▼Is the Bodrum tourism bubble about to burst? Aerial photos of Bodrum in 1965, 2005 and 2009 appeared in several Turkish newspapers earlier this month, the comparisons revealing ghastly urbanization (inset). One headline read: Pouring concrete over a paradise. The sense of gloom over the unmitigated overbuilding conveyed by these articles is made worse by the statistics quoted by the current regional governor (kaymakam) of Bodrum who says that last year there were 1166 real estate agents operating here while the total number of facilities offering tourist accommodations was just 736. Clearly the realtors are on the ascendant. This outcry in the media was caused by the national government’s decree transferring construction development planning authority from the local municipalities of Yalıkavak, Gündoğan and Göltürkbükü to the Ministry of Tourism, ostensibly to rationalize the planning process. Concerned residents fear, however, that powerful investors will find it easier to override local interests by dealing with the amorphous bureaucracy of the capital. Once again the locals are taking the case to the courts, but even should they win that does not guarantee that the pouring of concrete will stop; after all, the current sad state of affairs was created by the local municipalities granting too many building permits since that has been their main source of revenue!
╗The newly elected Bodrum municipal council, following in the footsteps of Konacik municipality, has decreed a ban on GSM base station antennas in residential areas of the town, with removal of existing ones to be carried out within 6 months and no new permissions to be granted. The intention is laudable, but in a town where no real zoning regulations exist, with residential and commercial units thoroughly intermixed, the attempt to enforce this ordinance is likely to cause problems…
♫ On Monday, 15 June, at 19:30 hrs, chamber music performance by the international Audubon Quartet will be given at the Bodrum Castle just inside the main entrance, with works by Ravel, Debussy, Gershwin, Piazzolla. Donations accepted at the door to defray costs. ♪ Music lovers are also invited to Dibekli Han in Yaka Köy (tel: 0532-263-8436) for appreciation of the music heritage of various countries. For the complete program go to www.dibeklihan.com ◙ There are many painting exhibitions to be visited in the coming days – exhibits at the Ottoman Shipyard Tower Gallery, Haluk Elbe Art Gallery in the Bodrum Castle, Casa Dell’Arte in Torba, Marina Vista Hotel and Tilsim Shop’n Art Café in Yalikavak Port Bodrum Marina, and the Bodrum Municipal Council Chamber gallery are all worth viewing.