Taksim Square to have trees planted due to locals’ demands, Istanbul Mayor Topbaş says

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Istanbul’s Taksim Square will have trees planted on it due to the demands of locals and despite the fact that the city’s trees generally lack greenery, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş has said. AA photo

Istanbul’s Taksim Square will have trees planted on it due to the demands of locals and despite the fact that the city’s trees generally lack greenery, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş has said.

Taksim Square will be given new trees, social facilities, ground coverings, and similar features, Topbaş told a conference organized by the Marmara Group Foundation in Istanbul yesterday.

“Squares do not have trees, but our people want to have trees in squares. Developed countries’ squares do not have trees, but we will make [Taksim Square] more green by planting trees, installing facilities, and the like. We are not done yet,” said Topbaş.

The Istanbul mayor also defended the controversial pedestrianization of Taksim Square, saying it was “the right project.”

“The work that we are carrying out in Taksim is necessary. The municipality council approved the project. It has been approved by NGOs and universities, which we consulted, as the area is a protected zone,” said Topbaş.

He also stressed that the municipality’s work on the surface of the square had yet to be completed.