In the eve of 2009 Local elections, people in the big cities are getting excited. As you can guess, the hard rice will be in Istanbul. Kadir Topbas on one side, strugling with infrastructure of Istanbul but couldn't get any satisfactory results, Kemal Kilicdaroglu on the other side, rating champion and wanted debater...
First of all, I know the problems of Istanbul, since I`m resident in the city. I cannot say I analyze all technical and sociologic problems in the background, but I can analyze clearly appearant problems.
Today one of the biggest problems of İstanbul is traffic. I mean the transportation system insufficiency. Second biggest problem is that the city architectures is worst than imagination. These are mine opinions you can add or delete problems as you wish...
Now, present administration has some sound solution in transportation issue. Completing the metrobuss line between Avcilar-Zincirlikuyu ceased the traffic density in that line. Moreover, connecting metrobuss line to Anatolian side Selamicesme (will be completed before local elections) is another plus. However, will the metrobus settle out the issue completely? This is debatable. This will certainly make some good, but not completely. Anyway, in this kind of highly populated metropolises the traffic problem is never completely settled. Example is Moskov. Metro system is like spider web but the traffic is always unbelievable. Blog readers living there can confirm us. The same situation is valid for most of European metropolises...
There is one problem left, that is, what is the price of these kinds of transportation vehicles. Since, there are a lot of debates on the media and on other areas. It has been said that these imported vehicles are not functioning and their gearbox has been changed completely. I don't know in which extend all these accusation are true, but these are what have been said. I personally wonder, instead of metro why metrobuss has been selected. In fact, we know metro is very expensive but taxes collected from Istanbul can halep to deal with this problem.
In this context, new candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu said that 15 km metro will be completed per year. It is appearant that Istanbuls present sources are not available for doing this. Budged is out of our knowledge but in my oppinion metro should be preferred instead of metrobuss. In fact, there is no difference between metro and metrobuss if we can reach free traffic situation...
Comming to city architectures, it is guessed that 2b law will bring bigger problems. Especially in the urban areas where construction of 3th bridge will make available, should be monitored and proper building should be allowed. But in general, we can say Istanbul is a disaster in the architectures view of point. Ugly urbanization and there are some orderly sites among the mess constartacted. In this way I don't know how we can make our architectural style...
Kemal Kilicadaroglu is shining politician. Some resembles him with Obama... Ratings are high but he also has some negatives.
I am obsessive on art of public speaking. Kemal Kilicdaroglu is insufficient with the speech. Voice control is weak. I wonder how he will give speech in front of thousands. In fact, Kadir Topbas is not that much good but Prime Minister is dealing with all public relation in the party... Although it was not supposed to be so, Davos added some points in the local election to AK party. Even some commentators started to say this time leve of 50 % could be forced...
At this point, the only way for Kemal Kilicdaroglu is open debates. One open debate with Kadir Topbas can change everything drastically. There is no chance this to happen and with all data in hand it could be analyzed that Istanbul stays closer to AK party. But as I said, Istanbul should be considered beyond parties politics. Who ever wins, should deal with the problems of the city...
I wish all success to both candidates...