Plans for the Harbour

[kalkan4eva]

Very thought provoking and measured piece on KTLN today regarding the plans for the harbour.
www.turkishlocalnews.com


Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=11833.0

[Lizilu20]

Yes I've just read it. It's certainly helped me to understand why these plans have been put in place. I hope the architects manage to balance the need for a harbour area that is usable and accessible for everyone without having to pay for a drink to enjoy the views and still retain the quaint charm that is there now.
Really  hope that mussaka and fener don't go though. I wonder what the plans are for the area where aubergine and trio etc are now? Will those restaurants manage to stay?i couldn't really tell from the plans.

[brian j p]

the article on KTLN is simply excellent . It is  informative, balanced  and gets right to the point or should I say points,  I agree with everything they  and the architects say

[amber]

The challenge is to retain the specialness (is that a word) and charm of Kalkan.
Make the harbour a place that everyone can enjoy.Not to create a concrete jungle and ensure that whatever is done is properly maintained, summer and winter afterwards.
Its a lovely village and not a holiday camp!!
The architects are good and I love the buildings they have renovated.They live in one of those and have worked hard to retain its original character whilst moving with the times.
I still have lots of reservations about the new plans but I suppose its clouded by things like the gully from the town to the beach,the planning and workmanship of the road works and the belidiyes ability to maintain any new harbour layout on an ongoing basis - time will tell.

[DRBD]

Amber have to agree with you there. We sat on the harbour area yesterday morning in the brilliant sunshine & just took in what is there now & what the planners have in mind. The harbour area has become a bit of an unkept jungle over the years with the restaurants stealing more & more of the area, in some cases making it rather unpleasant to even have a quiet walk down there, even yesterday we were cornered for "taking a drink with us" call. It does need to be tidied up & appreciate the planners thoughts.  The beach yesterday was occupied by many dogs & there was a large amount of dog mess over the area, there were families on the beach as it is a school holiday here, so not a healthy area to be on really. Kalkan is not just a tourist town, it is the home to a great many people both Turkish & foreigners.

 The main thing is keeping it as they have in mind, the maintaining of it all year round, perhaps coming under Kas will make a difference but that will only happen if whoever is 'in the chair' in Kas is the right person.  Kas harbour area always seems clean & tidy even in the winter months, Fethiyes new area seems to be the same.

Time will tell....................... Lets get the roads dealt with first.     

[Christina]

I do agree with everything that has been said on the forum so far, and after reading the excellent report by KTLN, I have a far greater understanding of, and sympathy with the plans. The architects seem to have a great deal of local credibility, and I hope with my heart that if the project goes ahead, the outcome is an enhancement rather than an eyesore.

It is interesting though, that even the architects themselves have reservations about the execution and on-going maintenance of the scheme, over which they have little or no control, and cannot be held responsible. They say in the KTLN report:

'When it comes to the implementation of the project, honestly again we have similar concerns to those expressed by KTLN readers.  This part is out of the control of the architects, unless supervised by them, and the process will be defined by relevant laws about construction tenders.

However what we can do is to keep monitoring the process and try to intervene where necessary. These interventions will have more strength if the public also owns the project and aims to prevent any applications opposing the project's decisions.  For this reason, our urban design proposal has been discussed in four open public meetings, promoting various perspectives.  As far as I remember, there were no English people present, probably because they had not been informed.'

So it looks as if we are all expected and encouraged to play a part by having some 'ownership' of the scheme, and it would be great to have a process or a vehicle through which public opinion could be represented. I'm sure we all have our own personal wish list for the new project, but here is mine:

- Transparent and fair tender process for the construction works.

- Absence of any of the Butlin-esque playground equipment which currently blights the conservation area by the olive groves on the gulley pathway to the beach.

- Professional horticulturalists involved in the planting and maintenance of trees and shrubs in the 'green spaces' - unlike the current neglected area behind the beach.

- Benches that are made out of wood, rather than the Coca Cola-sponsored benches seen elsewhere in the town.

- Ban on scooter boys using the public areas in front of the restaurants as a racing track.

- Regulation of street 'hawkers' - by this I don't mean the well-known local figures who might wander from bar to bar with a basket of nuts - rather the opportunist mobile stalls which I saw in the old town last summer selling flashing headwear and other gimmicks that wouldn't be out of place on Blackpool's Golden Mile.

- Daily sweeping and hosing down of the extensive public plazas to remove dog ends and dog mess.

- Daily emptying of public bins.

If these ambitious plans are to go ahead, the execution and on-going maintenance of the project are critical to its success.

[joycie]

I know when Bri was in hospital in Fethiye last year I spent a fair bit of time walking into town along the walkway. It has been done beautifully bars etc but not in your face and wooden seating some covered for shelter from the sun. It was lovely to sit down and watch the gullets come and go and I'm sure if Kalkan is done to the same standard there will be no probs. it really was a pleasant place to stroll along.

[Babs]

Here's hoping your right joycie! Christina......I would go along with your wish list. If this is done right it could provide a lovely area to walk and watch the boats.......if not done sympathetically it could be an eyesore!

[kags]

Thanks plans are thought provoking,I have holidays in Kalkan twice a year for over 15 year's, and parts of the harbour area have become over run with restaurants.
As for the new public areas maintaining them must be a high priority.......or.......They will become a dogs toilet for street dogs and owned dogs alike ......just as the beach area and gardens behind the beach are and will be for years to come unless controls are made and enforced.......I now avoid these areas as a result of the dirt and dogs.