"We Are Ready and Determined for Stable Growth and a Strong Melikgazi": Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Palancıoğlu Unveils New Vision Projects for Melikgazi

Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Palancıoğlu, who has pioneered projects serving as examples for many municipalities in Turkey, has introduced his new vision projects for the upcoming term.

After successfully serving as mayor in Melikgazi for a term, Mayor Palancıoğlu, nominated again for the new term, has revealed the projects he plans to implement between 2024 and 2029.

"We Are Ready and Determined for Stable Growth and a Strong Melikgazi"

In the 2024 local elections, Mayor Palancıoğlu, crowned his 5-year roadmap with the slogan "Target 2029 Melikgazi," based on the vision of "Turkey Century." He stated, "We will work with all our might to serve our people and lead our district into the future with a transparent, participatory, sincere, and honest management approach, as always. With humility, sincerity, and effort, we will together build the Melikgazi Century in the new term. Primarily, I express my gratitude to our esteemed Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Mr. Devlet Bahçeli for nominating Melikgazi again. I hope that together we will achieve the best results on March 31, starting with our Metropolitan Municipality. In the past 5 years, we have provided Melikgazi with 21 schools, 15 libraries, 15 family health centres, 15 social facilities, 18 mosques, 9 Quran Courses, 270 new parks, 3 million square meters of green space, and 600 kilometres of new roads. With urban transformation, we have gained brand new neighbourhoods for our district. We have preserved our past by restoring many historical artifacts, especially Gön Han and Köşk Medrese."

Melikgazi Mayor Palancıoğlu, highlighting the theme of "First," emphasized the municipality's priorities and its commitment to placing people at the forefront of its projects. He stated that while tasks like road construction, school development, park maintenance, and asphalt paving are fundamental municipal services, it is equally important to focus on the well-being and future of the community.

Mayor Palancıoğlu stressed the significance of prioritizing aspects such as family, individuals, youth, employment, industry, tourism, agriculture, and commerce in the city's development plans. He emphasized that neglecting these essential elements while shaping the city's infrastructure could ultimately lead to the deterioration of its future generations.

Furthermore, Mayor Palancıoğlu expressed the municipality's dedication to urban transformation, announcing plans for the construction of 10-story buildings in Melikgazi. He highlighted ongoing and upcoming urban transformation projects in neighbourhoods like Yıldırım Beyazıt and Çorakçılar. Additionally, Mayor Palancıoğlu spotlighted the Bahçelievler Housing Project in Altınoluk Mahallesi as a significant architectural endeavour for Melikgazi, featuring innovative elements like solar panels and a rainwater collection system on its roof. He also mentioned the municipality's intention to promote horizontal architecture in various parts of Melikgazi.

Overall, Mayor Palancıoğlu's remarks underscore the municipality's commitment to holistic and people-centered urban development, ensuring that Melikgazi continues to thrive and evolve sustainably while meeting the needs of its residents.

Mayor Mustafa Palancıoğlu highlighted the transformation of Gön Han and Vezir Han, two iconic locations in Kayseri, emphasizing that their revitalization will create two cherished spaces for the city. He mentioned plans to restore Urgancılar Market and establish a connection with Kazancılar Market. Furthermore, Mayor Palancıoğlu expressed the municipality's commitment to enhancing the historical and aesthetic appeal of the city center through various initiatives.

Mayor Palancıoğlu also announced the construction of Melikgazi Congress Centre, which will serve as a venue for numerous events, contributing to the city's cultural and social vibrancy. Additionally, plans are underway to develop a location near the Technopark with suitable architecture and functions that befit Kayseri.

One of the most exciting projects mentioned by Mayor Palancıoğlu is the Camp Centre planned along the Erciyes road, featuring 50 bungalows, meeting rooms, and restaurants. This centre will host group activities and camps, adding significant value to Kayseri.

