Land Management-Based Urban Regeneration Strategy: ERZURUM

Mehmet Sekmen, Mayor of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, published his book titled Urban Transformation Strategy Based on Land Management: ERZURUM, in which he elaborates on the process of creating a land use inventory and developing land use plans based on it, a project carried out by the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality.

 Mehmet Sekmen describes the aim and scope of the project, which he defines as "a pioneering and leading work in the history of Turkish municipalities, undertaken for the entire rural and urban areas within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Municipality," as follows:

"Based on the legal and institutional regulations introduced by Metropolitan Municipality Law No. 6360, Soil Protection and Land Use Law No. 5403, and the Regulation on the Preparation of Spatial Plans, studies initiated in 2020 by Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of land management in rural and urban areas across the entire provincial borders were completed in 2023, resulting in the preparation of the '1/25,000 Scale Inventory Study on Land Management and Use in the Entire Administrative Borders of Erzurum Province and the Associated 1/25,000 Scale Geological Survey Report for Land Use and the 1/25,000 Scale Master Development Plan.'

The said study aims to manage lands across the entire province, especially in urban and rural areas, by creating an up-to-date and accurate land information database showing rural properties, based on standard 1/25,000 scale topographic maps. It also encompasses land use planning based on natural threshold analyses and synthesis studies, and the determination of correct and sustainable development strategies for both urban and rural areas. Within this framework, the 'Erzurum Province 1/25,000 Scale Land Use Plan for Land Management' was prepared with the aim of ensuring coordination with all authorized and relevant public institutions and organizations for land use planning.

This study holds importance as a fundamental strategic work for the functionality of the 'Erzurum Land Management System,' which aims to determine areas to be protected and avoided, including rural areas; plan land use; secure sustainable production; develop solutions for improvement; and prepare land policies based on rational land use to ensure urban and rural development.

With the Erzurum 1/25,000 Scale Land Use Plan for Land Management, implemented with an understanding of the Erzurum Land Management System, fundamental sectoral strategies for agriculture, industry, transportation and logistics, energy, mining and geothermal, forestry, and tourism have been determined to enhance sectoral potentials. In addition to these fundamental strategies, urban transformation practices play a significant role in ensuring the correct direction of urban development throughout the province and in organizing planned and livable settlement areas. The correct direction of urban development can only be achieved by identifying suitable reserve areas needed in zoning and urban transformation practices.

Within the framework of "Erzurum Urban Transformation Strategy," implementation-oriented regulations were determined, and a roadmap was created, based on strategies that will enable the transition from the master scale 1/25,000 land use plan to the 1/1,000 implementation scale.

In Erzurum, we are continuing urban renewal and transformation efforts to contribute to the spatial and socio-cultural development of the city by addressing its problematic areas. For our ancient city of Erzurum, one of the crossroads of the historical 'Silk Road,' we have aimed to revive and develop lost economic activities under Turkish conditions based on the principle of civilizational vision, to ensure social integration in slum and risky areas, and to establish socio-economic balance along with both physical and life and property safety. In the developing global scale, countries, cities, districts, and even neighborhoods now win and develop through the 'attraction' factor. This is what we are trying to achieve in Erzurum.

Along this path, we have been carrying out our urban transformation efforts since 2014. In this process, it has become clear that urban transformation must be approached with a holistic perspective, considering its legal, technical, economic, and social dimensions, and fundamental policies and strategies must be set forth for the entire province.

Within the scope of the 2023 vision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, 'Principles and Guidelines for the Preparation of the Urban Transformation Strategy Document' were determined and put into effect in 2019 to guide urban transformation practices. Thus, it became mandatory for administrations at the provincial and district level to prepare an urban transformation strategy document.

Of course, being able to regulate and manage urban transformation practices requires a perspective that can address the issue throughout the province and a series of methods associated with it. In this regard, our Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality initiated the 'Erzurum Urban Transformation Strategy Document' studies in 2023 to serve as a basis for the 'Erzurum Earthquake Master Plan.'

As a result of studies ongoing since 2020, a spatial data and information infrastructure has been prepared for the transition from the master scale to the implementation scale with the Erzurum province 1/25,000 scale land use plan. In line with the strategy plans prepared within the scope of the 1/25,000 scale land use plan, we are making step-by-step progress towards our goals of making Erzurum a center of attraction and a priority liveable city.

Key issues such as urban analysis throughout the province, prioritization of transformation areas, determination of legal bases, management and methods of financing, and determination of urban design principles are important, especially in areas at risk of disaster.

The 'Erzurum Urban Transformation Strategy Document' has been prepared within the scope of the Risky Area, Reserve Building Area, and Urban Transformation and Development Project Area applications carried out and planned by the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality to provide a livable and sustainable urban life in areas that are contrary to zoning legislation, have completed their structural life, have lost their physical durability, are at risk of collapse, have insufficient technical infrastructure, lack recreational facilities, and have ownership disputes.

The Erzurum Urban Transformation Strategy Document Based on Land Management; brings a holistic approach that includes fundamental strategic decisions for urban transformation practices to be carried out throughout the settlements within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Metropolitan Municipality, is compatible with master plans, and is based on value-based transformation. The aim is to ensure organization and coordination in the implementation of urban transformation projects with 1/5,000 and 1/1,000 scale plans at the implementation scale, in line with the 1/25,000 Scale Erzurum Land Use Plan and the associated fundamental strategy plans.”