Çırmıhtı On-Site Conservation Platform Brief Statement

"Malatya province, Yeşilyurt district, Roadmap and Declaration of Intent for theUrban Development of Ancient Çırmıhtı…"

After the initial shock of the earthquakes that occurred in February 2023, the question arose in the minds of almost everyone about how to rebuild the towns where they were born and raised, where they played on the streets, went to school, shopped at the market, shared their lives with neighbours, and, in short, formed an emotional bond. How do we know this? We personally witnessed that our fellow citizens, with whom we discussed our concerns after the earthquake, had the same concerns.

The Government must be making plans about rebuilding the wreckage left behind by the earthquake, but questions such as “What will this plan look like? Will it be in the right location? Can we maintain our neighbourhood relationships, and preserve our historical and cultural characteristics?" have been nagging at our minds. Could we provide answers and contributions to these questions?

Destruction was significant, but could we turn this into an opportunity?
Could we ultimately turn what seemed like a calamity into a blessing?
Could we leave our heritage of generations, our history, and our culture?

With this in mind, on April 11, 2023, the Yeşilyurt Mutual Aid Association, local authorities, various nonprofit organization presidents of our town, and capable individuals who could contribute to this process came together, and the "Çırmıhtı Urban Development Council" was established, setting out on a long journey.

Depending entirely on the efforts of local residents, our organization, with an initially amateur spirit that evolved into a serious, conscious, stable, and self-sacrificing team is now making efforts to carry out the work. 

Our mission is very simple:

• To ensure the transformation of Çırmıhtı while preserving its historical and cultural structure after the earthquake.
• To preserve the demographic structure and pass on the neighbourhood and community culture to future generations.
• Ultimately, to create an attraction center and ensure the return of our fellow citizens who had migrated outside the city.
• To facilitate young people's connection to Çırmıhtı through their participation in this process.
• To create a micro-level exemplary project for "urban redevelopment in place" after disasters.

The framework of what we wanted to do was outlined:

• To plan and design Çırmıhtı in line with the determined goal.
• To design different types of housing projects that preserve the historical and cultural architectural features and also meet modern needs.
• To design and implement spaces that meet the community's needs and cultural characteristics.
• To design and implement structures that educate the community and contribute to the creation of a proper climate.

Criteria were set:

• Building the community in a positive way
• Earthquake-resistant
• Attached to historical and cultural heritage while meeting modern needs
• Aesthetic
• Functional
• Environmentally friendly and respectful of the environment 

Our values (the Ethics of the Road) were determined:

• Determination - Continuity - Patience (The path that lies ahead of us is challenging. But we are responsible for this journey, not just the victory!)
• Contentment should be observed (In addition to being content with what is rightfully yours, there should be no envy when your neighbor has more)
• Sacrifice - Dedication (You should be willing to give up your rights when necessary.)
• You should have no expectations or demands for your own benefit.
• Must be within the bounds of reasonableness (Projects and demands should be within the boundaries of feasibility and manageability)
• Positive contributions should be made or silence should be maintained
• Consent should be sought (Rights should be respected, and actions should be taken with attention to what is permissible and forbidden)

Based on these values, five different topic headings and working groups were formed:

• The urban planning process (plan - project and construction process)
• Project financing
• Economic development
• Ensuring the participation of all segments of the community in Çırmıhtı's urban processes
• Rebuilding of minds
   

Here, we want to emphasize the fact that "rebuilding minds is more important than the architectural reconstruction of towns." The destruction was huge and the calamity was immense, but we believe that this catastrophe was a result of a long-lasting chain of negligence, we cannot help but ask ourselves whether we need to start with self-criticism, identify our mistakes, and make a plan and effort to change them. We believe that everything begins in thoughts and ultimately transforms into reality, and ultimately destiny.

In this context, we believe that designing and building structures that educate the community and contribute to the creation of a proper environment is very important, and As Muslims, we believe everything happens for a reason."

With unity and togetherness, ensuring the participation of all stakeholders, embarking on serious work, proper planning, perseverance, and determination, with the permission of Almighty Allah, we will achieve results. Even if we cannot reach the set goals, we set out with the thought that "we will have the moral satisfaction of having determined our path like an ant."

Yes, we are embarking on a new journey...

• We set out on a journey to turn the saying "The earthquake is a great destruction, but it's also a great opportunity" into reality...
• We set out on a journey to turn what seemed like an evil into a blessing...
• We embarked on a journey to leave our heritage to our generations, our culture, our history, and our dreams...

COME ON, ÇIRMIHTI, TOGETHER WE CAN...