Bulldozers begin unpermitted construction in historic neighborhood
ISTANBUL
Photo: İDRİS EMEN
Archaeologists from Istanbul Archaeology Museum have complained after a construction team began working with bulldozers in the historical neighborhood of Ayvansaray without permission from the museum and the Conservation Board, daily Radikal reported today.Ayvansaray is an archaeological site in the historical peninsula, and no construction can be undertaken without official permission.
A group of archaeologists from the museum went to the site yesterday and prepared a report to deliver to the Conservation Board today.
The group said the excavation work not only bypassed the required formal processes but also started over the weekend, which is unusual for such construction sites.
Fatih Municipality declared Ayvansaray as an urban transformation area in 2005 and earmarked 16,000 square meters of land as suitable for construction, which will include the renovation of many historical structures.
The Conservation Board has said the municipality’s plans for Ayvansaray are still being reviewed.
