Future Campus of Bahçeşehir University in İstanbul Eyüpsultan Faces Rezoning Challenges
In Kemerburgaz, İstanbul Eyüpsultan, a 129,000 square meter area including part of the Future Campus of Bahçeşehir University was declared a ‘reserved building area’ by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanism, and Climate Change on March 6, 2024, and a new zoning plan was prepared. The plan description report indicated that the university buildings on the site were at risk of earthquakes due to being built before the year 2000.
It was noted that some of the university buildings fell within the short distance protection zone of the Alibeyköy Dam basin. Buildings located in the short distance protection zone were said to have a significant polluting effect on the dams that supply drinking water to İstanbul, as water scarcity is a pressing issue in the region.
The risk of earthquakes for structures built before the year 2000 in the planning area, and the fact that some of the buildings fall under the ISKI Drinking Water Basins Regulation, pose challenges for the rezoning and future development of the Future Campus of Bahçeşehir University.
Development Plan for Residential and Commercial Area
It has been reported that a new plan is needed due to the short-distance protection of the area.
74,000 Square Meters Allocated for Housing and Commerce
In the new plan, the part of Alibeyköy Dam basin that falls within the short-distance protection area has been designated as a park. The remaining area has been declared as a ‘commerce and housing’ zone. This means that luxury apartments, residences, and shopping malls can be built in the area. Once the project is completed, it is expected that approximately 1,500 people will live in the area. The construction ratio in the total area of 129,000 square meters is set at 1.10, with a height limit of 5 floors. 74,000 square meters of the area has been allocated for housing and commercial units. The remaining 55,000 square meters will be used for schools, mosques, hospitals, parks, and parking lots.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality: Avoid Adding Extra Burden
When asked for their opinion on the plan, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Department of Urban Planning and Development stated that the plan aims to protect natural and cultural assets and does not impose any extra burden on areas that need to be preserved, ensuring environmental sustainability.
Preserving Green Infrastructure in Urban Planning
Considering the importance of green spaces and population density balance, a new urban planning approach that protects existing green infrastructure was recommended.
Current Situation in Urban Plans
The land is partially located in urban and regional green areas in the 1/100,000 scale Environmental Plan, where development and density are partially controlled, and partially in areas where construction is prohibited. In the sub-scale plan dated 2005, parcels remaining in the ‘Darülaceze social facilities and hospital’ area were declared as ‘social infrastructure’ area in the last amendment in 2016.
