arise during the earthquake poses a separate and significant danger. It is stated in the EIA report of the project that there are severe earthquake effects and tsunami risk.

As a result of geophysical and geodetic studies carried out in and around Küçükçekmece Lake in 2014 and 2016, an active fault was found that crosses the lake in the north-south direction and moves 5 millimetres per year. In addition, in Prof. Dr. Murat Balamir geological, geophysical and geotechnical METU Retired Lecturer studies conducted along the canal route, Department of Urban and Regional Planning faults were detected in 28 sections however the properties of these faults were not interpreted. There is a certain need to examine the Canal Istanbul proposal in two fundamental The ground in huge landslide areas on aspects with its planner view. This project

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 78 SESSIONS 79 ignores the great earthquake hazard that show risk reduction opportunities through knowledge bank on the subject and firstly determined according to the densities and threatens Istanbul. Secondly, it is beyond planned arrangements and measures and completes the “capacity analysis” studies to construction types, these general design the rational attitude and scientific approach displacements that each new large-scale determine the project area boundaries and works would have been completed with an to examine an investment initiative of this physical development can take. Canal its scale. At this stage another research to iterative planning process. scope and scale only with a limited EIA Istanbul project does not manifest such be applied should be long-term “social and research and to disprove the project with an a thought and prudent approach to this technological developments analysis.” This Design works at the lower level require arbitrary method and transparency that is end, but imposes a foreign and unfair research aims to determine to what extent methods of obtaining projects through not rather certain. physical arrangement on the macro form the project will remain valid in the future. urban and architectural competitions of Istanbul.However, within the scope of an A “cost-benefit analysis” should have on the scales of the region, block and With the resources to be investment of this scale, precautions can be been the most comprehensive study that parcel. In these arrangements, principles, consumed for Canal Istanbul, taken against risks, the risks of destruction examined the validity of the project. standard and type designs related to green and loss of life related to the Istanbul Options should be determined, all networking and how the open space system the risks of destruction and earthquake can be reduced by large economic and social values should be meets construction will be developed. For loss of life related to the resources for Canal Istanbul, and Istanbul calculated, EIA study should have been a this purpose, directives and regulations Istanbul earthquake can be can be established as a special example on subdivision study under this umbrella. In regarding the operational process will be a world scale by gaining a safe mega-city this context, “threshold analysis” evaluating brought to the agenda so as to complete the reduced to a large extent, and identity against the earthquake. the points and times of the investment design works. Istanbul can be established scale, and “coordination analysis” as a special example on a The irrational discrepancies presented examining the input-output and timings of The public interest-seeking approach will by the research processes and decision- the activities should have been conducted. have referred to the special methods to global scale by gaining a making methods regarding the Canal In addition to these, the location and timing ensure that the values and rent created by secure mega-city identity in Istanbul proposal are the subject of a of investments and physical applications the project remain in the public hands. The the face of the earthquake. second examination in terms of planning. should be determined by “non-returnability expropriation method applied during the In societies that adopt a life style faithful analysis” and the task of “unexpected establishment of the Australian capital in to civilized, democratic and scientific conditions and risk analysis” should have the 1950s is an early example of this. In this After the Marmara Earthquake (1999), no methods at this scale, comparing with the been fulfilled. However, following all the way of implementation, the areas envisaged systematic efforts were conducted for the activities in terms of content and formality aforementioned processes, “likelihood and in the first stage have been expropriated necessary risk management in Istanbul, provides an opportunity to reveal what we feasibility” evaluations can be carried out. and the parcels defined following the and initiatives that increased risks in are deprived of. After these general evaluations, it is time plan have been subject to 99 years of many respects were carried out in an to go into the details of spatial plans, first construction and usage rights by the unsupervised manner. Open areas have It is a pioneering planning process that of all, a consensus should be reached on tendering method. At the end of this period, been lost due to over-settlement and the such a project idea is born, defined, and a “spatial strategy plan” and document. At administrations retained the right to renew risk mitigation target has been deviated supported in this scale. It is expected this stage, considering the earthquake and contracts, to bid again, or to expropriate by improper transformation attempts. that a strategically important project idea climate change conditions; morphology, structures and facilities constructed by the Within the scope of precautions to be taken should be born in a planning or security surface drainage, ground properties, private sector. against earthquake hazard, mitigation of institution or in a think-tank, not by a micro-basins and infrastructure systems the risks arising from the spatial relations single person. The idea is then submitted compatibility, infrastructure network In the example of Canal Istanbul, instead structure, which is at least as important to senior management and maybe through centres, stations and main distribution of letting the rent go into private hands, as building safety, necessitates direct establishment of expert group, opinions system are then located. Thus, the macro if the value is aimed to remain in the physical planning studies. Within the are taken from the senior management form of the spatial plan, general settlement public hands and to prevent speculative scope of Istanbul Earthquake Master Plan organ, and it is evaluated by the related principles and the zone use program, activities, the immovables in the private (IDMP, 2003), there are spatial risks that professional organization, and perhaps a zoning, densities, social profiles are property is expropriated and opened for we had the opportunity to examine, such partial referendum can be applied. determined. reconstruction. However, the ownership of as emergency hospital services lacking In the case that positive opinions are the immovable property and the long-term according to their location, the risks posed developed, planning works require Following the spatial preliminary use rights provided in the plan are granted, by the industrial units that store hazardous the establishment of a special “Project determinations, special usage areas such thus the expropriation costs are ensured materials, and the insufficiency of the Management Commission” in the second as the locations of the main public service to remain at low levels. This value can infrastructure distribution system. In stage and the allocation of its special units such as hospital, school, security, be approximated to zero by granting the addition, measures to be taken regarding budget. The commission would prepare and transportation, car parks, communication, rentals, taxes and some exemptions of the the possibility of losses in areas that may have its own directive approved, assume culture, industrial area, commercial and expropriated lands. be exposed to special hazards such as the responsibility of the coordination of city centre areas, entertainment centre, landslides, liquefaction, flooding, and all planning, design, technical studies, campuses, and logistics uses would have After the period, re-lease and use rights tsunamis were investigated. Likewise, vis- finance and external service purchases, been defined. In addition, the “green can be recognized or, if deemed necessary à-vis presence of countless risks posed by and carry out the studies transparently. The network” that constitutes the open by the operator, constructions and private the spatial relations and neighbourhood Commission establishes a comprehensive spaces system, residential areas would be investments can be expropriated by a

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 80 SESSIONS 81 “Canal-City Commission” to be established. route, scientific studies have found out to the Black Sea. It should be envisaged It is also possible to develop rental housing that there are faults related to the main that engineering structures built on such stock and urban facilities under the earthquake fault in the continental shelf off floors may be subject to great damages operation of the Canal-City Commission. the coast of Küçükçekmece. Some of these during the earthquake. Here during the faults are active and at least 3-6 kilometres motion of seismic waves, soil amplifications, The main drawbacks of the Canal Istanbul deep. This means that the place where the liquefaction, mass movements, collapses proposal are the following: technical canal connects to Marmara has been broken and settlements that may occur, can damage difficulties, environmental slaughter, unfair and fragmented to a certain extent by faults. the canal. Nusret Suna value distribution model, being away from In other words, this is a zone of vulnerability. TMMOB İnşaat Mühendisleri Odası physical planning methods and attempting If this zone is subjected to an earthquake The passage route of the canal is located in İstanbul Şube Başkanı to carry out this process in a non- of at least magnitude of 9, this area, which an area rich in groundwater aquifers. The transparent manner. The execution of a has already been weakened, can cause great canal will operate as a kind of drainage project of this scale with a process of public damage to the canal until Küçükçekmece system and the aquifer waters will be It is very tiresome to talk about such a interest, and the definition of its scope lagoon. If the construction of the canal is discharged into the canal. As a result, the flippant project like Canal Istanbul and to and method, present that this proposal decided by all means, the continental shelf area for which the canal is planned to be explain to the competent authorities why it constitutes such a distant attitude far from off Küçükçekmece should absolutely be constructed will be salted over time. should not be conducted. the rational of planning. examined geologically and geo-physically before excavation starts. The probable The canal project is not a random The title of the project’s EIA Report is as impacts of these faults under the sea on engineering project, but a project that can follows: “Canal Istanbul Project (including the canal should be diligently investigated. change the entire ecosystem in the region. It Coastal Structures [Yacht Ports, Container Present data as of today are not adequate to is a very sensitive and risky project. In this Ports and Logistic Centres], Sea Area make decisions. respect, all risks should be considered. Due Recovery, Bottom Sweep and Concrete to this feature, it can be extremely expensive Plants). As can be understood from this The part of the canal, engineering structure. Feasibility study title, this project is the project of making should be done accordingly. the region a construction site of the especially between construction sector as a whole, together Küçükçekmece and Marmara, The canal project is not a random with the third bridge, the third airport and is the weakest link in the engineering project, but a project that can the Çanakkale Bridge. Canal Istanbul is not Prof. Dr. Naci Görür change the entire ecosystem in the region. a waterway project. İİTÜ, Retired Lecturer, Department of chain and will be affected by It is a very sensitive and risky project. In Geophysics Engineering Academy of at least 9 magnitude from this respect, all risks should be taken into While it is declared by the government that Science, Founding Member the expected earthquake. account. It is an engineering structure 1 million residences in Istanbul are not that can be extremely expensive due to safe and approximately 10 million residents It would not be an exaggeration to define this feature. Feasibility study should be live in earthquake-irresistant residences, First and foremost, there is a sentence the area between Büyükçekmece and conducted accordingly. approaching projects such as Canal attributed to me even though I have not Küçükçekmece as “landslide hell”. Even Istanbul, which will double the population stated that sentence. I want to start by today, there are visible landslides in this Canal İstanbul is a risky project, of which density, is a burden to the city which the clarifying that issue. I did not pronounce a region. Mass movements that are to be lump sum much more than its yield city cannot endure. sentence such as “Canal Istanbul triggers caused by the expected earthquake will considering its purpose of construction. the earthquake.” I think the canal will not bring about much more serious problems. Tanker passages through the Bosphorus The rate of education facilities, trigger the earthquake, yet the earthquake The landslide roots in this region may be can also be reduced by constructing oil and will severely affect the canal. related to the Çatalca Fault Zone, which lies natural gas pipelines to be constructed on which has been transformed to the west of the Büyükçekmece lagoon land. This is both much safer and cheaper. into an earthquake-safe Breaking of the fault beneath the Marmara and extends in the Northwest-Southeast It is safer for the country as well since it structure, is 20%, not 80%, will produce an earthquake of at least 7.2 direction, including the above-mentioned does not affect the Montreux Convention. magnitude and in this case, the area where faults in the sea. Severe mass movements Istanbul is awaiting for an earthquake, as stated in the official the canal is located will be severely affected that may occur on the slopes of the canal safety of life and property of hundreds statements. Students’ and our by the earthquake. The part of the canal, during the earthquake also induce the risk of of thousands of people are under threat. children’s lives are in danger. especially between Küçükçekmece and carrying material into the canal and blocking Republic of Turkey should exert all its Marmara, is the weakest link in the chain the canal to this end. effortsto prepare Istanbul for earthquake. The number of assembly areas that are of and will be affected by at least 9 magnitude A new canal can save several historical vital importance during the earthquake is from the expected earthquake. The ground at the Marmara entrance of the artifacts in the Bosphorus, but the very limited. An overwhelming majority of canal is extremely weak. The sediments earthquake preparedness will save both the existing assembly areas are completely far Despite the fact it is stated that there are here mainly consist of soft, clayey, swelling, life of hundreds of thousands of citizens and from meeting the basic needs. active live faults on land along the canal surging and dispersing units. A similarly bad all historical artefacts in Istanbul. ground is present at the entrance of the canal

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 82 SESSIONS 83 The rate of education facilities, which has that the project will cause a burden of 35 been transformed into an earthquake-safe billion liras to the budget of the Istanbul structure, is 20%, not 80%, as stated in Metropolitan Municipality and naturally the official statements. Students’ and our lead to disruption of municipal works have children’s lives are in danger. a logical basis. Worry should be directed to the fact that poverty and deprivation caused The Canal Istanbul Project will divide by this burden will be on the shoulders of Istanbul into three and 8 million people the people of Istanbul. ■ will live on an artificial island. The imprisonment of such a large population in Istanbul, which is under the threat of earthquakes, will cause irreparable consequences for earthquake and disaster studies. The population living on the island will be twice as much under danger by the earthquake. Even in the current situation, the disaster response possibilities of a city, whose earthquake assembly areas and transportation routes are destroyed, are condemned to the unknown, how a divided city will react after the earthquake is ambiguous as well.

The burden of Canal Istanbul Project on city traffic has not been calculated yet. Canal Istanbul is expected to increase the current traffic load by an estimated 10 percent. However, due to the residential and business centres planned to be constructed in the region, the transportation load will increase, and especially in TEM and E5 there will be a noticeable increase in vehicles.

Relocation of large structures such as Istanbul Thrace Railway, TEM Highway, E5 Highway, other important highways, Terkos- Alibey historical water gallery, dozens of important drinking water transmission lines, Ataköy waste water collector, which are located in the places where Canal Istanbul is likely to pass through will cause serious problems in urban life.

If the budget planned to be allocated to Canal Istanbul, is spent on earthquake precautions, urban investments, infrastructure, transportation, improvement of streams, protection of historical values and increasing the number of green areas, Istanbul will become a more liveable city. The money to be spent on Canal Istanbul will make the residents of Istanbul confront new problems. Concerns regarding the fact

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 84 SESSIONS 85 Summary

In the session, “Disaster Risk and Seismicity” moderated by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of Department of Earthquake Risk Management and Urban Development, the highlighted statement is “Earthquake will have a severe impact on the canal.” The following consequences are derived after the session:

▶ The area in which the project is located is expected to be most severely affected by the earthquake.