Mayor Palancıoğlu also highlighted the importance of Dâhiler College, a boarding school aimed at nurturing intellectually gifted students with national and spiritual values. This collaboration with TÜZDEV will potentially shape the future of Kayseri through the brilliance of its students.

Moreover, plans include the establishment of a 24/7 library and a Knowledge Commercialization Centre (BTM) near the entrance of Erciyes University, aiming to enhance the city's intellectual and economic landscape. Mayor Palancıoğlu expressed hope that this centre will contribute to increased value and exports for Kayseri.

Children's University, Nature-Themed Parks, Indoor Sports Centre, Nazmi Toker Fine Arts Workshop, Pastrami-Sausage Workshop and Museum, Health Tourism Campus, and More...

Continuing to list people-centered projects, Mayor Palancıoğlu stated the following:

"We will establish the Children's University project to help our children discover their talents. They will explore themselves through various educational activities and programs here. We will prepare these children for success in life. We will create three Nature-Themed Parks and Recreation Areas. We will design Kırlangıç Valley similarly to Koramaz Valley. In Küçük Kızıltepe, there will be a beautiful social facility and a restaurant where we will offer Kayseri cuisine."

We will build an Observation Terrace. With our Indoor Sports Center, sports clubs will not need to search for venues. Through our Nazmi Toker Fine Arts Workshop, we are creating a sophisticated centre where education is provided, workshops are conducted, and exhibitions are held in Kayseri. Our Pastrami-Sausage Workshop and Museum project will certify the culture of sausage making and pepper paste. Visitors from outside Kayseri will learn and witness how pastirma and sucuk are made, hopefully sustaining Kayseri's tradition in pastirma and sucuk. Our Health Tourism Campus will feature polyclinics in 12 different fields such as dental, ophthalmology, hair transplantation, aesthetic procedures, and dietetics. This will introduce health tourism to Kayseri. With Atölye Melikgazi, we will introduce a venue where women can sell their handmade products, supporting our female artisans. Through our Bayat-Bat Bit Bazaar project, we will elevate our existing Bit Bazaar in the Eskişehir Vineyards Area into a more qualified market, transforming the area into a desirable destination. Given the vast wedding traditions in Kayseri, we will construct a Wedding Bazaar at the heart of the city, adding a different dimension and enabling local artisans to engage in wedding-related commerce. We will establish a Street Animals Village for the sterilization, rehabilitation, and ear tagging of our street animals, which are our beloved companions. We will construct open-air social facilities in the Eskişehir Vineyards Area and rural neighbourhoods. Our Ortaköy Street project will offer delights like baked potatoes, waffles, and halva, allowing people to enjoy pleasant moments. We are striving to lead Melikgazi into the future with much more.

Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç also delivered a speech, saying, "Mayor Mustafa has presented projects with a visionary approach that will contribute not only to Melikgazi but also to our city in general. Indeed, these projects will add significant value to our city. May God bring them all to fruition. The Metropolitan Municipality stands in full support. May God further strengthen our unity and solidarity."

Chairman of the Grand National Assembly's National Defense Committee Hulusi Akar stated, "I am very happy to be from Kayseri and to see these developments. I thank everyone who has contributed to our city.

Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki, who participated in the promotional event via phone call, stated, "I have been following Mr. Mustafa for years. May Allah bless him. We all witness his honesty and hard work. I hope that if the people of Kayseri give him the opportunity on March 31, like my other colleagues, I vouch that he will exert all efforts. I wish our dear brother Mustafa Bey success. We are by his side and ready to do whatever it takes.

AK Party Vice Chairman Mustafa Elitaş stated, "Mayor Mustafa Palancıoğlu presented a beautiful project overview of what he has accomplished and what he plans to do in the next 5 years. I thank him very much. Continuity in service is important. For years, there has been consistent service in Melikgazi. The work and projects our mayor has undertaken are very commendable. It is crucial to have places where people and the city can breathe. I wish success to Mayor Mustafa and all candidates from Allah.