In Uzungol, one of the most important tourism centers of Eastern Black Sea and Turkey, approximately ₺50 million will be spent for the infrastructure and superstructure works carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality.
Trabzon Metropolitan Mayor Zorluoglu said in a statement to AA reporters that Uzungol is one of the Turkey’s most important tourism destinations.
Stating that Uzungol is visited by an average of 3 million people annually according to 2018-2019 statistics, Zorluoglu said that the majority of the visitors are from the Gulf countries, which constitute the predominant part of the city’s tourist range, and they mostly prefer Trabzon to see Uzungol.
When this is taken into consideration, Zorluoglu emphasized that Uzungol should be rejuvenated in all respects, and protected like a diamond, and he stated that they continue to work in line with these thoughts as the Metropolitan Municipality.
Expressing that they have carried out many works in Uzungol since the day they took office, Zorluoglu said that the first stage of the work was carried out with the financial support of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and it started last year.
Zorluoglu emphasized that within the scope of the first stage, which costed ₺2 million, the walking path was made worthy of Uzungol, the guardrails were renewed, new green areas were created, and many more infrastructure works such as sewage and drinking water were completed and put into service.
“We will complete the works in 6 months”
Stating that they are working on the project of the second stage, Zorluoglu said that they recently made examinations and held meetings with the officials of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
Saying that they are planning to complete the project of the second stage within a month, Zorluoglu added, “The second stage is a much bigger project, so it is incomparable to the first stage because we will demolish some of the structures around the lake in the second stage. We will make the area around the lake much more spacious and much more comfortable. There are occupations on the Public lands around the lake, we will remove them. There are private properties in some places, and we will remove them from there through zoning or expropriation.”
Stating that Uzungol’s conservation plan has been suspended and the objections are being evaluated, Zorluoglu continued as follows:
“Thus, we removed the reproach that has been going on for years, ‘There is no development plan, therefore illegal construction happens’. We designed the second stage of our project based on 18 applications in the zoning. We are gaining a much larger area around the lake and completely eliminating some illegal structures there. By expropriating some of the non-illegal buildings that exist on private property, we want to transform the surrounding of the lake into spacious areas where much more comfortable activities can be done and visitors can benefit from them without any obstacles.”
Zorluoglu stated that within the scope of the second stage, all roads and pavements from the entrance to the exit of Uzungol will be overhauled, some landscaping will be made and the lighting will be changed.
Pointing out that the look of Uzungol will change with the innovations to be made, Zorluoglu said, “When the project is completed, we plan to start the tender the second stage in February. When we start, we will complete these works in a period of 6 months. Towards the end of 2021, I hope a brand new Uzungol will be at the service of our nation and visitors.”
The cost of the second stage works is approximately ₺40 million
Stating that it is necessary to demolish a little bit to change the look of Uzungol, Zorluoglu made the following assessment:
“There will be no reconstruction in the places we will demolish, these areas will be presented to the benefit of the citizens as green areas. There will be sitting areas and viewing areas. Wherever you go around the lake right now, someone comes to you and says, ‘What would you drink?’. We are establishing such a mechanism around the lake that people will go, sit, rest and no one will come and say, ‘What would you eat, drink?’ We will make this happen in Uzungol.”
Expressing that they estimate that the cost of the second stage will be approximately ₺40 million as it includes expropriations, Zorluoglu said, “There will be an investment of about ₺50 million in Uzungol, most of which will be covered by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.”
Drawing attention to the fact that the Metropolitan Municipality started to exist physically in Uzungol for the first time, Zorluoglu said:
“At the beginning of works in Uzungol, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization allocated the large area belonging to the public to us. We made arrangements there by spending about ₺1 million. We are opening these places to citizens, so we are trying to keep it as a green area, but it is also an area where we have small businesses. Therefore, the Metropolitan Municipality will exist more in Uzungol, both as an operator and as a regulatory and supervisory organization.”
Stating that there was no Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Police in Uzungol until today, Zorluoglu said, “Metropolitan Municipality Police will work 24/7 in Uzungol in 2021. We are trying to establish a business quality and price standard there. On the one hand, our police will also work in terms of illegal housing and the control of tradesmen. I hope, as from 2021, Uzungol will be a place where more people will love to go.”
Source: AA / Translated by Bazaar Times Team