▶ In a possible earthquake, the risks of quake, displacement, mass movements and liquefaction in the canal area are quite high.

▶ Due to the fact that the canal project is prepared as a project in the earthquake zone and the population that it will bring will increase the existing risks.

▶ A possible earthquake can trigger landslides and cause allusions.

▶ A comprehensive database is required for accurate analysis of earthquake risks.

▶ The true crazy project is to prepare Istanbul for an earthquake and not to construct a canal.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 86 SESSIONS 87 pollution to be formed will have an impact 2.3 on Istanbul as a whole.

Spatial Planning, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that healthy ecosystems Urban Development can balance the temperature increase due to climate change by 37%. Therefore, and Cultural Heritage Prof. Dr. Azime Tezer sustainability of natural ecosystems of İTÜ, Department of Urban and Regional Istanbul is essential within the scope of Planning climate change adaptation policies.

In Canal Istanbul Workshops’ session, The priority of a liveable Istanbul should “Spatial Planning, Urban Development and The natural heritage sites in Istanbul have be fresh water resources and air quality. Cultural Heritage”, moderated by Istanbul an important role in terms of sustainable Protecting fresh water resources, improving Metropolitan Municipality Deputy General urbanization. Therefore, determination of air quality and ensuring the sustainability Secretary Dr. Mehmet Çakılcıoğlu, probable the spatial priorities of Istanbul is essential of these areas are also important for the impacts of Canal Istanbul Project on urban for a sustainable urban development. European Union harmonization process. development and spatial planning, cultural and natural heritage are addressed. In the Canal Istanbul Project Environmental Spatial policies related to “Sustainable Impact Assessment Report, impacts of Development Goals, Adaptation to Climate the canal on the ecosystem cannot be Change and Mitigation of Natural Disaster clearly monitored. While the opinions Risks” have priority in global and UN of the institution regarding this issue Habitat meetings. Therefore, these policies contain statements such as “there will be should guide spatial planning for the an impact”, the ecological impact context sustainable development of Istanbul. of the subject is not in line with the comprehensive report content explaining Finally, it is uncertain for whom the real the components of the ecological structure. estate investment areas around the canal are planned for. Marina area south of the Marina zone south of the planned area indicates that this area will appeal to the upper income level. project area indicates that this zone will appeal to In addition to this, the real estate sector can the upper income level. be planned in a sustainable way by creating different development focuses outside Water resources and forest areas are and around Istanbul, and Istanbul can be essential to improve water and air quality. prevented from becoming an agglomeration These problems should be solved by spatial area. planning. At the point reached, there is a perception that Küçükçekmece Lake cannot be protected. However, Küçükçekmece Lake can be protected by ecological repair techniques and water quality can be improved by ecological restoration, since it is already a natural lagoon per se.

Within the scope of Canal Istanbul Project, 38 kilometre-long coastal filling area is planned. However, this filling area will already spoil a significant part of Istanbul’s only natural coastal ecosystem. During the transportation of the incredibly large excavation material to be excavated during the construction of the Canal Istanbul Project and the creation of filling areas, air

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 88 SESSIONS 89 for Istanbul mostly target the north of Metropolitan Planning do not meet the an understanding of cultural landscape that Istanbul. One of these projects is the New great project fetishism expectations present eliminates the artificial distinction between Istanbul project with a population of 1 in power circles in terms of Istanbul. The conservation and innovation. million. In addition, the report suggests the plans which are prepared by these two use of external loans by pointing out the organizations are an expression of the A 1 million Yenişehir public-private cooperation and the method desire to meet this expectation and use settlement will emerge. Canal that Ottomans used for the financing of Istanbul as the engine power of capital Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Tarık Şengül these projects. Another remarkable point accumulation and fundraising processes İstanbul is a zoning project for METU, Lecturer - Department of Political is the similarity in terms of the method through large projects. the survival of Istanbul Airport. Science and Public Administration and content of the Regional Development Association’s proposed development In addition to the economic and ecological It is even included in the EIA Report, strategies for the United States for 2050 and dimensions of the Canal Istanbul Project, where the Ağaçlı shores in the Black Sea The plan, prepared by Istanbul Metropolitan Turkey for 2023. it is necessary to make an assessment contain even more ancient data than the Municipality with over 600 experts between on the cultural and ideological level. A Yarımburgaz Cave. However, this region has 2004 and 2008, does not include any projects In this framework, the suggestions government that frequently voiced its not been declared archaeological site. The such as third airport, third bridge and New developed for Istanbul mostly target the claim of establishing itself outside the region will stay under the filling to be made Istanbul. north of Istanbul. One of these projects is West, independent of the West, highlights a with the waste from the excavation of the the New Istanbul project with a population Western-based large-scale project and with canal and it will be destroyed. However, again, Istanbul Metropolitan of 1 million. In addition, the report suggests a financing model based on transnational Municipality’s currently obsolete Housing the utilization of external loans by pointing borrowing. In this sense, Canal Istanbul In the EIA Report, it is stated that Rhegion Inc. prepared two separate reports targeting out the public-private partnership and the also points to an ideological impasse. 1st , 2nd and 3rd degree archaeological the north of Istanbul to a great extent with method that Ottoman used for the financing sites located in the center of Küçükçekmece the experts from abroad. The first study was of these projects back then. Another will be affected to a low degree. However, conducted by the Regional Plan Association, remarkable point is the similarity between this is not possible. These archaeological headquartered in New York, headed by the Regional Development Association of sites are located at the entrance and exit Robert Yaro. The other study was carried the development strategy for 2050 proposed points of the canal where large ships and out within the master’s program in the by the United States, Turkey’s 2023 strategy tankers will pass through. Therefore, they Urban Design Department of the University in terms of method and content. will be adversely affected by ship traffic on of Michigan. the canal. The Michigan Project, financed by Istanbul A government that Metropolitan Municipality Housing Inc., Similarly, in the EIA report there is proposes a series of common projects for no assesment regarding how the new frequently voiced its claim Northern Istanbul, such as Canal Istanbul, Prof. Dr. İclal Dinçer settlements around the canal zone will of establishing itself outside New Istanbul airport and cruise port. ICOMOS Turkey National Committee Head, affect the region. Therefore, the revision of the West, independent of Although the specific locations proposed Lecturer - YTÜ Department of Urban and the EIA 1/100.000 scale plan regarding the are different, the Michigan study appears to Regional Planning zone that covers the banks of the canal is the West, the Canal Istanbul be an important inspiration to the projects completely inconsistent with the Master Project, which is inspired implemented today. Plan for Istanbul. by Western-style project Archaeological heritage is a sensitive and The point to be noted here is the non-renewable cultural resource; it is As can be seen from the examples of the fetishism and funded through preparation of two studies that produce essential that it does not disappear and world, settlements cannot be located so transnational borrowing is a decisions that will completely deactivate is protected on site. To achieve this, land close to the perimeter of such a canal. reflection of the ideological this plan through an organization within use decisions should be changed and the While debates regarding Canal Istanbul dilemma of the government. its body on the same date against a plan move of the archaeological site to another continue, a 1 million Yenişehir settlement which is approved by Istanbul Metropolitan location should not be considered. While will emerge. Therefore, the revision is Municipality’s own council. An assessment planning, protection of the environment a zoning project for Istanbul Airport to In 23-page long “Towards National should be made by avoiding the ease and nature should be at the forefront, and survive. Development Plan entitled” study prepared of considering the US-based Regional it should not be forgotten that nature is the under the chairmanship of Yaro stated Development Association and the University most important heritage for the future, and In the revision of the Environmental Plan, the need for large-scale projects for the of Michigan study as part of international a quality and liveable urban environment there are plan decisions such as “Special development of Turkey and proposes conspiracy. should be created. In this sense, a “bio- Project Area” which are not explained, and development focuses for some certain cultural understanding” is developed uses such as Çekmece Nuclear Research regions. It is understood and the decisions of Master where living spaces of living creatures are and Education Center regarding which Development Plan prepared by Istanbul determined and protected by humans. there is no certain place to move it. These In this context, the suggestions developed Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Efforts should be exerted to accommodate ignore the principle of the plan being public

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 90 SESSIONS 91 and raise the public costs very much. The fact that Istanbul’s upper scale plan is about social and geographical effects are an more free thoughts and awareness than ever made in an eclectic manner prevents the act of fraud; and an effort to cover up the before should be taken into account. All infrastructure of Istanbul, which was observation of the cumulative effects of the murder. established on the east-west axis, will be projects planned in the city. Approaching There is not any national anthem in the interrupted in the north-south direction and Canal Istanbul Project as if it was a stand- The 1 / 100.000 scale plan of this project, world starting with the word “Fear not”. Yet, 11 bridges and tunnels will be constructed alone project and making the impact which affects the whole of Istanbul and we are still trying to be disciplined with in this framework. In addition to the costs assessments of the project only through this even the whole country, is segmental and fear and we endeavour to reinforce our of these bridges, which have to be built very project is a non-scientific method that lacks includes only the region where the canal is. discourses with fear. It is not an acceptable high in order for the ships to pass through, a holistic perspective. The third airport, It lacks a holistic understanding of planning. method especially for scientists to use fear there will be their destructive effects on the third bridge and Canal Istanbul Projects, Therefore, holistic effects are intentionally as a tool for the realization of a thought. environment. These bridges and tunnels will which were announced to the public many overlooked; scientific community and Those who inject fear into society should destroy the entire bio-cultural environment. years ago under the name of “crazy projects”, society are deliberately deceived to this end. be particularly concerned about the are all integrated projects. Considering all widespread effect of fear on children and The Environmental Plan revision is a these projects, north of Istanbul is under the In Canal Istanbul Environmental Impact adolescents and their passivization. bad imitation of approved plan of the impact of a lot of negative environmental Assessment Report, it is stated that metropolitan which was approved in 2009. It burden than it can endure. Istanbul has migratory birds can learn new migration It is not possible to accept the compression is claimed that the vision and goals for the 16 been dismissed from being a liveable city routes. In the same report, there are of any thought and project into the narrow million metropolitan regions will be realized and has been presented to the service of statements that fishing boats will not be able space between black and white. There is a in this area. As suggested by Istanbul’s 1980, global plunder with all its vital cultural and to enter the canal and it will only be open for very large field of grey thinking between 1995 plans and the Environmental Plan, historical assets in the name of short-term the to the passage of tankers. these two colours. One-word assumptions approved in 2009, the development model, economic and political interests. such as “yes” or “no” do not allow the broad consisting of a linear macro-form and We confront with a proposal of life- field of thought and expression of our age compact sub-regions, is the most ideal for Called “madness” even by the high level threatening and devastating destruction to narrow and nobody to develop different Istanbul. However, this model was disrupted officials, this initiative will primarily affect project that is contrary to all national and thoughts. Even if everyone thinks of the by the third bridge and third airport Marmara, Thrace, Black Sea regions and international legal rules, conventions, same thing, a society that no one thinks decisions. their mainland, coastal areas and seas public interest, scientific, technical and will emerge, which causes the country to and the entire geography in ecological, urbanism principles, and climate change become poorer in every respect. During the economical and socio-politic terms criteria, especially the constitution and different periods of the Ottoman Empire, irrevocably, while all the citizens of Turkey, legal legislation. In addition, this project is many projects similar to Canal Istanbul mainly from Istanbul exert their efforts the product of a narrow and elitist point of were brought to the agenda. One of these to communicate their objections to EIA view that disdains nature, looks down from projects was the canal project aiming to Report, and Istanbul Province European the top in terms of settlement practices. connect Golden Horn to Black Sea through Side Reserve Construction Area 1 / 100,000 Canal Istanbul Project should be abandoned Kağıthane Stream which was presented to scale Environmental Plan ,putting all the immediately and dropped from the agenda the palace in 1890. area around the canal under the name of not to be pronounced again. “New Istanbul” for construction, has been As the successors of an empire that has Mücella Yapıcı suspended and EIA Reports issued by the the ability to think and act ahead of its TMMOB, Chamber of Architects ministry became null and void. era, such as the Black Sea-Caspian Canal, İstanbul Branch which aims to unite the Don and Volga Istanbul has been dismissed rivers starting from the 16th century and the construction of a canal between the Red Canal Istanbul Project proposes to connect from being a liveable city Sea and the Mediterranean, I am regretful the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea by and has been presented to that the debates about Canal Istanbul are proceeding along a 45-kilometer route the service of global plunder compressed into a narrow area. following the east of Küçükçekmece Lake, Sazlıdere Dam and Terkos Dam. Connecting with all its vital cultural and I am of the opinion that it is wrong to these two seas, where the marine ecosystem historical assets in the name Dr. M. Sinan Genim consider the similar leaps of countries as is extremely sensitive and has a high level of of short-term economic Architect a support to political initiatives. It think pollution, is neither scientific nor serving for that the presentation of opinions by the the public interest. In addition, the project and political interests. scientists not by creating a single point of will affect the whole Thrace region and Canal Istanbul Project and similar projects view or fear, but with a broader perspective the environmental and social impact area Terkos Basin is the most strategic were brought to the agenda many times will prove fruitful for the evaluation of large specified in the EIA Report will never be underground water tank for life. It faces the during the Ottoman period. The question to public mass regarding the subject. limited to the envisaged area. danger of extinction with the canal project. be answered is what kind of strategic priority Dividing European Side into two and talking and necessityof the Canal Istanbul Project has. Therefore, while discussing this project,

