Urban renewal efforts are accelerating across Istanbul under the government's ‘Half Is on Us’ campaign, with more than 384,000 independent units now included in the transformation process. The programme provides financial support for owners replacing high-risk buildings as authorities work to improve Istanbul's resilience against future earthquakes.
Homeowners Offered Grants and Loans for Renewal
Under the campaign, homeowners seeking to redevelop eligible properties can receive grants of up to 875,000TL per residential unit, alongside loans of up to 875,000TL and relocation support worth 125,000TL. The financial assistance is intended to accelerate the replacement of Istanbul's ageing and potentially vulnerable building stock.
The programme has been extended until December 31, 2026. Homes and workplaces identified as high-risk structures and completing the required process by the deadline can qualify for support, giving property owners additional time to participate in the government-backed urban transformation initiative.
Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum highlighted the programme's progress while sharing footage from Zeytinburnu. He said: "Our Istanbul continues to become stronger, safer, and more resilient through our ‘Half Is on Us’ campaign."
Zeytinburnu Emerges as Major Transformation Area
Zeytinburnu has become one of the Istanbul districts experiencing the greatest demand for urban renewal. Transformation work has already been completed for 5,056 independent units across 515 high-risk buildings, placing the district behind only Bahçelievler and Avcılar for participation in the programme.
Renewal is now progressing simultaneously across three streets in Zeytinburnu's Seyitnizam neighbourhood. Of 117 buildings included in the area, work on 50 has been completed, while risk assessment procedures and preparations are progressing for the remaining structures.
Demolition has already started on eight buildings that completed the risk assessment process. The wider programme will see dozens of buildings transformed, allowing authorities to approach renewal on a neighbourhood scale rather than replacing individual properties separately.
Earthquake Resilience Remains Central to Istanbul Plans
Istanbul's exposure to earthquake risk remains the principal motivation behind the transformation programme. Authorities are encouraging residents of older buildings to complete structural risk assessments and begin the approval process before the campaign reaches its deadline at the end of 2026.
Oğuzhan Çiftçi, Head of the Transformation Services Department at the Urban Transformation Directorate, said: "We have gained significant momentum in this regard. Our primary goal is to prepare Istanbul for earthquakes, and we continue working day and night to achieve this."
Nezir Can 
Operations Manager
Nezir 'Nez' Can is Operations Manager at Property Turkey and a contributor on Turkish culture, lifestyle, and everyday life across the country. Since joining the company, he has helped international readers better understand what it is like to live, work, and settle in Turkey.
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