Spatial Strategy Planning, which is increasingly on the agenda, first entered Turkey’s agenda in 2018 with the amendment made in the Zoning Law. In the law, the task of making Spatial Strategy Planning was given to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. After that, the work started.
Environmental and Social Policies
The Spatial Strategy Plan is defined as “It is the plan, which is prepared throughout the country and in the regions deemed necessary, which directs the physical development and sectoral decisions by associating economic, social and environmental policies and strategies with the space, and which is a whole with its report”. Many topics such as bringing together sectoral institutions throughout Turkey, agriculture, tourism, transportation, logistics, environmental policies, and water management are discussed together.
target 2053
The plan, some details of which were shared by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, is targeted for 2053. For this reason, it is prepared as a guide and target setting top plan for the various ministries responsible for the administration of different sectors and the plans and strategies they produce. For this purpose, more than 10 meetings with broad participation have been held so far in the studies that started in December 2021 and the sectors have been brought together.
Announced in May
The final version of the plan is expected to be announced to the public in May by the Minister Institution. Following the entry into force of the Turkey Spatial Strategy Plan, the potential of the whole country, from mining to agriculture, will be determined, and which sector will focus on which region will be revealed. Local governments and related institutions will also make sub-plans in accordance with this plan.
The plan, which will affect the 100-year future of 81 provinces, will be revised every 5 years according to the conditions of the day.
Sustainable and Protected Cities
With the Turkey Spatial Strategy Plan, it is aimed to make cities more human-oriented, smart and socio-economically developed. It is aimed to create a peaceful settlement with environmental and social policies, where the city identities and silhouettes are preserved, with a solid infrastructure and a healthy settlement. When this is achieved, flood disasters that hit cities, mucilage polluting the seas, fires that destroy forests will be prevented. At the same time, by creating healthy supply chains, negative effects on human and city life will be minimized when a global epidemic similar to Covid19 occurs. On the other hand, an important step will be taken for “Net Zero Emissions and Green Development” for 2053.
Many Countries Prepared
Countries that have a Spatial Strategy Plan include the Netherlands, South Korea, Germany, China and Norway. Plans are being prepared to predict 50 years ahead.
Meetings and workshops with high-level participation were previously held for the plan, in which academics from Istanbul Technical University also took part. In these meetings, many topics from natural disasters to greenhouse gas emissions, wetland management and integration between settlements were discussed.