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 92 SESSIONS 93 tree dunes are not subject to the impact this situation affected the settlement system In the ancient settlement of Spradon, where assessment in the EIA Report according to around the lake. In the settlement areas excavations were carried out in 2010 by their archaeological importance. on the opposite shore of Rhegion, on the the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Firuzkoy peninsula, in excavations that are remains dating to the Roman, Byzantine Yarimburgaz Cave shows that the region uncovered by Kucukcekmece Lake Basin and Ottoman periods were identified. This is an important area not only for the Bathonea Excavations, various ruins have archaeological site, which was heavily spread of the primitive man, but also for been documented from the Neolithic period destroyed by treasure hunters, remains Yiğit Ozar the transfer of the lifestyle of farmers of to the Ottoman period. It is understood within the reserve construction area. Association of Archaeologists Neolithic communities to Europe. Findings that the area around the lagoon had intense The boundaries of the area, which was İstanbul Branch, Chairman of Executive that are dated to Neolithic period have also settlement in the ancient time. This area declared as a 1st degree archaeological site Board been found during the recent excavations is an area that should be preserved with by the Conservation Board in 2002, were in Bathonea. An important part of the the ruins, lanterns, cisterns and many expanded due to the archaeological data archaeological site covering the area of monumental structures and presented documented by the Istanbul Archaeological The Canal Istanbul Project is planned to be Yarimburgaz Cave coincides with the canal to the society as an archaeological site. Museums. The pressure of TOKI, which constructed in an area of archaeological route. During the work of the excavation team, has projects in the region, has occurred. ruins and a very important area for cultural traces that may have belonged to the By instrumentalizing a discussion on transitions. Canal route and its surrounding Another important archaeological data remains and wrecks on the lake floor the ancient name and settlement type reserve area as Professor Mehmet Özdoğan that shows that the region has been an were also identified. 200 hectares of this of the site, pressure was imposed to has described, has a diverse archaeology important transition area throughout area, which was declared as a 1st degree change their degrees and borders in inventory, starting from prehistoric times, history is Via Egnatia, the construction of archaeological site in 1156 ha in 1991, was favour of construction. As it is today, an as a route crossing from Asia to Europe and which started in the 2nd century BC. Via first, reduced to 3rd degree archaeological “archaeological park” function has been connecting Mediterranean cultures to the Egnatia, the military route of Rome, which site in 2010 and then it was removed from proposed for the existing archaeological Black Sea. connects the city of currently named as the archaeological site. The dedicated site boundaries in 1 / 100.000 scale Durrës on the coast of Albania and Istanbul, areas of Istanbul University were then Environmental Plan Amendment. The passes through this region. Archaeological allocated to 2013 TOKİ through netting and 1st degree archaeological site of Filiboz An important part of the traces in the canal route and reserve it was intended to open up to construction. Viranlığı is an archaeological site where archaeological site that construction site, and the remains of the However, as a result of archaeological we do not have information because covers the surroundings of settlements on the road can be seen. drilling excavations, archaeological archaeological excavation works have not potential of the areas previously dismissed been carried out. It will be directly affected Yarımburgaz Cave overlaps One of the ancient settlements known to as archaeological site was then re-assessed by the canal project with its location on with the canal route. be located on Via Egnatia is Rhegion at and consequently, a certain part of the area the shore of the Sazlıdere dam. We can the entrance of Küçükçekmece lagoon. As in question was declared as archaeological understand from the ruins, maps and Yarımburgaz Cave, located north of a result of the archaeological excavations site again. In the current situation, archives there were villages and farms in Küçükçekmece Lagoon Lake is one of the carried out between 1938 and 40, the Bathonea settlement is partially protected the region during the Ottoman Period. oldest findspots of Turkey with Palaeolithic remains that are thought to belong to a with its parts which are 1st and 3rd degree Resneli Farm 2nd degree archaeological era layers. According to archaeological palace surrounded by a wall dating to archaeological sites. A part of certain and historical site area is just one of the excavations, the beginning of the settlement the 5th - 6th century AD belonging to the parcels between the 1st and 3rd degree areas reflecting the settlement system of the in the cave is dated to 400 thousand years ancient settlement. As of today, the part archaeological sites that are known to have region in this period. Just like Daye Hatun ago. which is the first degree archaeological remains are dismissed as archaeological Farm known to sell fodders as in bales. The site has not been brought to the city life site, hence they do not have the status of Sazlıdere Mukaata of the Sultan Beyazid-i Flint tools indicating the presence of yet.. The sections designated as 2nd and legal protection. In the 1 / 100.000 scaled Veli Foundation can be cited as a reason temporary camp sites dating to the 3rd degree archaeological sites are in Environmental Plan Amendment, as for for the settlement texture in the region Mesolithic period (between 12 thousand construction. The EIA Report has identified these parcels that have been dismissed as to remain rare and to preserve its rural and 7 thousand BC) in the dune area on the a low impact for this archaeological site, archaeological sites, while the university character. The foundation has annotated Black Sea coast near the Ağaçlı village. Our which will remain at the Marmara entrance area legend was opened for construction the use of Sazlıdere meadow as pasture. knowledge of these hunter communities of the canal. However, as Professor Iclâl within the reserve construction areas, the is limited, since no archaeological Dinçer stated, due to the location of remaining parts of the archaeological site Providing intercultural connections, this excavations have yet been carried out in the canal as it will be at the entrance are shown as “archaeological park”. geography has also been an important these areas which are identified as a result of Marmara Sea, the risk arising from area for the external defense of Istanbul of surveys. The coastal landscaping with the traffic of heavy tonnage ships is not Filiboz Viranlığı, which is throughout history. For example, it is these important data was determined as evaluated. known that the wall of Anastasius (AC. “Coastal Facilities Area” in the plan change on the shore of Sazlıdere 491-518) extending from Çatalca to Silivri and opened for construction. Since the The natural conditions that create a safe dam, will be directly affected was built further west of the Canal route. It impact area that the Environmental Plan area for the ships enabled the lagoon lake by the canal project. is thought that the ruins in the area where and the EIA Report address is different, the to function as a port in ancient time and the Sazlıdere, which is within the scope

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 94 SESSIONS 95 of the Canal Istanbul Project, meets the named Regio, and the focus was only on 24 lagoon lake may also belong to a Byzantine registered cultural heritage assets on the YARIMBURGAZ CAVE castle. During the Second World War, the route in archaeology section, other cultural region was fortified against the dangers assets and potential archaeological sites that might come to Istanbul from the west, were ignored. All of these cultural assets with blockhouse, trenches and supply lines. from different periods, from Yarımburgaz Considering factors such as field of view Cave to Florya Sea Mansion, were evaluated and geological structure, none of them were by only 1 archaeologist with a 4-day field positioned randomly and they were planned study and desk work. to form a line. In the EIA Report of Canal Istanbul Project, it is proposed to move 9 of In fact, the diversity of the cultural assets the blockhouses belonging to this holistic inventory of the region requires different system. areas of expertise and a 4-day field study for the detection of archaeological sites Cultural assets are a is inadequate. A deep survey is required and this requirement is also expressed in whole with where they the EIA Report. In addition, the opinions were constructed and are of the scientific research teams which are present. We need to be able and working and previously worked in the to protect cultural assets region were not received and the current scientific knowledge was not fully reflected together with geographic in the report. Finally, as stated in the EIA and human elements Report, it is a rather absurd proposal without objectification. to “move buildings such as historical bridges, roads, blockhouses and bastions through international practices such as It is stated that archaeological sites within documentation, protection, moving to the reserve construction area will be another location and on-site exhibition as it preserved as an “archaeological park” is in Hasankeyf project” example. Cultural in 1 / 100.000 scale Environmental Plan assets are a whole with where they were Amendment. However, as we have seen in built. We need to be able to protect cultural the examples of Bathonea and Spradon, assets together with geographical and the boundaries of the archaeological sites human elements without objectification. ■ have been determined under the pressure of construction. There are discrepancies between the existing site boundaries and the actual boundaries of the archaeological sites. As such, the “archaeological park” function determined according to the existing site borders is not sufficient to protect these areas from construction.

In addition, we need to consider how the construction process will affect the cultural assets remaining in the canal and reserve construction area outside the construction borders. Considering the vibrations caused by applications such as passages of heavy tonnage construction machines, penetration of deep piles, and landslide risks caused by deep excavations, it is not possible to define the impact of the project on cultural assets in this environment as low-scale. Preparation of Canal Istanbul EIA Report had been conducted by a company

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 96 SESSIONS 97 Summary GOLDEN HORN - BLACK SEA CANAL PROJECT In the session “Spatial Planning, Urban IN THE PERIOD OF SULTAN ABDULAZİZ Development and Cultural Heritage” moderated by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy General Secretary Dr.Mehmet Çakılcıoğlu, the most important highlight is that “holistic impacts of the project are overlooked deliberately”. While the priority for a liveable Istanbul is the preservation of fresh water resources, air quality, cultural landscape and sustainability of ecosystems, these priorities were ignored in the project. The other important statements of the session that have been emphasised are the following:

▶ The region of the project is most severely affected by the earthquake

▶ Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Istanbul Airport and Canal Istanbul are integrated projects. The Canal is a zoning project for the survival of Istanbul Airport.

▶ The EIA Report of the Canal Istanbul Project cannot adequately identify possible impacts of new settlements and archaeological remains.

▶ It is against planning practices that the revised 1/100.000 scale Istanbul Environmental Plan covers only the region where the canal is located.

▶ The model consisting of linear macro-forms and compact sub-regions in the 1/100.000 scale Istanbul Environmental Plan approved in 2009 is the most suitable development model for Istanbul.

▶ In order to protect archaeological heritage sites, land use decisions need to be changed, rather than moving them to another location.

▶ It is envisaged that Küçükçekmece Lake cannot be protected.

▶ Filler areas planned on the Black Sea shores MEDITERRANEAN - RED SEA will destruct the about 9 thousand years old CANAL PROJECT archaeological sites which are on the sole natural coastal ecosystem of Istanbul.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 98 SESSIONS 99 expressed since the 1950s. This canal means 2.4 leaving Thrace and the people living there into the hands of an enemy invasion. Environmental The project leaves our troops to support Thrace without any support in place. Also, Dimension: according to the Montreux Convention, trade ships cannot be banned from their Agriculture, Climate Prof. Dr. Doğan Kantarcı passage through the straits. However, İstanbul University Retired Lecturer warships in the scales of the planned canal and Ecology Department of Soil Sciences and Ecology can pass through the canal. It is the security of our country that is in question.

In Canal Istanbul Workshop, in the session Environmental impact assessment has not “Environmental Dimension: Agriculture, been conducted in the EIA Report. There is Climate and Ecology” moderated by an inadequate and controversial project in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Head of many aspects. Istanbul Airport has caused Department of Neighbourhood Units and irreversible destruction of grasslands, Food, ecological impacts and impacts on agricultural areas and fisheries, as well the climate and agriculture are addressed in as a large forest area. If Canal Istanbul a detailed manner. is constructed, it will also result in the destruction of agricultural, grassland and forest areas and fisheries. Murat Kapıkıran In 20 years between 1983-2003, with the TMMOB Chamber of Agricultural Engineers cessation of support to farmers, cultivated Head of Istanbul Branch areas decreased by 8.15% and agricultural production decreased by 12.8%. However, the quality of agricultural fields and The ecological consequences of the Canal pastures has not changed and forests Istanbul Project invite a major disaster. The continued to produce water. Despite the intense construction raid on agricultural protective provisions of the constitution, lands will increase considerably. In zoning of the agricultural areas, pastures the last 50 years, the agricultural lands and forests for construction and plan have decreased by half in Istanbul. The changes made for establishment of new transformation is carried out in agricultural settlement areas will cause irreparable areas. damages. Secondly, the turbidity that will occur in There are severe challenges in the the Black Sea will advance to the middle operation of the new airport due to the of the sea and cause a great deal of marine ground properties as well as the effect of loss. The jetty to be constructed in the Black precipitation and storm. There is a strong Sea will cause the current in the Black Sea probability that this place will turn into a to turn towards the canal. Consequently, ghost airport. Another important point is organic pollution will begin in Marmara that the village people whose livelihoods and the oxygen level in the Marmara Sea, are destroyed will have to migrate from this which is already dying, will decrease region. Considering these two phenomena, further. selling the land around the canal to the foreign nationals and organizations is an Another important point is the balancing at occupation method. Turks, who are the real sea salinity level will directly affect the flora owners of the property, will be forced to and fauna. It is quite wrong and incomplete migrate and a multinational region will be to consider that it will affect only a few created. districts. In this sense, the project will adversely affect the ecology of an entire Separating Istanbul from Thrace with a geography. canal is an old US project that has been

