Güzelyurt, which is as beautiful as its name
Once region of multiple deprivations,
now 'Economical Development Region'
Güzelyurt Economical Development Project, which was prepared with the attempts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, targets at the not only economical but also social development of the region which remains idle for long years. With the success of the project, the migration movement is expected to revert from the region.
Güzelyurt, which is located at the west of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a very green settlement area which is surrounded by citrus plants from all sides. Thanks to the productivity of earth, in addition to the citrus fruits orange, tangerine and grapefruit, a lot of fruits and vegetables are raised in this region. Moreover, according to the opinion of some people, the most delicious citrus fruit products of the world are raised in this area.
Güzelyurt, which is as beautiful as its name, owes its presence to these delicious products as well. Saying more accurately, it owes its presence up to today to this. Because, not making the sufficient investments in the gardens, not benefiting from the new technologies and the direct commerce prohibitions put on TRNC threaten the citrus fruits production. As the citrus fruit production is getting more and more unproductive, the producers can stand only with support of the government.
“Yes, mommy”
While the regions Girne, Mağusa and Lefkoşa continue to develop with the resources which are created by the tourism and construction sector, Güzelyurt could not get its share from such opportunities till today. Because the city center is very inside from the sea, there is not any substructure for the coastline, the region is far to the airport and the transportation is not easy, Güzelyurt relatively became a region of multiple deprivations.
Güzelyurt, in which the population is mostly composed of the Cypriote Turks coming from the South after the year 1974, became one of the idlest regions of the island as a consequence of the negligence which has continued for long years. Young people of Güzelyurt that are deprived of the social opportunities, job chances and consequently of a secure future found the way to go to the developing regions such as Girne and Lefkoşa. Thus, the region started to give migration with very high proportions.
When the Annan Plan was put on the agenda the people of the region, which got tired of living without any solution, set their hopes on this plan. In spite of the fact that Güzelyurt was one of the regions to be abandoned in the Annan Plan, they did not give up their hopes. In any case, the people of the region that experience a migration in the year 1974 said that “All we need is a solution; we are ready to migrate once again”. However, “Yes mommy” cries were surpassed with “OXI” from the opposite side, their hopes were broken once again.
Solution that born from lack of solution
The date 24th April 2004 on which they approached the solution very much became the day on which they suddenly felt the lack of solution deeply in their hearts. However, their “Yes” was not wasted in any manner. Because somebody in somewhere considered it as a duty prevent the belief for solution to turn out to be nothing after listening their wishes for solution carefully.
Hasan Fındık who is the undersecretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Housing remembers these days as follows; “As you know, the region from which the yes vote is obtained for the Annan Plan was Güzelyurt. When the day 24th April could not be a solution, we started thinking as “what could we do for these people?” It was not good for our government to keep Güzelyurt out of the investments, to deprive it of them and to disregard the population continuously escaping from there. As a result, we started to look for something.”
Actually, the starting point of the search which is mentioned by Hasan Fındık traces back to time before 2004 April. When it was put on the agenda the matter of establishing a campus in the island by Middle East Technical University (METU) which is one of the most respectful educational institutions of Turkey, it was decided to select an underdeveloped region rather than the regions that already achieved a trend of development. The project named “Güzelyurt Economical Development Project” was started to be detailed after ODTÜ settled in Güzelyurt.
Tourism, agriculture, education and construction
The project which targets at benefiting from the experiences of ODTÜ up to the final point was established on four fundamental supports. Hasan Fındık explains these support points as follows: “We see that a population will come here with ODTÜ. We said we should do something here together with this coming population. What could be done? First of all, the citrus fruits sector continues here, citrus fruits sector is in the 1st line, Lefke Europen University and ODTÜ have campuses here, so the education sector is in the 2nd line. And of course there is tourism which is the primary sector of the country. Lastly, the construction sector comes as one of the greatest powers in the development of our country. We have established a four-base development plan, by means of taking into consideration the aforementioned points. Tourism, agriculture, education and construction...”
The most appropriate area for the project was found in the land which goes along the sea from the western section of ODTÜ campus. It was planned to open a connection road to the sea from the present road coming to Güzelurt from Lefkoşa and Girne and to continue this road along the coastline from the sea to Gaziveren River. It was also targeted to bring infrastructure on the places through which the road passes and thus to form the tourism investment areas.
However, the password became “planning” when taking all these actions. In any case, that reason of not laying any foundation until today within the frame of Güzelyurt Economical Development Project is this sensitivity. In any case the project plan is undertaken by EBİ which is a corporation bound to ODTÜ Foundation and it is being waited for all of the details to be clarified to take the concrete steps. The road construction will be started just after the plan which is prepared by EBİ, and the 1st stage which contains the tourism development region, residences to be given to young people and the connection roads is completed. While the authorized officials dwell upon details of the project, if you want, let us look at these essential four headings briefly.
