"The importance of preserving Kadim Yeşilyurt's historical and cultural structure and passing it on to future generations..."

February 1, 2024, Thursday

The importance of preserving the historical and cultural structure of Ancient Yeşilyurt for future generations...

On February 1, 2024, a meeting was held under the auspices and organization of Yeşilyurt District Governor Kutsal Baytak, attended by Yeşilyurt Mayor Mehmet Çınar, Malatya Provincial Director of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Cengiz Başer, neighborhood muhtars, heads of civil society organizations, members of the Malatya Local Associations Federation, and Çırmıhtı Urban Planning Council members.

At the meeting, held at the Yeşilyurt Municipality Gedik Cultural Center, updates and discussions were provided on the post-earthquake work and zoning processes in the central and rural areas of Yeşilyurt.

Participants agreed that preserving the historical and cultural structure of the Ancient Yeşilyurt region and passing it on to future generations is a significant and necessary matter for Yeşilyurt, Malatya, and Turkey's cultural heritage.

The decisions made are summarized as follows:

ÇIRMIHTI (Hamidiye, Hıroğlu, Mollakasım Neighborhoods)

• It was decided that the transformation of Çırmıhtı's historical and cultural structure should follow a two-phase roadmap.
  • The first phase involves determining the boundaries of the area proposed for designation as a reserve and seeking opinions from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change (ÇŞİDB). An area has been identified and sent to ÇŞİDB for review, with political follow-up and support being noted as crucial for a swift and positive outcome.
  • The second phase, after the region is declared a reserve, involves focusing on zoning that fits the historical and cultural structure of the area.
• To facilitate this urban transformation, it was decided to seek ÇŞİDB’s opinion on designating the land in Mollakasım Neighborhood, Parcel 315, as a reserve area. Mayor Mehmet Çınar emphasized that this land should be exchanged for a suitable alternative.
• It was agreed that buildings in this region should be a maximum of three stories.
• To contribute to the declaration of this area as a reserve and to help small parcel owners become homeowners, a request form specifying Parcel and Block information should be filled out and submitted to the Malatya Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Muhtars will manage this process, particularly with small parcel owners.

GÜNDÜZBEY

• It was mentioned that the area with registered buildings in Gündüzbey should be designated as a reserve area by the Ministry of Culture for transformation in line with its historical and cultural structure.
• Additionally, efforts are underway to include areas with significant historical texture under the reserve designation.
• For this urban transformation, parcels 0 Block 4228 and 4229 have been identified as reserve areas, and citizens are to fill out request forms accordingly and submit them to the Malatya Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

BANAZI (KONAK)

• It was decided that the Kadim settlement area in Banazı, including its square, should be designated as a reserve area and worked on to fit its historical and cultural structure, similar to Çırmıhtı and Gündüzbey.
• The reserve study is underway for the land in Yeşilyurt Konak 0 Block 5587, and request forms from citizens are being collected, with results pending.

KILEYİK (YAKINCA)

• The Kadim settlement area in Kileyik, including its square, should also be designated as a reserve area and worked on to fit its historical and cultural structure.
• The use rights for the treasury land in Yeşilyurt Yakınca 526 Block 1 are held by Malatya Metropolitan Municipality. It was decided to discuss with the Mayor of Malatya Metropolitan Municipality about designating this land as a reserve for Kileyik and Barguzu.

BARGUZU (BOSTANBAŞI)

• The Kadim settlement area in Barguzu, including its square, should be designated as a reserve area and worked on for transformation in line with its historical and cultural structure.

OTHER DECISIONS

• It was decided that decisions from these meetings would be communicated to citizens through muhtars.
• A committee comprising muhtars and NGO representatives from the Bağ Villages Council will be formed to support inter-institutional information flow and process monitoring through their visits.
• Muhtars who could not attend this meeting will be contacted to elect a representative to participate in the process.
• It was also decided to hold a follow-up meeting one month later to monitor the decisions taken.