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 100 SESSIONS 101 Despite the protective provisions of the Therefore, all the rural properties such as assessment method is wrong, the impact with the objectives of protecting nature Constitution, the region has been opened physical, climatic, biological, ecological, factors are lacking. In addition, the geology and repairing ecological destruction nor for reconstruction. A total area of 13,308 etc. will be replaced by urban properties. of the project impact area has not been with the perspective of carbon-free, nature hectares is under destruction. These areas studied. and climate-friendly future that we have to correspond to 4 Belgrade forests. The temperature of the cities is 1 to 3 develop. degrees Celsius higher than the rural / While the agricultural and forest areas are semi-rural areas around them. The impact Through three concepts and principles, destroyed irreversibly, the livelihood of the created by the urban heat island is not one can explain why Canal Istanbul Project villagers has been disappearing and the just a climatic effect. This also changes is poles apart with the climate policies land of the region is abandoned to foreign the city’s most important thermodynamic that should be followed by Turkey along nationals. properties, such as pressure differences with the rest of the world. These concepts and winds. Changes in values such as land are ecosystem integrity, lock-in and (mal) The EIA Report, which should analyze the use, humidity, temperature etc. in the adaptation which are among the concepts problems we will encounter in case of the Canal Istanbul Project and the formation we do use as a guide when developing construction of Canal Istanbul Project, does of additional heat sources will cause the climate policies. not contain a single impact assessment region to turn into an urban heat island. Dr. Ümit Şahin in this regard, only the current situation Green areas trapped in an urban heat island Sabancı University At a time when climate change is analyzed. The microorganisms in the will cause formation of dense fog. The EIA Climate Studies Coordinator environment are at least as valuable as Report does not address such important is turned into climate crisis, humans, and all such projects show us issues by any means. A project of this scale Turkey has to pursue active that we need to transit from a human- cannot be conducted without examining Major interventions to nature such as and constructive policies as centred understanding to an ecology-based large-scale pressure and wind systems and Canal Istanbul are extremely wrong in required by the UN Framework understanding. Canal Istanbul has no modelling how they will change. terms of the effects of climate change. At a ecological sensitivity. Filler areas to be time when climate changed is turned into Convention on Climate Change created up to 25 meters deep will destroy Green areas trapped in an climate crises, Turkey has to pursue active that Turkey is a party and Paris the components of marine ecosystems. and constructive policies as required by UN Agreement signed by Turkey. urban heat island will cause Framework Convention on Climate Change formation of dense fog. that Turkey is a party and Paris Agreement signed by Turkey. If we do not act very Canal Istanbul will dry up water resources, The title of “Conducting Detailed Field fast and maintain the understanding of cause a huge excavation and filling of a 38 Studies and Studies of the Selected Route” economy based on fossil fuels as it is today, km coastal area with excavation wastes, in the EIA Report is completely fabricated. the temperature increase will exceed 1.5 destroy Küçükçekmece Lake and Sazlıdere The report is limited to the fact that how degrees in 2030 and 2 degrees before 2050. Dam and reeds around both wetlands, the geo-morphological features in the new By 2050 the Arctic will become an open sea destroy habitats and accommodation areas geography will be addressed. In summary, and sea levels will rise at least half a meter. of animals, birds, meadows and forages will it is a due diligence report, no real Indications show that temperate climates in be opened for reconstruction, end living life environmental impact assessment has been which Turkey is present as well will become in the sea and it is against the ecosystem Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş carried out. The possibility of fog formation more arid and droughty, will desertified integrity principles. In this sense, it is also Boğaziçi University, around Canal Istanbul and the third airport rapidly, oceans will be acidified and coast against the climate policy. Climate Change and Policies and its increase over time is rather strong. will be flooded. Humanity has never Implementation and Research Center The negative effects will be perceived even encountered such high levels of carbon Lock-in : The second concept, lock-in, is a more as soon as the project is started. dioxide throughout history and has never concept related to the economic life of an lived in such a hot climate. investment. Each investment compels the First of all, it is necessary to address the EIA Canal Istanbul Project will destroy sector or area to continue in the same way, Report. It is full of unscientific statements, agricultural production around Istanbul. Political decisions need to be integrated i.e., lock, for a period of time as long as its many important topics have not been A society is in need of food sovereignty. with climate policies and harmonization economic life. addressed and there is not a modelling that Food consumption depending on imports should be established among sectors with is present. It is not possible to comment is not right. Thanks to the project, 1,500 high green gas emission such as energy, Canal Istanbul is a huge, irreversible on it, since a modelling study has not been hectares of pasture land will be destroyed. transportation, housing, industry and project that will change nature forever. You conducted. A huge population will come here. Import policies regarding water, food, natural can shut down a factory or power plant if food consumption will continue to feed this protection in order to ensure compatibility it brings a cost. But even if you later decide The changes created by large-scale projects population. This project will inflict a heavy with halting the target of climate crisis. As that Canal Istanbul is a wrong project, you on land use are strong enough to affect blow to terrestrial and marine agriculture. a mega project and a harsh and large-scale cannot close it, you cannot fill the canal. A the small-scale climate (microclimate) in The field studies of the selected route are intervention on nature, Canal Istanbul does wrong decision will have caused permanent the region and then the regional climate. inadequate and unscientific, the impact match neither with climate policies nor damage. However, Canal Istanbul will

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 102 SESSIONS 103 create a lock-in not only in this respect but agricultural lands of Istanbul, which they were finalised and submitted in EIA also in economic terms. should be protected and developed, will be Report. destroyed. The remaining agricultural areas If Canal Istanbul is constructed, the region and groundwater will also be salinated. Huge pollution loads of the Black Sea and will be an excavation and construction This is called mal-adaptation. This is doing Danube River and the effects of nuclear site for decades, hence there will be more the exact opposite of what needs to be and industrial accidents that may occur iron and steel, more cement, concrete done. in Russia and Ukraine can cause major and asphalt, which will mean more Assoc.Prof. Dr. Sevim Budak destruction on the ecosystem in Marmara construction equipment and earthmoving The Canal Istanbul Project Istanbul University, through the canal. The impact of accident trucks, more fossil fuels and greenhouse will create an Istanbul that Department Public Administration and risks that may occur in Canal Istanbul on gases. In the Environmental Impact Political Sciences the ecosystem of the Black Sea cannot be Assessment Report, which is written as a is not resilient and flexible calculated. defence text of Canal Istanbul, it is stated to the climate crisis, on that the construction of the canal will the contrary, weak, fragile, The Canal Istanbul Project is located With the project, the ecological corridors cause an additional emission of 1.7 million against the ecological originality of between Istanbul and Thrace are tons of carbon dioxide annually. This unable to adapt, and whose Istanbul. In fact, Canal Istanbul Project is interrupted and the ecological advantages emission that will emerge may occur even nature has been destroyed the story of transforming Istanbul from of the city are taken away. The existing more with different calculation methods. metropolis to mega city. natural structure should remain as an In addition, the emission that will occur It is the implementation of wrong policies ecological corridor and be preserved. In during the construction of the city to be that will make the effects of climate change Important picnic areas, agricultural areas, this context, the question that needs to be established after the canal is completed experienced in a more severe manner agricultural products, water areas and answered is: “Is Canal Istanbul a political, and the additional carbon footprint of the rather than adaptation.. It is adding fuels the situation of those living in these areas ecological or economic project?” ■ population to be transported there are to the fire. Finally; we can connect all three are not considered. Istanbul has been also unknown. Canal Istanbul will create of these concepts, ecosystem integrity, undergoing more and more desertification. new construction and transport emissions with a fourth concept that crosses in-lock Our geography is taken from our hands; the that will continue to rise and will lead to and (mal) adaptation. This is the concept areas that we live in, our neighbours, the an increase of country’s greenhouse gas of resilience. We have to make cities, areas where we were born and raised are emissions for many more years to come, countries, sectors resistant to the impact lost. If we do lose Istanbul today,we will lose and in this sense Turkey’s economy will be of climate change, that is, adaptable and Istanbul tomorrow. In 2010, Küçükçekmece locked into a path of high-emission. responsive. If we do not do this, we will Lake basin lost its property as a protected experience a more severe destruction due to area and it was opened for construction in Mal-adaptation: Another concept, mal- the climate crisis. Ecosystems’ resilience is 2011. Sazlıdere Dam has been evaluated as adaptation, is a concept that summarizes only possible if their integrity is preserved. insignificant and vulnerable to pollution in the practices that must be (and must not The Canal Istanbul Project will create an the EIA Report. be) conducted to adapt to the climate crisis. Istanbul that is not resilient and flexible against the climate crisis, on the contrary, With the project, Istanbul’s access to the Canal Istanbul will serve the exact opposite weak, fragile, unable to adapt, and whose nearest water resource will decrease by of what needs to be done for adaptation. nature has been destroyed. For this reason, 30%. The institutions that are obliged to While the water resources need to be along with all other environmental and provide clean water to the city through the protected, being the two most important ecological concerns, Canal Istanbul is a project will not be able to fulfil their duties water resources, Terkos Lake will be wrong project in terms of climate policies due to cost. After the construction of Canal salinated and Sazlıdere Dam will disappear. and should be completely abandoned. Istanbul, approximately 1.5 million mega In addition, catchment basins will be city will become a city that will become more concretized. Sea levels will increase dependent. Küçükçekmece lagoon and and coastal erosion will form more on the Terkos Lake are international wetlands Blacksea and Marmara, Canal Istanbul will and they will lose their ecological features be eroded with the excavation wastes to be with the Canal Istanbul Project. The Canal created. Istanbul Project violates the Ramsar Convention (especially the convention on Due to concretion and tall buildings, the wetlands of international importance as the region will create a new urban heat island, habitat of aquatic birds). existing forest areas will be destroyed and Istanbul will be further affected by the The findings regarding flora and fauna increasing heat waves in the coming years. in EIA Report are very much inadequate. A significant part of the last remaining Currently lacking indices are reported as if

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 104 SESSIONS 105 Summary

In the session “Environmental Dimension: Agriculture, Climate and Ecology” moderated by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Head of Department of Neighbourhood Units and Food, what is highlighted most by all the speakers is that “The Project will accelerate the negative impact of climate change and it will create an extensive destruction”. Main results of the session are the following:

▶ The area will be opened to zoning and rural areas containing agriculture, grassland and fisheries will be destroyed.

▶ An urban heat island will be created; the most important thermodynamic properties of the city, such as pressure differences and winds, will be adversely affected.

▶ The project will directly affect the microclimate in the region and the global climate.

▶ The EIA Report identifies the current situation; an overall environmental impact assessment has not been conducted.

▶ The flora and fauna in the region will be negatively affected due to the differences in the salinity of the seas. In addition, the people living in the project will have to migrate and there is the possibility that it will be replaced with foreign population.

▶ Canal Istanbul Project has no ecological sensitivity; it is not resilient or flexible in terms of climate change.

▶ Canal Istanbul Project is poles apart with the climate policies that should be followed by Turkey along with the rest of the world.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 106 SESSIONS 107

CLOSING SPEECH

Dr. Mehmet Çakılcıoğlu IMM, Vice Secretary General

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 108 CLOSING SPEECH 109 With Canal Istanbul, historical, geographic and mystical structure of Istanbul, this unique city will be damaged and its vital resources will be harmed. Being situated in the most important ecological corridor of Istanbul, the Canal Project will create significant ecological harm. Canal Istanbul, will bring the Montreux Convention, which is of critical importance for international law and the security of Bosphorus and Black Sea, into discussion table.

Compared to other canal projects in the world, Canal Istanbul Project does not provide any saving in terms of time and distance. The passage of large cargo ships can be done using available modern satellite Technologies.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity and Climate Change brings holds Turkey liable with certain commitments for the protection of environment. With immense potential of its environmental damage, Canal Istanbul Project is in clear contradiction with these commitments. The budget that will be allocated for the costs of the Project can be used for earthquake preparation and urban transformation that are the major problems of the city.

When the destruction of water reservoirs, forestry, agricultural fields and all these values are taken into account, the economic and overall development will not be able to justify this Project. The concept of development is not evaluated through quality not the quantity, and over the concepts like living quality, sustainability, Canal Istanbul Project, as it is currently public good and participation. Canal Istanbul Project, as it is being discussed and evaluated based on currently being discussed and evaluated with assumptions and assumptions and non-scientific narratives non-scientific narratives will bring irreversible ecological, economic, geopolitical, urban and cultural destructions. will bring irreversible ecological, economic, geopolitical, urban and cultural destructions.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 110 CLOSING SPEECH 111

INTERVIEWS

Prof. Dr. Korkut Boratav Retired Lecturer, Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences

Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin Altınbaş University, Vice Rector

Prof. Dr. Aziz Konukman Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Economics Department

Assoc. Prof. Ece Ceylan Baba Yeditepe University, Architecture Faculty

Deniz Ataç Tema Foundation, Chariwoman

Prof. Dr. Avni Zafer Acar Piri Reis University, International Logistics and Transportation Department

