Ankara, April 27 – Sermet Severöz, an Ankara resident, has launched a social media awareness campaign after breaking his nose in an accident involving a pruned tree left on a pavement in the Çankaya district. Severöz, who fell while walking on Kudüs Street, is highlighting the widespread issue of irregular pavements and accessibility challenges in the capital city.
Accident Highlights Pavement Hazards
The incident occurred in January when Severöz was walking towards Panora Shopping Mall on Kudüs Street. He tripped over a pruned tree branch left on the pavement, resulting in a fall that broke his nose. Employees from nearby restaurants and cafes came to his aid, and he was subsequently hospitalized due to the severity of the fall and the risk of internal bleeding.
“I found myself on the ground in an instant after tripping on the pavement. I fell hard, and doctors kept me under observation for a while due to the possibility of internal bleeding. My nose was broken, and I went through a very difficult process and operation,” Severöz recounted. He noted that leaving pruned trees on pavements has become a common practice in Ankara.
Following his accident, Severöz contacted the municipality. Although the pruned tree was replaced with gravel, he emphasized that this was only a minor improvement. “After I fell, they put gravel in place of the pruned tree, which is, of course, a bit better than the first situation,” he added.
“Ankara Pavements” Campaign Gains Traction
In response to his experience, Severöz initiated the “#AnkaraKaldirimlari” (Ankara Pavements) campaign on social media. The initiative aims to draw attention to similar issues across the city and has garnered significant support from his followers. “Now, many people around me, my friends and family, are looking at the pavements more carefully,” Severöz stated.
A key point of contention for Severöz is the bureaucratic red tape he encountered when trying to address the problem with local authorities. “When I apply to the municipalities, I constantly get the answer ‘that is not our responsibility.’ One says ‘Metropolitan Municipality,’ the other directs me to the district municipality. However, as citizens, we do not have to know which pavement belongs to which municipality. This is not our job,” he asserted.
Ankara: An Inaccessible City?
Severöz further highlighted the broader issue of inaccessibility in Ankara, particularly for visually impaired citizens. He cited examples such as the yellow tactile paving lines on Ziaur Rahman Street, near Çankaya Mansion, which abruptly disappear after 50 meters. “Ankara, unfortunately, is not an accessible city. Pavements are extremely irregular; you look, and there’s an electricity pole, or a pit. Moreover, these pits are not cordoned off. It is almost impossible for someone walking at night not to fall,” he explained.
To address these systemic problems, Severöz proposed the establishment of a citizen committee in Ankara. This committee would identify problematic areas at regular intervals and communicate these findings to the relevant institutions, fostering a more collaborative approach to improving urban infrastructure.
Call for Action and Future Outlook
Severöz’s campaign underscores a growing public demand for safer and more accessible urban environments in Ankara. His personal ordeal has become a catalyst for broader discussions about municipal responsibilities and the need for integrated urban planning that prioritizes pedestrian safety and accessibility for all residents.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by neglected infrastructure and the critical importance of effective communication and coordination between different levels of local government to ensure the well-being of citizens. The success of the “#AnkaraKaldirimlari” campaign will depend on its ability to translate public awareness into tangible policy changes and infrastructure improvements.
The campaign continues to gain momentum, with more citizens sharing their experiences and advocating for a more walkable and accessible Ankara. The long-term impact of Severöz’s efforts could pave the way for a more inclusive and safer urban landscape for everyone in the capital.
Source: http://mobil.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/ankara/her-sey-yurunebilir-kaldirimlar-icin-43159947
