Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the container city of Al-Bustan. (photo: PL)
ANKARA, Feb. 28 (RHC) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today visited the so-called container city of Elbistan, one of those created for earthquake survivors, and called for an urban transformation of the country’s cities.
The president said he was aware of the pain experienced by earthquake victims and stressed the need to stay away from damaged buildings in the area.
In Turkey, the temporary shelters with tents that are erected in the various affected areas to house the victims of the tragedy are called container cities.
For his part, the Minister of Urbanization, Murat Kurum, told reporters gathered in the southern province of Hatay, on Tuesday, that new buildings are expected to be constructed to replace about one and a half million buildings that pose risks in Istanbul.
Kurum said the move is part of a government-led urban transformation project in the earthquake-prone Marmara region, the country’s industrial powerhouse in the northwest.
According to the Director of the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), Yunus Sezer, the latest number issued by the victims of the earthquakes that struck Turkey amounted to 44,374 dead. (fountain:PL)
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