What happened
Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum has presented two routes for urban renewal in Ayazağa, a neighbourhood in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district that was among the areas most affected by recent flooding.
Property-right holders can either seek renewal through the Yarısı Bizden support programme or participate in an urban-renewal project delivered by the Housing Development Administration of Türkiye, known as TOKİ. The ministry said residents selecting either option would gain access to safer buildings.
The announcement followed Kurum’s visit to the area and a coordination meeting involving central and local government representatives, TOKİ, the Urban Transformation Directorate and residents affected by the flooding. The ministry said its inspections and damage assessments in the area remain under way.
Authorities also agreed to accelerate rehabilitation projects for the Cendere stream in Kağıthane and the Ayazağa stream. Alongside the stream works, the ministry plans a transformation project in Ayazağa coordinated by the Urban Transformation Directorate. It said the project is intended to strengthen resilience to earthquake and climate-related disasters.
Why it matters
The measures link post-flood recovery with longer-term building renewal and watercourse management in an exposed part of Istanbul. According to the ministry, the flooding produced the highest rainfall values recorded in the city in 84 years.
For property-right holders, the immediate practical issue is the choice between the two proposed renewal mechanisms. The ministry has not published detailed terms, a timetable or further criteria for participation in the announcement.
The stream projects are also significant because they address flood-risk infrastructure alongside housing. Kurum has called for regular maintenance and rehabilitation of stream beds, stronger rainwater drainage systems and a reassessment of inundation risks in response to changing rainfall conditions.
What to watch next
The ministry plans to open an urban renewal office in Ayazağa, where it will receive requests from residents. Property-right holders considering renewal should monitor the office’s launch and any subsequent information on the Yarısı Bizden and TOKİ routes.
Progress on the Cendere and Ayazağa stream rehabilitation schemes will be an important indicator of whether the broader resilience programme moves from planning to delivery. The authorities have said these works should be completed rapidly, but have not provided a completion date.
