Doğan and the team went along the other night after work and thought it looked really nice.
I have reservations myself.
The huge white expanse of nothing opposite the culture centre which I assume is intended for audience events seating is an eyesore. I wonder how many events there will be to justify such a large area of open space being dedicated to nothing.
I was very disappointed when I went yesterday to see the "park" area which is opposite the Mcdonalds and is actually rather small.
The seating areas all around have no where to plant shrubs in to the ground (being concrete or whatever) to create much needed shade if they are to be useful.
I haven't been in the evening yet and I am sure it is very pretty when all the lights and fountains are working but I observed that already the water was beginning to look dirty.
The shrubs that mimic dolphins and swans etc personally I didn't like and were in need of a trim already. I prefer nature to look natural.
Slightly off topic, a law suit has been taken out against the plans to build a massive shopping centre where the old wholesale vegetable market used to be. Shopkeepers with small outlets in town are rightly concerned that the new shopping centre and the sort of big business that will only be able to afford the rents will keep people out of town and their businesses will suffer.
This is currently a nation where (and I am guessing here) a majority of the population are "shopkeepers" small entrepreneurs, self employed earning a living with little shops and outlets selling all sorts of things from, kebabs, shoe repair, knife sharpening, non brand clothes, household wares, stationery.
I understand the desire for modernization but wonder how the individuals and small shopkeepers will survive once their livelihoods are threatened in the name of progress!
I also wonder how long before the rents of the restaurants and bars along the strip by the culture centre go up!
