Poor Planning: A Critical Inquiry of the Artvin-Yusufeli Involuntary Resettlement Process


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TÜRK E., ERKAN G. H.

PLANLAMA-PLANNING, vol.28, no.2, pp.218-235, 2018 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.14744/planlama.2018.36854
  • Journal Name: PLANLAMA-PLANNING
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.218-235
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Dam construction and resettlement operations include the work of professionals of various technical specialties. Large-scale resettlement, planning, and implementation processes can tolerate errors, to some extent; however, errors at critical phases, especially site selection and master plan decisions, can create risks that may evolve into planning disasters. The Yusufeli district in Artvin province has been subject to a resettlement process since 2006 because of the Yusufeli Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant Project, presently under construction. The new location for the town has been selected, land use plans have been approved, infrastructure projects have been prepared, and the Housing Development Administration (TOKI) has issued invitations for tenders for social and technical infrastructure and housing construction in some areas. This article is a critical analysis of the entire process, beginning with the location chosen for resettlement. The findings showed that specific technical operations were not been prepared by teams of competent professionals, locations that do not meet the necessary conditions were defined as alternatives, selection processes were biased and based on subjective evaluations, land use plans prepared for inappropriate land have eroded the application of the principles of planning, construction has occurred independently of the land use plan, and a significantly different lifestyle awaits the local people in the new location. The literature offers lessons to be learned regarding mistakes made in critical phases. Since the desire to implement such large projects will persist, critical insight is necessary in order to learn from past and present involuntary resettlement, planning, and implementation experiences.