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In 1980 he left Istanbul and settled in Içmeler village near
to Marmaris.He stayed there for ten years practising as an
architect and also setting up Marmaris’ first ever ‘apart hotel’.
During this period he saw tourism bring rampant development
to the coasts of the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and realized what a disaster
this was in terms of the environment and the social and cultural life of local
people.
Also during this period he became involved with various
environmental organisations.Over time he began to plan for a
way of life which would accommodate tourism, but still preserve the environment,
sound agricultural practise and traditional culture.In the
early 1990s he began to create the model that would turn his vision into reality
when he settled in Yanıklar village near Fethiye and began his eco farm called
Pastoral vadi.
He continued to work as an architect building ecologically
sound houses in traditional materials in villages around Fethiye, work which he
still carries on.
He was one of the founders of FETAV (Fethiye’s charity
dedicated to tourism, culture, education and environment) and has led several
projects in his role as Environmental Coordinator.In
particular he has been instrumental in introducing organic growing to the
villages around Fethiye.He helped set up the Fethiye’s
Association of Organic Fruit/Vegetables Growers.He leads an
organisation called FETDER (Fethiye’s Eco Tourism Development Organisation).
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