Tourism investments which lie inside the nature
The most important economical foundation of Güzelyurt Economical Development Project is the tourism base of the project. The first stage of the Tourism Investment Area which starts in the end of the 7470-metre long road that descends from ODTÜ to the sea and extends to the south along the coastline comprises a huge land which is composed of 2008 acres. This land has two important characteristics: First is that there is not any land which belongs to Greek people in the investment area. Although the authorized officials that started to look for the land for this project say that they do not perform any discrimination between the Greek property-Turkish properties; it is still so obvious that this characteristic of the land will with bring some advantages.
Thus, not only the speculations to be made from the international area could be prevented, but also it is possible to use this situation during the resource studies. In any case, it is already known that the European Union makes contribution to such developmental projects and this support depends on performing some conditions.
However, it is not possible not to agree with the following opinions of Hasan Fındık who is the undersecretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Housing: We could not make separations as the regions to be left-not to be left; or Greek property-Turkish property in the Annan Plan. You could not say this region will be left in the Annan Plan, so I do not make any investment in this region. Because, there are some services which you should provide to the people living there until the final solution will be attained. You can not say I want to make all of my investments in the places which seem not to be left. We joined a holistic view on this subject.”
The second important characteristic of the land is that, although it is located at the cost of the forested area, it is very arid. That is to say, the constructions to be made in this area could be performed with the minimum damage to the nature. Even, considering that the land will be completely made green, it could be even said that the nature will be richened beyond its optimum protection.
When the region which remained untouched until today is opened for tourism, it is stipulated that hundreds of plants will be started to be operated here. There are all kinds of enterprises among these plants from the 5-star hotels to buffets, from restaurants to cafes. This means some new job opportunities for the people of the region and the social refreshment of the region.
The authorized officials who say that they already took hundreds of applications just now for the Güzelyurt Tourism Investment Area are very hopeful for the progresses. Because the incitement packages will be prepared for the investors that will come to the region, it attracts attention of not only the domestic capital but also the international investors. In any case, it strikes eyes that there are foreign companies among the applications made at present.
ODTÜ: A world brand
The second fundamental support point of the project is the education sector. There are campuses of Lefke European University and ODTÜ in the region at present. The first target is to increase the capacity of these campuses, particularly the capacity of ODTÜ. In any case, the substructure of ODTÜ Kalkanlı Campus which renders services to 450 students now was prepared in the standard to provide services for ten thousands of people. While it is calculated that the campus population will reach six thousands, it is also said that such crowded population will added a great economical and social value for the region.
Prof. Ahmet Acar who is the Founder Rector of ODTÜ Kalkanlı Campus wants to emphasize on this situation. Acar, who says that there are workplaces of 150 persons in the university, is sure that this number will be doubled in the next year. After the campus enters the operation with the full capacity, it is expected that it will create employment for 1000 persons. There are a lot of small enterprises in ODTÜ Kalkanlı Campus from market to fitness center, from bank to canteen; the university also employs lots of administrative personnel.
In any case, the presence of ODTÜ in the region started to be felt from now on. It is seen that some enterprises such as cafes, restaurants and dormitories are opened for the students in Kalkanlı and Güzelyurt, and it is not difficult to estimate that they will also increase as the number of the students will increase. On the other hand, the government is prepared to give incitement to this kind of enterprises in order to ensure that the students that will study in Güzelyurt will be able to reside in Güzelyurt as well.
However, ODTÜ has also other meanings beyond creating employment for the region. ODTÜ which becomes one of the most important brands of Turkey for the gate to the world is, first of all, an organization which produces science. Consequently, even only performing the essential duties will add a great value to the region. Prof. Ahmet Acar underlines this matter as follows: “Of course that ODTÜ will make a contribution to the economy of the region. However, we should also consider its indirect contributions; because a qualified workforce will be also brought here together with the university.”
Prof. Acar states that they perform the counseling services for some projects for the TRNC government right now and they will provide all kinds of their best supports to not only the public but also the civil organizations and corporations. “Performing counseling services and providing all kinds of supports is already one of the reasons of existence of our university, by means of the opportunities of our campus here but also the main campus which is located in Ankara, says Prof Acar, and he also emphasizes that the university will change the workforce structure in the region as well: “It could be said that the sectors which are based on technology will be strengthened here rather than more traditional sectors. In any case, the occurrence of the work areas which create more added values will definitely lead to the welfare and the economical development.”
Citrus fruits, again
Another base of the Güzelyurt Economical Development Project is the production of the citrus fruits. The region which is well-known with its very delicious citrus products, in one of the most productive earths of the island, as we previously said, owes its presence to these products. However, the citrus fruit gardens in acres of lands just become worn out. Not benefiting from the new technologies in the agricultural area and not performing the necessary investments in the region decrease the productivity of the trees day by day.
In the coverage of the project, some measures are considered to refresh citrus fruits production that stands by means of the subventions that are provided by the government. Some incitements are getting prepared for the citrus fruit producers to perform necessary substructure investments, to renew the trees and to benefit from the new technologies. At this stage, ODTÜ has a crucial mission on this matter.