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 112 INTERVIEWS 113 bridge projects were based on external added value. Giant airports used by very credits secured by the treasury guarantee. few people and city hospitals can be given Can the financial public burden coming out as examples. When the sources that will be of treasury guarantee be born with Canal used are compared to the utilities coming Istanbul Project? It does not look possible from other possible projects that are being to me. Therefore, it would not be attractive prevented, it gets clear that no reasonable for external credits as well. Can the planning has been made. For example, Prof. Dr. Korkut Boratav rent-enthusiastic rich of the Gulf directly Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin Turkey does not have 5G infrastructure Retired Lecturer, Ankara University, undertake the financial burden? In advance Altınbaş University, Vice Rector and all the sources must be directed Faculty of Political Sciences sale of two lanes of the Canal, reminiscent to this. Rather than the 5G technology of much-debated Chester Project, be a that will create significant savings from financing method? Such a transfer of Different figures are being mentioned healthcare to education, insisting on the Different figures are being mentioned ownership involves international issues about the cost of Canal Istanbul. In Canal Istanbul Project which will create about the cost of Canal Istanbul. In of sovereignty. If the finance options are the ÇED report published by Ministry an environmental disaster indicates an the ÇED report published by Ministry based on rent, it would directly increase the of Environment and Urban Planning, inconsistency between the visions of of Environment and Urban Planning, societal costs that I have mentioned, such financing cost of the Project is stated as decision makers and the realities of the financing cost of the Project is stated as as; unplanned urbanization, sociological 75 billion TL, while it is declared as 118 world. Implementation of a new economic 75 billion TL, while it is declared as 118 problems stemming from uncontrollable billion TL in the report of Ministry of model with the correct vision is urgent. billion TL in the report of Ministry of population movement and environmental Transportation and Infrastructure. So, Transportation and Infrastructure. So, pollution. This is why it should not be what kind of an effect will Canal Istanbul What are the issues that should be what kind of an effect will Canal Istanbul accepted. Project will have on Turkish economy if it brought to the fore and emphasized when Project will have on Turkish economy if it is undertaken? educating the public about its cost on is undertaken? What are the issues that should be country’s economy? brought to the fore and emphasized when Mega projects would most certainly I don’t think a healthy cost-benefit educating the public about its cost on contribute to the economy but in most It should be publicized that moving the assessment of Canal Istanbul Project has country’s economy? cases their cost is more than their benefits. resources that are planned to be used into been made. The huge difference between Furthermore, once you plan the mega the fields that I just mentioned would bring the figures of different ministries create Let’s focus on Istanbul’s already existing projects as an element of integrated a much bigger added value and efficiency. question about the cost of investment. tough problems. Let’s remove the very regional planning you do not get the desired In the same vein, it should be made clear Furthermore, ecological, environmental, design of Canal Istanbul from the agenda. ■ results, just like in the GAP Projects (South- that Turkey does not have the priority of political/geostrategic (due to Montreux eastern Anatolia Project). If we use the such an investment while the country Convention) factors and the societal cost declared amount for digital transformation has many other problems that waiting for of population movement should be added of in the fight against corona virus we investment. Moreover, promoting fields on top of investment cost. Direct financial would create a much bigger added value other than construction to Turkish youth revenue of the Project requires an estimate and make meaningful contributions to would be a more fitting vision to the of its profitability level. As far as I could people’s lives. Therefore, let me underline realities of the world. I believe these would follow, a realistic and attractive vision of once again, every project would contribute be the correct messages. ■ efficiency has not been done for the Project. but it is of utmost importance to use the A net revenue calculation that puts private source for projects that would bring better and social costs and benefits into account added value. In terms of added value Canal could result in a negative figure. Istanbul would not be in the list, not even as the last item. If the much needed cheap financing cannot be secured from global finance If the much needed cheap financing markets, how will the Project be financed cannot be secured from global finance and what will Turkey face? markets, how will the Project be financed and what will Turkey face? In the given conditions, the budget of Republic of Turkey cannot be a replacement Money can be found for practically for the external financing. Budget of Turkey anything in Turkey, they would find it for cannot undertake the finance burden of this project as well. However, the projects a project at that scale. Will the possible that are addressed to contractors by the rents out of the urbanization that the government are too expensive for the Project will be able to bear the costs? The ordinary citizens to use. These projects financing methods used in highway and are also questionable in terms of creating

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 114 INTERVIEWS 115 attention must be paid for it. It is stated of public resources on national economy discussion entitled: “How much is nature in the official document that the Project more realistically. With this method, not worth?” In the given conditions, basing is being planned for 100 years given the only monetary costs and benefits, costs the decisions on the implementation of necessary maintenance is done properly. In and benefits on healthcare (life expectancy, any investment project on such analysis, the official ÇED report there is no mention living quality etc.), environment (the regardless of its flaws, is accepted to be or foresight of the management costs. There damage that it gives to the environment), better than basing them on objective is no calculation of the costs and revenues and positive and negative externalities can criteria. Once the damage on human Prof. Dr. Aziz Konukman that this project will bear throughout its be involved in the evaluations. Social CBA is health and environment are expressed in Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, life. This is a very important question. a method of evaluation that brings together monetary terms in a CBA –considering Economics Department Because without clarifying this, you cannot the growth in national income, income the intangible social costs- such projects get a feasibility study done. The existing distribution and other social purposes. render not implementable in societal terms. ÇED report does not allow that. Because, throughout the years, the possible Different figures are being mentioned There are different takes on the aims aggregate societal cost of the projects could about the cost of Canal Istanbul. In About the second part of your question, and methods of social and economic multiply its possible aggregate cost. These the ÇED report published by Ministry what will be the costs and benefits of this analyses in literature. CBS by the way analyses do exist in our by-laws. Conducting of Environment and Urban Planning, project to the society? Economic effects does not constitute an alternative to ÇED economic and social analyses was first financing cost of the Project is stated as that you mention in the question constitute report. It is more like a complementary to instructed in “Feasibility Report Format for 75 billion TL, while it is declared as 118 only a part of the overall societal effects. ÇED. It aims at measuring the economic Public Investment Project Proposals above billion TL in the report of Ministry of Such effects are analyzed in economic, and social cost-benefit analysis and the 2 Million TL”, and addendum to 2006-2008 Transportation and Infrastructure. So, social, regional, environmental and social effects of the public resources that Investment Program Preparation Guide what kind of an effect will Canal Istanbul cultural dimensions. Cost-benefit, cost- are allocated. Implementation of these that was published in July 2005. In the Project will have on Turkish economy if it effectiveness, added value, revenues in methods should not suffice to the analysis 2019-2021 Investment Program Preparation is undertaken? foreign exchange, employment, income of proposed project and take it into account Guide the amount was revised to be “above distribution, effects on public financing, in a standalone manner, because, every 10 million TL”. The first document that Three different figures are roaming external effects, social and cultural project has its costs and opportunities. proposed such analyses to be made in around. The financing cost of the Project impacts can all be analyzed in the scope The resources allocated to the Project public investments is The Special Expert is expressed in the official ÇED report as of economic and social analyses. The most can be used for other projects. Choosing Commission Report on the Effectiveness 12.7 billion USD, in the 2018 presentation comprehensive and when suitable the a specific project means quitting others. of Planning and Implementation of Public of Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure most preferred one among these analysis Therefore, in any project proposal, other Investments, to which I was a rapporteur, it was expressed as 20 billion USD, yet methods is cost-benefit analysis (CBA), possibilities of resource allocation must and which was involved in the eights in January 13 2020 presentation of Cahit which is used to analyze the costs and be mentioned. The proposed project and Five Years Development Plan. There is Turan, the Minister of Transport and benefits of the investment projects. The its alternatives must be evaluated in their one another regulation in our by-laws Infrastructure, it was expressed as 25 billion costs and benefits of investment projects effect on environment, national economy, pertaining to this issue. The Law on USD. In Turkish Lira, we are talking about can be analyzed from the points of view of different segments of the society and Public Financial Management stipulates 75, 118 and 145 billion. It is obvious that the investor, national economy and society. regions. The ranking of the competing that “Cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and a project with no serious cost calculation The one that is done from the point of view projects should be built in this fashion with other economic and social analyses that would not be taken seriously. Even if they of the investor is called commercial (or the precondition that their benefit to the render necessary must be done in line with declare a well calculated cost, that will financial) CBA, the one that is done from society exceeds their cost. These proposed economic and social efficiency principles not be the end of problems. There are the point of view of national economy is techniques, of course, will not exhaust the in the provision of the needed sources for two problems: The first one, the foreseen called economic CBA and the third that discussion on the issue. Since every project, supplying services and products by public amount could increase for various reasons is done from the societal point of view despite their overall utility, will bring some authorities”, and this is of the essence as a starting with the court cases that would is called social CBA. The economic CBA costs and burdens to certain individuals, major principle of public financing. In line be opened against expropriation practices. analyzes a project in terms of its effect on the decisions to distribute these costs and with this regulation, for this project that In such projects it it extremely difficult the growth of national income. In the scope burdens based on these techniques will not is identified as a service of infrastructure, to foresee the investment cost altogether. of this analysis, methods that are based make everyone happy. either carried out in a build-operate- Previous similar artificial waterway projects on single-factor benchmarks (added value transfer model, (on page 371 of Presidential indicate that the overall costs multiplied effect, employment effect, foreign currency Furthermore, CBA technique is expensive, Decree number 14, it was declared that the the initial cost calculation. It is possible revenue, income distribution effect, public time consuming and cannot be applied Canal Istanbul Project was decide to be that a similar case will happen with this financing effect, external effects etc.) in every situation. On top of that, the built with build-operate-transfer model), or project. The overall cost will also change can be used, alongside other methods damage on human health and environment undertaken with the national budget, since depending on the fluctuations on the that use integrated factor benchmarks cannot be calculated in monetary terms. A both methods are related to the budget exchange rate between USD and TL. The (economic domestic profitability. Many discussion on the monetary expression of (while an allowance is allocated in the second problem is with the structure. It countries and international institutions such effects is still going on in literature. On first model in the scope of the guarantees should be planned in the best possible way use economic CBA based on shadow prices November 2012 issue of EKO IQ magazine, given to the budget, the second stipulates for the management purposes and utmost since it measures the effect of allocation there was a very informative dossier on this an allowance equal to the amount of total

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 116 INTERVIEWS 117 investment) cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness employment, yet the data speaks otherwise. and fund it. This is being regarded as an and other economic and social analyses According to the data publicized in the effort to find funding for the Project for that render necessary. Nevertheless, despite ÇED report the Canal would employ 10.000 which no financier could be founded. With the clear instruction of the by-law, the people, yet only 500 to 800 of them will be a legal amendment, they paved the way to authorities seem to suffice the issue to the permanently employed. The rest will work load the citizens and companies with the ÇED report and the analyses stipulated by during the preparation and construction financial burden of such high cost project. the by-law are not being done. This clearly phases. It is expected that during the However, in a juncture where the growth conflicts with the by-laws that are in force. construction 8 to 10 thousand people will rate will be less than 5%, the declared In the ÇED report there is only a narrow be employed and for the management of figure for the year 2020, because of the cost-benefit analysis. In this regard, it the Canal, a total of 500 to 800 people will mentioned risks, it will be very difficult to is specifically meaningful that in the be employed including the facilities of carry this burden. Therefore, there is no 1595-pages-long report, only 5 pages (366- the Canal. The data suggests that rather rational economic basis to insist on Canal 370) have been allocated to this analysis. debatable project of the AKP government Istanbul Project. The economic feasibility study of the will not significantly contribute to Project declares that it will contribute to the employment. In fact, they must have What are the issues that should be country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), found the number 500 to 800 permanent brought to the fore and emphasized when increase the security around Bosphorus, employment so small that they did not educating the public about its cost on decrease the costs of accidents and support mention it in the economic cost-benefit country’s economy? international trade as a strategic issue. analysis. When the economic benefits are evaluated The total evaluation of Canal Istanbul in the context of GDP, it is expected If the much needed cheap financing must not be limited to its economic cost, to make 126.4 billion USD additional cannot be secured from global finance and include the dimension of social costs. contributions to GDP over 20 years. This markets, how will the Project be financed From this perspective, the answer to the figure amounts up to 0.74% of the overall and what will Turkey face? question was given in answering the first GDP of Turkey. Calculating the contribution question. In case the Project is carried of the Project without conducting an While Turkey’s credit default swap (CDS) out 145 billion TL will be transferred to independent research* and with reference was 267 in mid-January, it reached 420 as it, therefore, we will be abandoning other to another study is quite meaningful. of March 10. In this steep rise, the tensions projects that can be done with 145 billion Furthermore, they also claim that there will in foreign policy (especially the crisis in TL. As if this social cost is not enough, be economic utility that will come from Idlib) played important roles as much as the other non-repairable damages (threatening the increasing security in Bosphorus and domestic economic fragility of the country. harm on human and environmental health decreasing number of accidents with the Alongside these, the risk brought about by including possible ecological destruction, implementation of the Canal Project. In the corona virus of course contributed to decrease in agricultural fields, social costs addition to that, they argue that alongside this steep rise in the risk coefficient. As the stemming from forced migration etc.) will the usage of the Canal and the supporting global recession continues because of the be possible. ■ integrated facilities and logistics centre virus, the risk coefficient will keep rising will provide significant utility and Turkey and reach higher points. This means more will contribute to the performance of expensive external debt for Turkey. In such international logistics. Turkey will also a juncture, carrying out the Project through improve its infrastructure and decrease build-operate-transfer model seems the running time of international goods. extremely difficult. On top of that, the As clearly displayed here, the cost-benefit deficit of the Project from the 2020 budget analysis is a single-factor economic cost- seems to be above 5 billion TL and this benefit analysis. renders the financing of the Project near impossible. It must have been considered Another curious point is that despite that these two financing models may not a detailed take on the ecological and work a third way was sought after. With the environmental problems in the report, it is Law on Changes on Banking Law and some concluded that there will be no significant others they enabled creating funds for mega effect on them (p.370). In the same vein, it infrastructure projects and energy projects is interesting that the employment utility that need intense and long term capital. of the Project was not mentioned here, it The method called “crowd funding” is based was mentioned at some other place in the on collecting money on various platforms * “What prospects for transport infrastructure report. The AKP government argues that including electronic one. The citizens and and impacts on growth in southern and eastern the Project will contribute significantly to companies can buy real estate from Project Mediterranean countries?”, MEDPRO, 2013.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 118 INTERVIEWS 119 put into the very basis of an urban project, creatures and birds. The Çed report however the utopia is designed, everything recognizes that there are 249 bird species, gets justified to reach to that utopia. From 29 fresh water creatures and 7 amphibians this point, it becomes inevitable that in these regions. Sazlıdere and Terkos water the utopianism brings oppression and basin, both of which remain in the scope enforcement, which is dystopian by its of this project and together constitute nature. Furthermore, the utopia that is important water reservoirs of Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Ece Ceylan Baba presented as a city has to be flawless since Deniz Ataç face the risk of salinization and extinction. Yeditepe University, Architecture Faculty it was identified as an ideal. From that, Tema Foundation, Chariwoman Terkos and Sazlıdere constitute 29% of second dystopian evidence shows up: The total water collection capacity of the city. idea of flawlessness creates a city that is Underground water basins that concentrate You define Canal Istanbul Project as a not open to change and leaves no space What will be the overall effect of Canal under Thrace are of strategic importance utopia which will fast turn into a dystopia. for development in a static understanding. Istanbul Project on environment? on the face of possible drought resulting What kind of a dystopia do you foresee? Then, we reach to third evidence of from climate change. Because of the Project utopianism that result from the first two: The Project will be built in an ecologically all the underground water on the European The cities are in a global competition Utopian thought and freedom cannot sensitive region and therefore, it cannot side of the city face irreversible risk of currently. To create some advantage they co-exist. Now, we have completed the be evaluated merely as a waterway salinization. ■ resort to mega scale projects. This, then, thought cycle of anti-utopian reasoning: transportation project. It will change the paves the way for function-free utopian Utopianism, in every scenario, aims at the whole transportation system of the city, mega projects that aim at economic impossible and ends up with oppression its overall macro form, underground growth. Such projects, despite they are and totalitarianism once forced into water system, and nautical and terrestrial heavily desired by the ruling group, may practice. In other words, the utopian urban ecosystem. Undertaking such a vast and create irreversible social, economic and design attempts, almost certainly, end extensive project, as if it were any other ecological damage once they are carried up with dystopian urban spatial designs. industrial facility or a quarry, just with a out. Therefore, the utopias on paper may Scientific researches and expert opinions ÇED report will create many uncertainties turn into dystopias easily. In other words, indicate that Canal Istanbul Project invites and render many problems unsolvable. the utopias that are dreamed through many dystopian damage scenarios, which Far beyond how it was addressed in the mega projects may turn into dystopias involve the destruction of urban macro ÇED report, this project will effect Istanbul during the implementation phase with forum, its ecosystem and archaeological , the whole Marmara region, Black Sea, the variables that are ignored or not put remnants. In order to prevent such a mega Marmara Sea and nautical and terrestrial into calculations. With the Canal Istanbul, scale destruction, the Project must first be living spaces in all these regions. Therefore, the current utopian approach aims at told to public in all transparency and then bringing such a project into life without accelerating the economic growth of must be discussed by scientists and experts high scale spatial planning and strategic Turkey and Istanbul and with sensation in all its dimensions laying out potential environmental evaluation will disable us to that the iconic structures create, making problems that may stem from it and then bring out all the possible effects that it will the promotion of the city at the global should be comprehensively thought for how bear. scale and turning it into a global attraction to get over those problems. ■ point. Canal Istanbul Project involves deep The Project will bring harm to life-support intervention into nature and the city. With systems of Istanbul such as agricultural an irreversible revolution that would only fields, forests and water reservoirs that take a couple of years, it will transform are strongly linked to clean air, clean the overall environment of the city whose water and adequate and healthy food. evolution took 12 thousand years. Even With this project 142 million metre though a utopia is desired out of this square agricultural field face the risk of approach, other historical examples and zoning. This amounts to 19% of the total rational-scientific approach point out that it agricultural fields of Istanbul. According to may turn into a dystopia. ÇED report 421 hectar forestry will be cut down. First of all 287.03 hectar of this forest How do you evaluate the Project in terms has protected forest status and remains in of architecture and urban design? the boundaries of Lake Terkos Protected Forest. Lake Terkos, Sazlıdere Dam and The utopian approach that designs the Lake Küçükçekmece remain in the route city like a machine, like an ideal, turns the of the Canal and its sphere of influence. cities into negative spaces of dystopia. It These regions are extremely important is clear that, once a utopian approach is ecosystems for amphibians, freshwater

