Gul decries unplanned Urbanization

Speaking at the Council of Urbanization held by the Public Works and Housing Ministry in Ankara yesterday, President Abdullah Gul decried the ugliness of unplanned urbanization over the last 30 years, and added, "New villas at holiday villages are out of place. Urbanization in cities ruins mental health." Gul said urbanization is an important issue which requires a large vision and that the changes in social life are reflected in the physical structure of cities. In related news, Gul received Council of State head Mustafa Birden, who reportedly invited Gul to a ceremony marking the council's 141st anniversary.