Ahmet Acar, the Rector of ODTÜ, is aware of this mission of his university. Acar, reminding that ODTÜ does not have a faculty of agriculture, says that “But, we have programs on the subjects of biology and genetics”. Acar states that the experiences and knowledge build-up on the subject of biology and genetics could be transferred to the agriculture sector and says that “We have also a powerful operation and economics build-up. In addition to this, it is possible for us to be a portal of the specialization which we do not originally have. We may make contributions to brining the specialists here from Turkey or from third countries. We do not do much different thing in Ankara as well.”
On the other hand, it is known that the hotels, restaurants and similar enterprises to be established and operated in the region within the coverage of this project will nee tons of vegetables and fruits. It is planned to cover this need from the region, as Güzelyurt passes to the watery agriculture. The authorized persons even say that this need is in as high amounts as it could not be covered from the agricultural areas in acres of lands in Güzelyurt.
In summary, it is seen that the agricultural production which has an important place in the past history of Güzelyurt will protect its importance in the future of the region.
Construction sector will reach huge dimensions
The last and maybe the most fundamental base of the project which targets at enlivening Güzelyurt and to bring action to the west site of the island is the construction sector. It is not necessary to say that a lot of tourism investments which take part in the coverage of Güzelyurt project will be performed by the contractors in the island. The revival of the region may start this very moment thanks to the constructions here during the three-four years period of time which is needed for taking the mentioned tourism investments into operation.
The duty to be carried out by the construction sector in Güzelyurt will not be limited to tourism investments only. It is stipulated to build more than 1500 residences on the land that is separated in the region for the young people of Güzelyurt. The authorized persons, saying that they have encountered an excessive demand after announcing that land will be allocated for young people, already took more than 3000 applications. This demand indicates that the residence need of the region is very high and there is a great potential for the new projects.
Of course that the activation of this potential will give rise to the activation of the region in terms of the construction as well. Consequently, it is in question for the construct-sell sector which is intensified particularly in Girne to be shifted here as well.
In addition to this, the private student dormitories and similar small enterprises will ensure the revival of the construction sector and actions in the region together with the construction sector.
On the other hand, it is known that the construction sector activates a lot of sub-sectors as well. Hasan Fındık who is the undersecretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Housing states that the construction sector triggers about 62 sectors, according to the opinion of some people, and further says that “The construction sector will reach huge dimensions here. Because the construction sector will be carried to here, the by-sectors will also come here. For example, the enterprises which sell materials to the sector will also open stores and offices here.” Fındık, who emphasizes that some incitements will be given to these sectors, the industrial regions and the small trader estates will be formed up in Güzelyurt.
Güzelyurt enlivens right now
The development plan which his planned for the Güzelyurt region is a very considerable project which is shaped on these four fundamental points. The most important purpose of this project is to spread the social and economical development of the Northern Cyprus to the entire country and to stop the migration which started from the region; and even to revert it. Hasan Fındık who says that “It is the most important thing to revert the population while economical development plans are made” states that this is the greatest target for them.
One of the most important preconditions of reaching this purpose and to conclude the project successfully is taking the support of the people in the region. There are a lot of examples of the economical development plans all over the world and the support of the people in the region underlies behind the main reason behind the successes of these examples.
In this meaning, it seems that Güzelyurt Economical Development Project took the support of the people in the region. It is even possible to say that the project started to activate the region from this very moment. Ahmet Acar who is the Founder Rector of ODTÜ North Cyprus is one of the persons that witnessed this revival most closely. Although he prudently said that “Changing the structure of a region and feeling the consequences of the development takes a very long time”, he does not hesitate to add: “But I see that a feeling of confidence is obtained till this moment. Frankly speaking, I can feel that the economy which has been idle for a long period of time is enlivened.”
Acar who says that it is possible to see the change and moves experienced in Güzelyurt and kalkanlı also states that some of the workplaces owners agree with the same opinion.
Many things will change in 5 years
Of course that, it is not possible to reach success with the Güzelyurt Economical Development Project only by means of the support of the people in the region. The future of the project depends on a lot of variables and factors. However, until this moment, it is possible to say that the project advances with the safe steps and a beautiful future is seen for Güzelyurt in horizons. Prof. Ahmet Acar also agrees with us.
Acar from whom we want to make a projection for the next 5 yeas period of time stipulates that a lot of workplaces will be opened in the region in reply to the investments which will be made for the physical substructure and several modern hotels will be able to be opened and operated. As the sectors such as tourism and construction strengthen the by-sectors, he says that there will be considerable changes in the socio-economical structure of Güzelyurt in the next five years period of time. Now, what should be done by all of the authorized officials, investors and the sector representatives is to work in order to justify such stipulations. Because, the success of the Güzelyurt Economical Development Project will make not only the people of Güzelyurt but the people of the entire Cyprus happy.
(Consturction 2006 / April)
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