The 'solution process' has ensured that a social and financial revival is now occurring in Turkey's second-largest city in the southeast, predominantly populated by Kurds.
Diyarbakir, which has been in a state of depressiozn for the last 35-40 years, is now seeing a rise in tourism with 191,975 domestic tourists and 22,800 foreign tourists visiting the city in 2013 according to Governor Mustafa Cahit Kirac.
Kirac told AA that the 'solution process' is the beacon for all their projects in bringing peace, security and improved relations and is attracting investors and tourists to the city. "We are leaving behind problems with the 'solution process'. For the first time, the city spent a year without terrorist incidents. Peace is an indispensable presupposition particularly for tourism, education and health," stated Kirac.
Kirac explained that Diyarbakir is one of the most attractive regions in Turkey in terms of investment potential and it has seen many foreign and domestic entrepreneurs arrive here to speculate on its investment potential.
"We have to promote Diyarbakir to the world. It has a great historical tradition with its famous citadel and ancient Roman city walls, Hevsel Gardens, mosques and Armenian and Syrian orthodox churches remain untainted from terrorist incidents" said Kirac.
-Historical interest
Diyarbakir's 6 km length of city walls, the world's second largest city walls in the world after the Great Wall of China, and the citadel are currently on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
Hevsel Gardens, which covers an area of 700 hectares, has been Diyarbakir's nutritional source since the city was established thousands of years ago. Located on the banks of the Tigris River, it is situated on fertile soil that is rich of alluvium. It is a unique plain that is still under protection. Hevsel Gardens, which still provides the vegetable and fruit needs of Diyarbakir, has already been proposed to UNESCO a few days ago to be included in the World Heritage Site list, Kirac told.
Kirac stressed that if the gardens are admitted to UNESCO as world heritage sites, Diyarbakir's tourism potential will strengthen, adding, "It will also support Turkey in its 2023 vision - Turkey's own goal, at the centenary of its founding. Turkey is the seventh largest tourism destination in the world by attracting 35 million tourists each year. Diyarbakir should gain such success."
-Urban transformation and a new airport in Diyarbakir-
Kirac in anticipation of increased visitors to Diyarbakir states that "this historical touristic city needs an airport with an international terminal." He says that they will build a five thousand person capacity airport to accommodate ten planes concurrently in 2014 with the expectation of having direct flights for foreign tourists.
Kirac also explained that they have been working on a urban transformation project to turn unfunctional areas in the city into places that will benefit the public by building 30 thousand new houses. The project also aims to preserve the nine thousand year old city's ancient treasures and conserve its unique history.
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