6,500 buildings to be demolished in Turkey urban renewal project

Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar made statements on Saturday about a new urban renewal project that will involve the demolition of some 6,500 buildings to prevent deaths due to non-earthquake resistant buildings.

Speaking at a conference, Bayraktar noted the growth of the Turkish economy to a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly $800 billion, and remarked on the high level of urbanization occurring all over the world. The minister also stated that people should be informed about the importance of quake-resistant buildings. «The demolition of 6,500 residences and workplaces will be implemented in 35 cities on Oct. 5, with the attendance of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. After our analysis, we will pay rent allowance to those people whose houses are not resistant,» said Bayraktar.

Adapted from Worldbulletin