Rent-seeking game under the guise of earthquake: 16,922 titled properties in Istanbul under 'Reserve Area' pressure in 2025
Data regarding 'reserve area' applications carried out under Law No. 6306 has drawn attention. While 22,062 independent units across Turkey were designated as reserve areas in 2025, the fact that 16,922 of these are located in Istanbul has brought the impact of the practice on property rights and urban transformation policies back to the agenda.
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The "Reserve Area" practice, carried out under Law No. 6306, has turned into a "rent-seeking" tool that strips citizens of their titled properties. According to documents, while 16,922 independent units in Istanbul alone were designated as reserve areas in 2025, this number reached 22,062 across Turkey.
The picture behind the "Urban Transformation" and "Reserve Building Area" practices, which have been accelerated under the pretext of a possible major Marmara earthquake, continues to emerge. Citizens face the danger of losing the titled homes and lands they have worked for years to acquire due to "reserve area" decisions made under the guise of disaster risk.
ISTANBUL IS AGAIN THE CENTER OF RENT-SEEKING
According to the data, a total of 22,062 independent units were designated as reserve areas across Turkey in 2025. However, the figures once again prove that the main focus of this practice is Istanbul, where land and real estate rent is at its highest. 16,922 independent units, which constitute the overwhelming majority of reserve area decisions across Turkey, are located within the borders of Istanbul alone.
According to the official report that has emerged, work on the "determination of ownership and real estate value" for 16,922 independent units across Istanbul has been initiated under Law No. 6306. The report shows that long-established housing complexes in various districts of Istanbul are also directly within the scope of the project.
Some of the regions reflected in the document and included in the scope are listed as follows:
Ataşehir district, Kayışdağı Neighborhood (Kanarya Site) - 164 independent units
Avcılar district, Ambarlı Neighborhood (Usaş Site) - 102 independent units
Bağcılar district, 15 Temmuz Neighborhood (Çapa Site) - 198 independent units
Bağcılar district, İnönü Neighborhood (Dilek Site) - 283 independent units
Bağcılar district, Kirazlı Neighborhood (Anakent Gözde Site) - 90 independent units
"OUR TITLED HOMES ARE BEING TAKEN FROM US"
The fact that the practice is not carried out transparently and violates property rights is drawing significant public backlash. Experts and citizens at risk of becoming victims state that the process aims to seize valuable land in city centers rather than ensuring earthquake safety.
Citizens who argue that Istanbul's rent is being seized under the guise of an "earthquake" are reacting to the authorities, saying, "Under the name of reserve area, titled properties belonging to the public are practically being extorted. Our right to safe housing is being sacrificed for rent-seeking projects."