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 120 INTERVIEWS 121 of 13.461 ships from 2004 to 2018. The must be under certain limits. According studied for our benefit. decrease becomes 15.503 compared to the to the existing by-law on Bosphorus, the most intense year, 2007. The construction ships that are up to 300 m can pass through In short, if the Canal Istanbul is of the pipeline that crosses Turkey has a without a special control. I have the constructed, no main route carries will lot to do with this decrease. So, there is a statistics of passage with you a short time have to dock to Ambarlı port. Our maritime clear decrease in the number of oil tankers, ago. fleet, which mostly consists of coaster type which further decreases the risks that are ships, will not be able to get short distance Prof. Dr. Avni Zafer Acar created by the transiting ships. The second I would like to evaluate the issue in the distribution/collection cargo. The amount Piri Reis University, International Logistics column of the table discloses that half of context of container ships and container of cargo handled in our ports will decrease and Transportation Department the ships that transmit use marshalling transportation which are increasing at the too. Actually, Pire port has surpassed services, which increase by the years. This, global scale. 300 m ships have a maximum Ambarlı port with strategic connections needless to say, increases tthe passage of 5.000 TEU container capacities. These that it made in recent years. We should One of the most important reasons that security. ships, in general, have 11 or 12meter drafts, also consider that about 70% of our port are put forward for Canal Istanbul is the therefore, they don’t need a deep sea port. transactions take place in the ports of Bosphorus being less-than-enough for The third and fourth columns of the table This increased the use of ships less than 300 Marmara region. From this point of view, international transportation. Another one show all the tankers and the ships that are meters in length, which are called Istanbul the incoming cargo of our industrialists is that the Project is required to decrease bigger than 200 m in length. In line with the type, in Black Sea. However, the planned will be handled at Pire port and Turkish the accidents that take place in Bosphorus. trends in global maritime transportation Canal will allow 340 meters long, 48 meters ship owners will face significant costs Will Canal Istanbu Project really increase towards container transportation, the ratio wide and 15 draft ships to go through to get these products to our ports. This the maritime trade? Are the ship accidents of big ships in all transiting ships increases. Istanbul in a faster manner. These ships will decrease our competitiveness at getting more frequent in the Bosphorus? Yet, the overall number of oil tankers that have, in general, the capacity of 8.000-8.500 the international arena because of the They also say that transit through the pass through Bosphorus is decreasing. On TEU. increases in the input costs. On the face of Canal will be more expensive; therefore, top of that, more than 99% of the big ships these losses, we will gain a relative decrease it will bring more revenue to the country. that are larger than 200 m get marshalling Therefore, there will be a capacity increase in the traffic of Bosphorus and the revenues How will the international commercial services. of 50-60% and with increased traffic; the that we will obtain from the passages ships be convinced to go through a canal total cargo will increase 70-75%. In terms of through the new Canal, which is far less for which they will have to pay more? Looking into commercial side of the international trade this could be regarded than our losses. issue, I don’t think Canal Istanbul will as a great development, especially for time The existing data shows that the number have a positive effect on maritime trade. and total cost. The interesting coincidence As a result, in the maritime context, while of ships that pass through Bosphorus Many experts are discussing the rent and is that the consortium that includes the powers that control international trade decreases, as was indicated in the table environmental effect that this project will Dubai Port (DP World) that carry on with will win, Turkish ports, Turkish maritime below. The table also demonstrates that create, yet the most important dimension of expansion and development in Constanza transportation and Turkish economy will there is no specific intensity in the transits the issue, maritime trade is being left out. Port, APM-Mearsk in Poti Port, Conti lose. ■ through Bosphorus and there is a decrease The ships that transit through Bosphorus Holding from United States in Anakhlia Port are working for ships with 8.500 TEU capacities. With this project coming alive, Years Total Pass Guided Pass Rate Ships Larger than Tankers the works of international strategic chain (%) 200 metres (Total) (TTA, TCH, LPG/LNG) that involves international enterprises 2004 54,564 40,90 3,052 9,399 of main route ship managers and their 2005 54,794 44,70 3,503 10,027 strategic partners, port managers will be 2006 54,880 48,45 3,653 10,153 facilitated. In the current situation, we 2007 56,606 47,14 3,653 10,054 maintain the control of the most vital point 2008 54,396 49,64 3,911 9,303 of this chain. At a time everyone focuses 2009 51,422 48,57 3,871 9,299 on the financial cost and environmental 2010 50,871 51,18 3,623 9,274 effect of the project, this perspective cannot 2011 49,798 52,23 3,800 9,103 be left unattended. From this perspective, 2012 48,329 51,34 3,866 9,027 it gets easier to understand why they 2013 46,532 51,63 3,801 9,006 make huge investments on deepening 2014 45,529 53,83 4,295 8,745 the Constanza, Anakhlia and Poti ports 2015 43,544 53,62 3,930 8,633 and extending their piers. It also should 2016 42,553 52,54 3,873 8,703 be noted that the expansion works of the 2017 42,978 55,98 4,005 8,832 Egyptian canal coincided with the conflits 2018 41,103 56,99 4,106 8,537 that are called “Arab Spring”. After the Toplam 737,899 56,942 120,610 actualization of the second Suez Canal, Annual Average 49,193 50,23 3,796 8,040 what Egypt attained out of it should be

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 122 INTERVIEWS 123 FORUM SPEECHES

Funda Cihan Zehra Dalmaz Zafer Acar Kemal Doksanyedi Süheyla Bayrak Hasan Cavit Yenigün Oytun Güventürk Haluk Dural Ayşe Yıkıcı Eren Onur Ahmet Saymadi Koray Türkay Zafer Ülger Yalçın Yüksel Uğurcan Bayer Soner Alkan Murat Cesur Turgay Mahmutoğlu Zana Gümüş Metin Düzgit Meftun Gürdallar Oğuz Kılıç Kaya Enişte

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 124 FORUM SPEECHES 125 Funda Cihan never seen something like that. As people follow the route of Alexandria and Piraeus, has formed since the fourth geological of Durusu Terkos, we will stand up to this and from there Constanta and Poti route by time and will form in future. For this crazy rent project to the end, which will paying only the passage toll without ever reason, it also provides important data First of all, thank you for the invitation. destroy our living space. We will resist as visiting us. In summary, we will only get the for the organization of the economy. I am an environmental engineer and much as we can. Not only will we defend passage fee and protect them. Geomorphology, as a discipline, should attending the symposium on behalf of our rights but also the rights of the trees not be neglected to predict what kind of Chamber of Environmental Engineers. It that they will cut, the lakes that they will problems you might face in the next 50-100 was not possible to follow all the sessions, dry and the wild animals. I say “Canal or years in the construction of a dam or in a but I think the participants were informed Istanbul” and greet you respectfully. Kemal Doksanyedi big project like Canal Istanbul. We should in every dimension. The workshop made a have accurate predictions about this issue very important contribution. As a chamber, and the relevant data should be expressed we have already been carrying on with our Good evening everyone! In today’s in clear numbers. So I am asking where is work on this issue. We will publish our Zafer Acar workshop, scientists made all the necessary geomorphology and geo-morphologists? scientific report about the Canal soon. I scientific explanations. I am here to The Canal Istanbul Project has made an wanted to share this. I’d like to thank all represent the volunteers of MAHDER, extremely deadly problem apparent both participants for their contributions. Many issues were discussed in the sessions. Neighbourhood Disaster Association. for Turkey’s economy and in terms of I want to inform you about an issue On behalf of neighbourhood disaster citizens as well. The Marmara Sea is dying. that I think was not addressed. 80% of volunteers, I carry out the works in How do we save Marmara Sea? This is international goods movement by volume Kucukcekmece. The nature will take our biggest problem and this needs to be Zehra Dalmaz is carried by sea. International transport is everything back that we have taken from scientifically studied with clear data. Thank now mainly done with larger ships over 300 it. It will be a flood when the time comes, you. meters rather than smaller ones that we call it will be a fire then, and it will be an First of all, Welcome! coaster. The decrease in fuel transportation earthquake when the time comes. We just with the widespread use of pipelines has have 72 hours to save the victims after a I came from Durusu, Terkos which is one of greatly increased container transportation. possible earthquake disaster. Not more! 8 Hasan Cavit Yenigün the villages whose nature was destroyed by Ships up to 300 meters long can pass bridges, which will be built on that canal, the new airport. Now, they want to create a through Bosporus. These ships generally will prevent us from reaching the disaster new rent area in our region under the name carry cargo with 5000 TEU (Twenty Foot area, considering the logistics and drugs I am a certified engineer of Chemistry. I of Canal Istanbul. It will hit one last blow to Equivalent Unit) capacity and they have 11- coming from the west. They will kill us in want to touch upon two issues. I will first our living space if this crazy Project comes 12 meters drafts. So, how will the features of our own trap just like a mouse when it is talk about what Canal Istanbul will create to life. We, the residents of Terkos, don’t new ships that will pass through the canal trapped. Please tell this to your neighbours in the context of Marmara and then, will want to see our village being destroyed. I’d be? It is said 340 meters length, 48 meters and relatives in your neighbourhood and comment on navigation in line with the like to share the difficulties that we have as width, 15 meters draft. These dimensions around you. The earthquake is at our door data that I have. local people with you. Firstly, dust falling equal a ship between 8000 and 8500 TEU. and unfortunately we haven’t learned how on us has become a daily routine for us It means 50% to 60% more goods per ship, to live with earthquake for 20 years. Only The Canal Istanbul Project must completely since the construction of the new airport and, with less waiting time in Ambarlı port, painful experiences will teach us. I thank be taken off the agenda because it will started. It rains mud on us, instead of water. 70% -75% rise in goods movement will take you all. accelerate the death of Marmara Sea. What Storks that used to come to our region every place in total. Who will primarily benefit I expect from everyone is, even if we can’t spring do not come any more. Did we block from this increase? It is beneficial for do what is necessary for Canal Istanbul their migration routes or did they find a those who control the international trade, Project, we should do it for Marmara Sea. better place? I’ll leave the discretion to and we see the signs of it. At the moment, Süheyla Bayrak As many scientists state, Marmara Sea is you. The wild goose, which are permanent extension, expansion and deepening about to die because of a multiplicity of guests of Istanbul’s only water source the works are being carried out in 1-2 ports in polluters. If Canal Istanbul is built, River Terkos lake, are absent, too. Most of our Constanta, one by the European Investment Hello, my name is Süheyla Bayrak. I Danube will follow the coastline and crop is rotting on the trees and the rest is Bank and the other by DP Port. Again, a am a geo-morphologist. I can say that I then flow into the Canal where the flow consumed by the creatures whose living similar work is underway by the world have not come across any information is faster. The materials that are collected spaces were sacked. We now have to live too giant HPM Port in Georgia’s Poti Port. The about the geomorphology in the dataset there because of shallowness will go in close to hungry foxes, hedgehogs, wolves, coincidence is that the measurements on Canal Istanbul Project. It is not the Canal. If the flow rate is cut, a part pigs and many more. Since wetlands dried exactly match the declared measurements possible for geologists to exercise their of these materials will settle where they up, we are struggling with a very strange for Canal Istanbul. The large main line craft just by looking at location. They are but most of them will be carried into type of mosquito. They are like ghosts with ships that I have just described go to the need geo-morphological information as Marmara Sea anyway. Some people claimed no sound or visibility. They suddenly sting Poti Port mostly, but as a result they deliver well. Likewise, geo-morphologists need that the Canal will decrease the number of and disappear. The places they sting get goods to our coaster fleets too and our ship scientific data presented by geologists. dangerous passages. very itchy and they leave a very bad scar. owners get their goods to the Black Sea. If Geomorphology is a branch of science that I have been living here for fifty years and we open the canal, the main line ships will examines the geographic formations that I am sorry to ask that but I have to: do we

