Istanbul, February 6 – Three years after the devastating February 6 earthquakes, which struck 11 provinces, Istanbul is intensifying its urban transformation efforts. Currently, 300,000 homes and workplaces are undergoing renewal across the city, a critical initiative given Istanbul’s vulnerability to seismic activity.
Urban Transformation: A National Security Issue for Istanbul
Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, has emphasized the urgency of this transformation, describing a potential Istanbul earthquake as a ‘national security issue.’ With over 16 million residents, the city’s robust building stock is paramount to preventing chaos in the event of a severe earthquake. There are an estimated 600,000 risky structures in Istanbul that require immediate transformation.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, a comprehensive mobilization is underway. The ‘Half from Us’ campaign, initially launched in Üsküdar, has been instrumental in accelerating these efforts. This model, where the state covers half of the financial burden, facilitates access to transformation for citizens, positioning the process not just as building renewal but as a direct security policy.
Progress and Figures: 80,000 Units Under Construction
Minister Kurum recently provided an update on Istanbul’s transformation at the 1st International Urban Transformation Summit in Bahçelievler. He stated that 927,000 homes have been transformed to date, with ongoing work in 300,000 independent units across 39 districts. Furthermore, construction is progressing on 80,250 independent units as part of the ‘Half from Us’ campaign, solidifying Istanbul’s position as the epicenter of Turkey’s urban transformation.
“One out of every two urban transformation projects we undertake is in Istanbul,” Kurum noted, underscoring that this process is not merely about structural renewal but a matter of security and survival.
Bahçelievler Leads the ‘Half from Us’ Campaign
Bahçelievler district has emerged as the most active participant in the ‘Half from Us’ campaign, accounting for 23% of all independent units benefiting from the initiative in Istanbul. Minister Kurum called on local governments to play a more active role, stating, “Let’s move beyond seminars and implement.”
In addition to these efforts, 100,000 of the 500,000 social housing units announced under the motto “Homeowner Turkey,” for which lottery draws are currently ongoing, will be constructed in Istanbul.
A Global Model in Urbanism History
Turkey has achieved an unprecedented transformation in urbanism history, with 1.757 million social housing units, 2.5 million renewed structures, and 455,000 deliveries post-earthquake. Minister Kurum described the 500,000 social housing initiative as a revolutionary model in global urban planning, redefining the concept of a social state worldwide.
How the ‘Half from Us’ Model Works
Under the ‘Half from Us’ campaign, each housing unit receives a grant of 875,000 TL, a low-interest loan of 875,000 TL, and relocation support of 125,000 TL. This comprehensive public support package, totaling approximately 1.875 million TL, covers half of the transformation cost, making the process financially accessible for citizens.
