Istanbul residents face eviction notices in Çubuklu urban transformation project

In the Beykoz district of Istanbul, 509 households in the Çubuklu neighborhood have received eviction notices as part of an urban transformation project. The notices set a deadline of November 20, 2026, for residents to vacate their homes, with warnings that utility services such as electricity, water, and natural gas could be disconnected if the deadline is not met.

Residents have raised concerns regarding the uncertainty of temporary housing and the ability to return to new homes within the same area. A proposed monthly rental support of 8,000 Turkish Lira has also drawn criticism, as locals argue the amount is insufficient to cover current market rents, deposits, and moving expenses.

DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Cengiz Çiçek has brought the issue to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, submitting a parliamentary inquiry for Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum. Çiçek stated that while residents do not oppose urban transformation, they seek to live in safe housing without being forced out of their neighborhood by debts that exceed their economic means.