Turkey urban renewal demolition projects

In July 2026 Turkey’s local authorities continued a coordinated push to replace unsafe structures with modern, seismic‑resistant facilities. On July 19 the Yıldırım district of Bursa began demolishing 13 residential blocks in Sinandede to make way for 42 earthquake‑proof apartments and commercial units, part of a district goal of 30,000 safe homes. A week later, on July 26, Sinop’s governor oversaw the demolition of the former SSK Hospital, clearing the site for a new health centre and helping cut the province’s vacant‑building count from 220 to 142.

Also on July 26, a foundation ceremony was held in Kağıthane, Istanbul for a new Sultan Selim neighbourhood police station. The previous station had been razed because it failed earthquake‑risk assessments. Governor Davut Gül affirmed Istanbul’s ambition to become “the safest city in the world” and stressed the need to review and retrofit pre‑2000 structures. Police and municipal leaders praised the project as a contribution to public safety and urban resilience.

These actions illustrate Turkey’s public‑private strategy to improve urban resilience, upgrade housing, health and security infrastructure, and eliminate derelict buildings across the country.