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 126 FORUM SPEECHES 127 have an oracle here? Do we know which 75 to 100 billion TL with national budget. Romania is almost complete. They placed Today sister Mücella said something very ship will have an accident and where? When you put together the budget deficit fixed radars fort the control of the missiles, beautiful: “The cost of nature is not zero”. Let’s suppose that we directed 40% of the in 2009 with 175 billion TL stipulated in the the shells of missiles and launchers. It really is not. With the projects; the third ships to the Canal, do we have a guarantee budget law of 2020, you will see that the After this was done, Russia warned the airport, the bridge and northern highway, that the remaining 60% will not have an money to be spent on budget deficit will be United States, because among the shells millions of trees were cut down. In our accident in the Bosphorus? If we control above 300 billion TL. Therefore, there is no in Romania, there are cruise missiles calculations we saw that just for the third the navigation on a scientific basis and likelihood to carry out such a huge Project modernized by the US. Tomahawks were airport, 13 million trees were massacred. complete the insufficiencies of our control with the national money that doesn’t exist. installed nuclear warheads. Because What I mean is, it is not just the trees that system and regulate the navigation on the Let’s talk about the foreign financing now. of the installation of nuclear missiles, are being destroyed with these projects, it basis of weather, the accidents will cease The credit default swaps of the important cancellation of intermediate-range nuclear is a big ecosystem. The living space of all to exist. Accidents are not only subject to institutions that assess the credibility forces treaty came to the agenda and the the living things is being destroyed. They statistics. If you take the right measures, of the countries identify 400 as the base Americans had to give up the project. So, are becoming homeless with these projects. you will decrease their possibilities. Some point for Turkey’s credit default swap. This the Americans have to protect this base in Our struggle remains to be human centric people claim that with Canal Istanbul, our point is 2 for China. In summary all the Romania. They can only do that from the almost all the time but we should keep in city of Istanbul will become a world brand. countries would give loans to China without sea. As a counter measure, Russia installed mind that the owner of nature is all the We have to consider the well being of our hesitation because there is a a guarantee Alexander missiles in Crimea and declared other living things alongside humans. This people resorting to the considerations of of repayment. Yet, no one is providing that in case of a threat they will launch is why this struggle is important for all the brand. Thank you. credit to Turkey with that 400 base point. them. The Americans aim at keeping the creatures. The fire in Australia massacred Therefore, Turkey will not be able to secure Russian bases and launching pads between 8000 koalas, an endangered species. In foreign credit. I am one of those who think Moscow and Black Sea under pressure northern forests there are many creatures that this Project will never come out alive using Tomahawks. For the United States to that are endangered. We have to grow this because there is netiher money or credit. protect these bases and when necessary, struggle for all the creatures. Oytun Güventürk Yet, certain things will be done for a show hit the Alexander missiles of Russia, it because the promises made. Then, there is must be able to maintain its anti-ballistic I will touch upon another issue. You know the constitutional dimension of the issue. ships, cruisers and destroyers in Black that the environmental plan of 1/100.000 I am Oytun Güventürk from Hiking Istanbul Sea. This is where the problem is. For scale is pending and it will be taken down initiative. I would like to ask a question In the afternoon session Mr. Rıza Türmen this to come to life, Montreux Convention as of January 25. Someone mentioned a rather than presenting a commentary. You pointed out to this issue. Article 43 must be nullified. The main aim of Canal petition. We have to proceed fast on that know, in many works that we do, foreign of the Cosntitution has a purview on Istanbul Project is opening the Montreux as well. All the official institutions must countries feel entitled to warn us. Good or the protection of coastlines, lakesides Convention to international debate and file complaints separately. Because every bad, they express their opinions. I wonder and sea shores. In brief, this ariticle eventually nullifying it. I salute you with administrative court may have a different why these countries are silent on Canal states; “utilizing the coastlines can only respect, thank you. verdict and this is how we can have break Istanbul. Or are they really silent? May be regulated in public benefit”. This thorough in the legal system. This is why I be their voice is not reflected onto us. Or clearly indicates that before putting any invite all the institutions file a complaint. they may be silent because they are parties Project about the coastline into force an This is all I have to say and I appreciate the to this Project? I would like to hear the amendment on that article must be made. Ayşe Yıkıcı efforts that you put into this. answers to these questions if there are any. It is the judgement of the Constitution. Thank you. This is why the ÇED report, which was made before the amendment on this Good evening everyone. I am Ayşe Yıkıcı article automatically, becomes null. All the from the initiative, North Forest Defence. Eren Onur relevant institutions should file complaints It would like to state that it is great to see a Haluk Dural in administrative courts with the local authority by our side in our struggle justification that “The ÇED report is void”. that started in 2013 against the third bridge Good evening everyone. After an intense that we call “the murderer Project”. It program we have learned a lot. We have Distinguished participants, I am Haluk On the security dimension of the issue, shows the level of our expansion. I would all taken it to the level of conscience why Dural, secretary general of National Center Admiral Türker gave detailed information. like to thank the management of Istanbul we should reject this Project for all the Platform. In valuable sessions we have I want to make a small addition to that. Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) for giving scientific and economic reasons. Most of had the insightful takes of experts in every United States of America is opening anti us the opportunity to stay together in this us actually had this in our conscience and dimension. I don’t have much to add to ballistic missile bases in two countries struggle. As North Forest Defense, we had this is why we are here. From this point what we have been told. But, I would like in the scope of Europen Missile Defence hit the road to resist every Project that on, we should discuss how to organize to state my opinions in brief. The first one Project. One of them is by the Baltic foresees zoning of the northern forests. and resist. On the face of a political is about the financing of the Project. As a coastline, Poland, the other one is the When the Canal Project came to agenda in stubbornness which says, “I will do this former expert of State Planning Agency, I Deveselu base in Romaina. Construction 2011 as “the crazy project” we said what we whether you like it or not” we have no can say this clearly. There is no possibility of the base in Romaina is being delayed had stated for the airport and third bridge other option but promote the concept of of carrying out such a project that will cost dues to Russian pressure but the one in projects. This too is a murderer Project. participation that has been emptied out

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 128 FORUM SPEECHES 129 anyway. What makes participation possible Koray Türkay and agricultural fields. Yet, what I want to University. This coal, unfortunately is is to act in an organized manner. I believe, ask is something different. We will do what very rich in terms of toxic elements such at a time when they started talking about we can against this destruction. While we as; arsenic, uranium and nickel. There is taking the issue to referendum, it would Hello everyone. I am Koray Türkay from do what we can and fight against Canal no information on how this waste will be be suicide for us to go to referendum with “Either Canal or Istanbul Coordination”. Istanbul, can we also work for a start a new destroyed, it is complete enigma. Every such a state of organization. For this reason We have been informed greatly during the Istanbul in all these three ecological areas? place that this waste will be stored will we have to employ all the organizational sessions today. The information is of great The academics are saying that the Marmara work like a time bomb. The major cause of power that we have to inform the society value in our struggle against this Project sea is dying. It is, and we can’t drink the problems that the villagers face near on this issue. There are two legs to this. The of pillage and destruction. This Project of fresh water. We just take bath with it. The the third airport is the waste dumped back first one is social organization, that is to pillage will create an immense dsctruction agricultural fields are dying too. Therefore, in time without any processing. Therefore, say, creating channels through which the in economic, ecological and social terms. Canal Istanbul is a murderer Project that this waste should also be kept on the relevant information could be dispersed in We need to do some readings in political will drive the last nail into the coffin of agenda. society. An important prerequisite to this is terms. Today, this palace regime, one-man these three fields. In the fight against these the people who have this information should regime, the dictatorship sees the opposition nails, there is a negative side to just saying The second issue that I want to touch upon be organized. For this to become possible, bloc as the greatest danger. The street “no”. While we have IMM that struggles on is that the rumour has it that this waste will people with technical know-how and opposition that has been on the rise has our side against Canal Istanbul, can’t we ask be stored near Yalıköy on Black Sea coast. scientists should get organized. For example manifested itself in the ballot boxes in the for a clean drinking water from the tap? Or As you all know this region has the best raw I am an architect. We need to discuss how we local elections and the candidate of this can we ask for a waste recycling facility for material of glass both in Turkey and the can promote the information that we have in democratic bloc won in Istanbul. That is the waste of Istanbul rather than dumping world, the pebble stone. We as the Chamber architecture, planning and design through why this democratic politics and its bloc the trash into Marmara Sea? I believe, we of Geology Engineers are against wasting our mechanisms of complaint. Thank you. is the biggest target of the palace and its can promote the idea of ecological Istanbul such a beautiful raw material. government. So, in organizing this struggle, against their Canal Istanbul. If we can we should prioritize a joint struggle, a side start cooperatives with the villagers on One last point, distinguished participants, a by side stance. Another important issue is the projected field of Canal Istanbul and canal is being projected and see how heated Ahmet Saymadi we have to spend utmost attention to avoid transfer their products into the low income the ongoing debate is. Küçükçekmece confronting with each other. This is the segments of Istanbul, if we can provide lagoon is the result of an extraordinary biggest political trap that is waiting for us. drinkable clean water to homes, we can balance that formed in millions of years. Hello dear friends. The panels indicated that In both political terms and tha capacity to prevent this Project and kick start a new An enormous heritage that consists of the Project that is brought to the agenda by act together, we are the stronger side. We ecological Istanbul. sea, creek and lake is called a “geological the AKP has nothing reasonable or logical. should turn this power into an advantage heritage”. This heritage is a key issue on the We have to keep this projet on the agenda and out an end to this darkness. First of agenda of many institutions including the until the AKP regrets and retreats, that is all, we have to quit asking for referendum. UNESCO. So, it is an extraordinary resource until they say, “we have been cheated, we Instead, we should promote early general Yalçın Yüksel that we should protect with utmost have made a mistake with this Project”. We election. That would be the only antidote to attention. Therefore, an unjustified Project have to show Istanbulites what kind of a the political trap that I have just mentioned. filled with multiplicity of hesitations cannot treason this is if we do not stop it. This is of The Canal Istanbul Coordination that I would like to start with thanking Istanbul ne allowed to destroy Küçükçekmece Lake. necessity. is constituted by 110 institutions and Metropolitan Mayor and his management I salute you all with respect. many individuals who stand side by side team on behalf of Chamber of Geology The panels indicated another issue as well. nominates itself to disperse the perspective Engineers Istanbul branch for putting We are right in our resistance to Canal that came out today in this workshop to together such a scientific platform on Istanbul all the way, but do we have what it every square and neighbourhood of this which the issues of Istanbul are being Uğurcan Bayer takes? Are we strong enough? This is what we country. We will either win this struggle discussed in an unbiased way. Mr. Naci have to see. This is not only a legal struggle, altogether or we lose it again altogether. Görür expressed our perspective as geology we have to bring people together everywhere Thank you very much. engineers very clearly. There are some I am also from Terkos and sister Zehra in Istanbul and inform them. When a missing points and I want to touch upon pretty much said what I would say. Yet, bulldozer enters the field where they will them. We have all heard that all day today. there are many things to be said. I would build the Canal, all the people of Istanbul There will be 2 billion cubic meter solid like to touch upon an issue on seismicity should know why it does so. Once they know Zafer Ülger waste. What is the quality of this solid waste which was slightly ignored in the sessions. that, the people of the city will certainly then? I want to make an addition to what About 16 million officially and from what prevent it. We can call this workshop as the lady from Durusu said on that issue. we observe, about 20 million people are a “beginning of a struggle against Canal Hello. I am Zafer Ülger, from the Başlangıç Distinguished participants, the solid waste waiting for an earthquake. This city cannot Istanbul”. This is just the beginning. Keep on Collective. In this workshop we have will come out from Danışmen formation discuss this Project. There is no possible resisting my dear fellows. become aware that with this Project, where the coal processed in Thrace basin. way to discuss it. Our priority has to do destruction will come in three ecological I know the coal from Thrace very closely. with taking measures for the earthquake. fields: Marmara Sea, fresh water reservoirs I advised a thesis on that issue at Istanbul What kind of measures? We have discussed

