Merhaba
Seven weeks ago at the end of June, before I left for a month abroad, I promised to get an audience with the Mayor Mutlu Ulutaş Bey on my return. I wanted to air my concerns, which many of you share, about illegal building. You can recap here if you like https://savekaskalkan.net/a-letter-to-the-mayor/
So on 9th August, one week after my return from the UK I pitched up at the Belediye in Kaş and asked to see the Mayor. I said that he was expecting me which was not strictly true. I had tried to make an appoinment for five weeks ahead before I left for my holiday but it had not been one of my successful Turkish conversations.
Well, the very pleasant receptionist phoned the Mayor, who was in a meeting. He asked her to send me up to the Water Company (ASAT) offices and he would see me after his meeting.
Having finally tracked down a backroom office above the ASAT office (With difficulty! I was wandering around in a fog of Turkish for a while) I was ushered to a seat, offered a çay and told the Mayor would see me soon. As one hour turned to two and then three, I reflected on the word soon. But his staff were very good, bringing me tea, water, practising their English and telling me that Mr Mayor would be available soon.
I was not going to go away at any price, having got this far. And after three hours I was shown in to a more spacious office where an aide was sitting. Soon Mutlu Bey came in. He greeted me. I have met him a couple of times before although he did not appear to remember me. He is an imposing, charismatic man who could charm the birds from the trees. I was aware that I might be putty in his hands but, hey! Do your best.
I explained that many foreign residents and visitors are concerned about these issues: widespread unlicensed construction and unregistered tourism in the mountains resulting in inadequate infrastructure, water shortages, increased landslip risk, fire risk, destruction of traditional housing, damage to soil and agriculture fılan
Belediye Başkanı “Well let’s work together. You can help us by reporting problems.”
Me “I have already been to see you twice to report illegal constructions and spoken twice to the Director of Town Planning, and visited the Zabita offices twice. Nothing has changed.”
Belediye Başkanı “What are you expecting from me then?”
On one level this seemed a surprising reply as clearly I want the law to be enforced. On the other hand, and with reflection, it at least there was no pretence that there was no longer a problem and that unlawful building had been stopped. Which had been the response on previous occasions.
We all know that is not going to happen. The problem is complex. Tourism is where the money is not agriculture. Villagers want to cash in their land and use some of the proceeds to build a rental villa or two (or often three) for themselves. Of the 54 areas (mahalle) in Greater Kaş area only Kaş and Kalkan Centres (Merkezi) and the Kooperatif area in Gelemiş (Patara) are open for planning. Which means it is illegal build or no build. Those are the difficult options. What I think we need is controlled, planned and regulated development supported by a clear vision for the development of tourism in the Kaş area.
Is that shooting for the moon?
They say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. So I made a simple reply.
“How about you come and visit me in our home in Islamlar? You can see how things are and discuss the issues on the ground?”
His reply took me by surprise
“Do you have good coffee?”
“What? Turkish coffee?”
“No. Filter coffe.”
“Indeed I do. Fresh arabica beans.”
“OK. I will come. Here is my mobile number.”
With that we exchanged WhatsApp mobile numbers and I promised to send an invitation.
We did also talk about the type of building, the unwelcome nature of big developments by outsiders as opposed to small scale construction by locals. But basically this is what I went away with; an agreement to visit (which I have subsequently suggested to be in October). Nothing more.
So I am not going to wave my phone and say “Peace in our time” as Neville Chamberlain at Croyden Airport. I have probably achieved nothing. But I reckon that if I am to make any progress it will be through trying to get Authority onside rather than standing outside the tent peeing in. Well maybe a bit of that too.
We will see how things proceed. In the meantime I will be continuing to work towards sustainable tourism and protecting the environment in this turquoise and pleasant land.
If this widespread unlicensed destruction goes on, it will end in tears
