Within the scope of the annual 8th of November World Town Planning Day, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Urban Research and Development Centre (URDC) organized a number of activities that discussed the problems of unplanned organization and its possible solutions.
A caricature exhibition was opened on Tuesday, the 7th of November 2017 at the Famagusta Buğday Mosque. The opening speech of the EMU-URDC and Union of the Chambers of Cyprus Turkish Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) Chamber of City Planners collaboration “Cemal Tunceri ‘Urban Issues’ Caricature Exhibition” was delivered by EMU Architecture Faculty, Department of Architecture academic staff member and URDC President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara who indicated this is the third year in which they are organizing an activity on World Town Planning Day. “This year we organized the activity with our partners in order to increase the community interest towards planning.”
KTMMOB Chamber of City Planners President Merter Refikoğlu expressed his satisfaction stemming from collaborating with EMU-URDC. Indicating his aim of developing and continuing these activities Refikoğlu stated: “Because of the state of our country I think the 8th of November should be an opportunity to think, reflect and discuss rather than to celebrate. Refikoğlu noted that we need to discuss why we don’t have pavements, parks, walking and bike paths as well as why we have so many road accidents that lead to deaths.
Urban Planning Office Director Türkmen Yiğitcan drew attention to the level of attention payed to planning.
After the opening speeches, World Town Planning Day Promotional Presentations took place. Former Director of the Urban Planning Office Ertan Öztek delivered the presentation titled “Urban Issues and Bring to Mind” whilst EMU-URDC Board Member Prof. Dr. Mukaddes Polay delivered the presentation “Urban Identity Planning”. The presentations were followed by an exhibition opening and cocktail at 18:30.
Book Launch and Talk:
On Wednesday the 8th November 2017, a Book Launch and Talk organized by EMU-URDC took place at the Famagusta Martinengo Bastion at 17:30 for the books “Gazimağusa: Doğu Akdeniz’de Bir Liman Kenti” (Famagusta: A Port City in the Eastern Mediterranean) written by EMU Academic Staff Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer and “Cep Mağusa” (Pocket Famagusta) written by Serdar Atai, Vice President of the Famagusta Walled City Association. The event that commenced with a musical recital continued with EMU-URDC President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara’s speech that highlighted the importance of the activity.
KTMMOB Chamber of City Planners Board Member Elda İstillozlu touched upon the problems caused by the lack of a plan and the insufficiency of planning tools.
In his speech, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam mentioned his observations about cities and towns. Stating that he resides in the Iskele region, Prof. Dr. Osam focused on his opinions on the area. “This book is very important, I am proud of EMU. I would like to congratulate our professor and thank our university. We have added this wonderful piece of work to the pages of our university.”
EMU Faculty of Architecture, Architecture Department Chair Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı, noted that World Town Planning Day is of great significance. Prof. Dr. Doratlı expressed that they are feeling the sadness of not being able to carry out certain work in a planned manner despite some positive developments.
The event ended with a cocktail that took place after talks from Vice Chair of the EMU Architecture Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer, Architecture Department Academic Staff Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Ceren Boğaç and Serdar Atai. The book launch and talk was also attended by Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Özgür Eren.