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 130 FORUM SPEECHES 131 it yet we did not go into the management cannot carry it out. The people of Istanbul Now look into what we are discussing entrusted to us and we are responsible for of an emergency situation. Let’s talk about should indicate very clearly that they don’t here and now. Would this canal crack or our future. As a priority, we, as the youth, the emergency a little. The professors all want such a Project of looting en masse. I explode during an earthquake? Rather want the formation of working groups who conveyed it. None of us experienced a night believe, tens of thousands of people who than what precautions should be taken would answer to the questions of public or a day in which 50.000 buildings collapsed will stand hand in hand in a chain will have against ship accidents, we are forced to on a monthly basis. We also wanted be altogether. It is ambiguous what kind of an influence both in Turkey and the world. discuss this canal. Whenever this issue enlightened on so-called revenue of Canal reaction we will have in such a situation. Just like Gezi, we have to remove this Project comes to the agenda we should whisper to Istanbul. Alongside that we believe that Imagine, 20 million people, will not be from the agenda never to get back in. ourselves “earthquake” thousands of times there is s need for transparent discussion able to meet their needs all of a sudden. to motivate ourselves. Because some sort platforms and more such workshops must We will be victims of the disaster. We will of horse-dealer game is being played in be organized. We also believe that we must need help. This will create a chain reaction front of us. The number one survival issue talk about Çanakkale (Dardanelles) as which will take down the whole country Murat Cesur of this country is the Istanbul earthquake. well. On page number 155 of Chapter Six and its economy, because the people who One third of GDP and 20% of the overall on ÇED report it is stated that with Canal will be in need of help will be in enormous population is concentrated in this city and Istanbul coming into force, the traffic of figures. First of all, Istanbul must be able There is this one man who picked a Stone we are practically saying; ok that is not Dardanelles strait will increase as well. to manage the disaster. What kind of a and said I will throw it. All the scientists enough, “let’s increase the population of the They offer another Canal for Dardanelles disaster planning must be made then? and everyone mobilized to stop him. We are city from 18 to 36 million and created two strait too. If they set out to expand the We should make a planning which allows holding this meeting to prevent this casting thirds of GDP here”. This is the real issue of Marmara Sea then, it should not come everyone to go to work the next day of the of stone today. Because once it is cast, survival. The likelihood of an earthquake as a surprise. I also want to talk about earthquake. If Istanbul stops producing, there is no possible way to undo it. All the in Istanbul is 70% and this earthquake will what Canal İstanbul will take away from we will all bear its consequences. This will scientists mobilized because of the damage destroy one third of human resources of our economy. I served as the president of be totally irreversible. For the earthquake that this Project will create. Back in the the country in the next 30 years. Let us not Turkish Student Senate. We had prepared transformation to be done, the central time again many scientists, politicians and assume any responsibility of that. The real a report with the representatives of 16 budget has to be involved. The people writers warned him about something else survival problem is making Istanbul more provinces and took it to all political parties. who are living under the conditions of but this friend of ours said “I was cheated”. of an attraction point. In the discussions We observed that there is a serious problem hunger cannot pay for this in free market We all know who cheated back then. Later we often times miss the focus of the issue. in our education. With the budget alloctaed dynamics. It cannot be done in 15 to 20 they built the third bridge and third airport. We always talk about the grey areas. We say to Canal Istanbul you can create a huge years with the resources of those people. If Now they insist on building the Canal. Let that there will be environmental damage, awareness in education; you can actually we meet the earthquake with all these risky me tell you something; whoever is telling water reservoirs will get lost etc. Some say create a revolution there. As of today, there buildings, the situation will pretty much be you to do the canal, they are the ones it will happen some say it won’t. The issue are many students who take classes in as I described. I hope we will have enough cheating you this time. We don’t want to be that the scientists agreed upon is this: 50-student classrooms because they lack time for this transformation. governed with such cheated projects and there will be an earthquake in Istanbul classrooms and teachers in the villages policies. There is no chance that you will in the next 30 years. The situation can be of Mersin, Gaziantep and Diyarbakır for cheat us, you are lying just like you lie about resembled to that: Imagine a householder example. Rather than building this canal everything. Passage through Bosphorus is who has a home yet he has sold everything you can invest in these schools. Canal Soner Alkan not free now, there is a passage fee, and at home. On top of that he is in debt. Then Istanbul is a Project that should not be done people have to pay for the services that he receives money from somewhere. What in any possible way because it will not have you get. Istanbul should not be responsible would you expect him to do? He would pay significant revenue. It will create serious “Either Canal or Istanbul Coordination” for your miscalculation. Calculate the fees his debts and secure himself and his family problems not only in Istanbul but also in its called for creating a human chain on both well. Get our money that amounts up to right? Yet, what does he do? He says he will hinterland, because Istanbul should never sides of Bosphorus against this Project 0.17 grams per ton. We are keeping you buy a Jaguar. be considered as a local matter. It is not just on January 19. Let’s support this protest accountable whether you get that money or a locality in Istanbul, it is a capitol. as much as we can. Let’s just remember not and we will keep doing so. Thank you. now. About 6-7 years ago, during the Gezi Protests he said; “Whatever you do, this Zana Gümüş Project will be carried out”. Does anyone Metin Düzgit even talk about it now? Yes we have given Turgay Mahmutoğlu lives to it we have had many people injured Dear participants, hello to all. I am Zara during the protests but that Project was Gümüş and I am here on behalf of Istanbul A while back, a friend asked a question. removed from the agenda. There is no It will be a kind of repetition but what if I Youth Studies. As youth we organized a Why do foreign states have a say about the barracks there now. Gezi Park lives on. tell you this: “there will be an earthquake workshop on Canal Istanbul on January projects that are done in Turkey? We get These meetings are very valuable and we in a minute”? What if we receive the news 4 and we expressed that we want to have their negative assessments from time to need more of these to enlighten ourselves that there will be an earthquake in a minute, a say as the youth on the future of this time but they did not say anything about further. But we have to take these ideas what would we do? We set out to protect city. We produced solution proposals. Canal Istanbul. I believe there is a critical to the masses as well. With just these we our own life and the lives of the loved ones. As Mayor İmamoğlu said, this place is issue here. Since the 14th, 15th centuries,

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 132 FORUM SPEECHES 133 whoever ruled the seas ruled the world. Obviously they want to have an alternative Meftun Gürdallar Kaya Enişte Since the end of 15th century when the canals which will allow NATO ships pass Ottoman Empire ruled Mediterranean easily. Why is Russia silent then? Well, and Black Sea, to 1520, there were two Russia too has different ideas. Russia too Good evening dear friends. I am Meftun Good evening everyone. I would like to big empires that ruled the world. One of wants to get big ships pass through straits. Gürdallar, a mechanical engineer. I am a start with thanking Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, them is Spain and the other is Portugal. Both sides, in line with their own interests, former secretary general of my province in the metropolitan municipal mayor, all the Portugal took over everywhere from Brazil want to get their ships pass through. Yet, Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers staff members of municipality and all the to some parts of China. It still lives on the it will be us who will suffer from that. We and Architects (TMMOB). If you remember, other brothers and sisters who made this wealth that it made through colonialism. better keep that in mind. there were talks with a Malaysian company workshop possible. I salute you with love Spain, as you know, took over everywhere when Necmettin Erbakan was the Prime ans respect too. in American continent except for Brazil. Minister. The municipal mayor of Istanbul Then Netherlands took over that role. Then of the time, now Mr. President, had said Let me share an anecdote. It was around we saw the rise of England. After England Oğuz Kılıç “building a third bridge on Bosphorus is 1973-74. The event took place at the lost power with the Second World War, a treason it is a murder”. He had set up architecture faculty at the university in the United States became the hegemonic Istanbul Metropolitan Planning Office Innsbruck. Our professor told us a story. I power. The English, when they were strong, Dear landowners of Istanbul, there are and employed about 400 architects and am trying to give you an example on how supported us as in the case of Russians thieves in our houses. We kick them out engineers. We wanted to get information on Europeans see their assets of culture and defeating us in the war that we call 93 War, from the doors yet they want to get back in where the third bridge would pass through. art. In 1940s, there are four legendary coming all the way to the Gates of Istanbul from the chimneys. My late mother used to The response, back in time was, “there is architects; Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig in Yeşilköy and going back without taking say; “winter will act like a winter and the not third bridge among our plans”. But two Mies Van Der Rohe, Walter Gropius and over the city. The reason for that was that thief will do what thieves do”. We kicked months after that, Mr. Erdoğan hopped Le Corbusier. The issue is about Venice. the British cannons positioned themselves these guys out from the door on June 23, on a helicopter and said, “Let the third Venice is under water as it is today and they to hit the Russian army to protect the but they are still trying to get in from the bridge pass through here”. All of a sudden decided to set up a commission to save it. balance back in time. The ultimate aim, chimney. Therefore, if they are ever able the started building the third bridge and Different architects from around the world back in time, was not letting the Russian to do what thieves do, the responsibility talking about the third airport. They said are invited and asked for their opinions. Le go through the Bosphorus. Other than will lie with us, the landowners. I have a no tree would be cut down and no zoning Corbusier heads the commission; therefore carving up the Ottoman Empire, the whole proposal. Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul would take place. Today we started seeing he has the last say. Everyone speaks their First World War was about attaining the Metropolitan Mayor hosted us very well and towns forming around the third bridge. mind about Venice. Some recommends control of the straits in Istanbul. As the we have all observed that they put together Millions of trees were cut down. When partial destruction some recommends case was, despite we signed the Lausanne a very nice workshop. I appreciate that. we had meetings with the management restoration. Le Corbusier takes the Treaty in 1920 we did not get the control of As a citizen who participate this meeting of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality microphone, there is absolute silence. Bosphorus for 13 years. Was it over when from the district of Beylikdüzü, this is what they just listened to us without saying In brief he says that he went over all the we got the control? No. In the Second World I suggest. As if they are selling real estate anything and noted under the decision projects but none of them proposed a War, the issue of straits became a matter from simulation, these guys are trying to documents; “these decisions were made better Venice. From that day on not a single of threat as well. As it happened, after the sell Canal Istanbul on television to the in the presence of Union of Chambers of nail has been driven in Venice. Speaking ending of manoeuvres in the War, Stalin people of Turkey. Not with simulation but Turkish Engineers and Architects. Now, of him, the same Le Corbusier described asked for the straits. What happened then? with real trips, we must bring people who I am feeling utmost joy to see Istanbul Istanbul as the greenest city of the world Our country had to pick a side, which until do not know where Küçükçekmece or Metropolitan Municipality is hold rational with a lot of trees. See how Istanbul turned then we did not have to. As we were in the Arnavutköy is, to the Project area. It will meetings with architects, engineers and out to be today. In the sessions they said Western alliance, we became a member not be possible to do it without skipping scientists. I appreciate the effort very much. that in the case of an earthquake the state to NATO. What I am trying to say is Stone on Küçükçekmece Lake, not without However, we are up against a person who Canal will easily be damaged and the that the Boshporus is a strategic matter for seeing the goats that are being milked, not said the third bridge is treason to Istanbul ships will have accidents in mush easier Turkey. You have listened to many speeches without touching people there. Only when and then built it himself. We are up against fashion there. What, then, will happen if today. What you must remember, even if we step on to the soil, we would appreciate someone who said; “tall buildings are these possibilities take place? Will they you will remember crumbs of information, that soil. Even the people who live in these treason to Istanbul, we committed treason”, say, the Canal is blocked so let’s open the it must be that the Montreux Convention regions are not aware of the danger. People and then keeps building them. We are Bosphorus? Will we use Atatürk airport if is very important for Turkey. Even if it will know as much as they hear in the teahouses placing ourselves at the forefront to prevent the third airport does not work? We say “no” bring the slightest risk to the continuance and sports clubs ro what they hear from yet another treason by him. We have to to Canal Istanbul. Let me end my words of Montreux Convetnion, this Project must the columnists. My suggestion for our do anything possible with a common with one last sentence. We have lost our be thought over multiple times. Of course, municipal mayor and his team is that they mind to prevent this Project. Thank you social sensitivities. We should promote the the economic and environmental sides of should organize ring trips across the Canal all very much. We will win this struggle, issue in the public and resist as much as the issue must be evaluated separately. But to show people of Istanbul what they have dear friends. Either Istanbul will win, or Mayor İmamoğlu. We have to walk together this is an existential matter for our country. to lose. Thank you. Istanbul will win. in this. It is great to have you. Have a nice For some reason, neither the United evening. ■ States nor the West do speak on the issue.

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 134 FORUM SPEECHES 135 CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 136 FORUM SPEECHES 137 POSTER EXHIBITION

Current Situation Water Land History

Project Information General Information Environmental Issues

Proposal A liveable Istanbul with 100 Billion Turkish Lira Green Development Corridor

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 138 POSTER EXHIBITION 139 Water Water Terkos Dam and Sazlıdere Surrounding Dam and Surroundings

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 140 POSTER EXHIBITION 141 Water Water Küçükçekmece Black Sea and and Surroundings Marmara Sea

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 142 POSTER EXHIBITION 143 Land Land Land Use Basic Information Livelihood

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 144 POSTER EXHIBITION 145 Land History Problems Küçükçekmece of Rural Lake and Neighbourhood Surroundings

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 146 POSTER EXHIBITION 147 General General Information Information General Land Exchange Information

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 148 POSTER EXHIBITION 149 Environmental Environmental Issues Issues Environmental Disaster Risk Issues and General Information

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 150 POSTER EXHIBITION 151 Environmental Environmental Issues Issues Excavation Transportation

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 152 POSTER EXHIBITION 153 A liveable A liveable Istanbul with Istanbul with 100 Billion TL 100 Billion TL Social and Urban Urban Services Transformation

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 154 POSTER EXHIBITION 155 A liveable Green Istanbul with Development 100 Billion TL Corridor: Transportation Liveable Settlements

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 156 POSTER EXHIBITION 157 Green Green Development Development Corridor Corridor Local Tourism Economic Development

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 158 POSTER EXHIBITION 159 Green Development Corridor All Suggestions

www.kanal.istanbul

CANAL ISTANBUL WORKSHOP REPORT 160