A Concrete Pavements Seminar held at Van Metropolitan Municipality

A Concrete Pavements informatory seminar has taken place at Van Metropolitan Municipality, with the participation of Mehmet Emin Bilmez, Van Governor and Deputy Metropolitan Mayor.  

In the seminar where Prof. Dr. İsmail Özgür Yaman, Middle East  Technical  University (ODTÜ) lecturer; and İsmail Bulut, CEO of Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association, made representations, information concerning various issues like the difference between hot asphalt and concrete pavements, superstructure cost analysis, pavement resistance, climate factors, and supply-demand status was provided. In the presentations made as accompanied by cinevision, it was also stated that bitume, which is the base material of hot asphalt, is imported and that concrete is a domestic product. In his speech following the presentations, Mehmet Emin Bilmez, Governor and Deputy Metropolitan Mayor, said that concrete pavement works implemented in the various provinces of Turkey and the world can also be used in Van. Stating that concrete pavements are more cost-efficient, Governor Bilmez said, "However, it is necessary not to see the issue emotionally. Concrete pavements must be addressed to also in terms of their scientific aspects. The friends here might try it if they have the means to do so and then hopefully it extends in the course of time. When the issue is viewed also in terms of its dimensions of reducing the foreign-dependence of the sector and opening more fields for the cement industry, it appears that this endeavor is extremely important. This seminar is being held here upon our request. Our friends will be informed more by asking questions."  

In the seminar held at the Convention Hall of the Metropolitan Municipality, Muhammed Fuat Türkman, Edremit District Governor and Deputy of the Secretary General of Metropolitan Municipality; Erciş District Governor and Deputy Mayor Nuri Mehmetbeyoğlu; Saray District Governor and Deputy Mayor Mehmet Halis Aydın; Muradiye District Governor and Deputy Mayor Erkan Savar; Başkale District Governor and Deputy Mayor Asım Solak; Özalp District Governor and Deputy Mayor Abdulkadir Çelik; Tuşba Mayor Salih Akman; Gürpınar Mayor Hayrullah Tanış; Ülker Cem Kaplan, General Manager of Van Water and Sewage Works (VASKİ); Assoc. Pof. Dr. Ali Özvan, Vice Secretary General of the Metropolitan Municipality; Chairman Consultant Assoc. Pof. Dr. Mucip Tapan, and the heads of respective offices participated. The seminar ended with the questions and answers section.