Kanal Istanbul advertisements in Arab countries began before İmamoğlu's arrest: 'The project never actually stopped'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

The Kanal İstanbul project, which President Erdoğan has not abandoned despite serious warnings from experts, returned to the agenda following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

However, it has emerged that real estate companies from Arab countries had already taken action for housing and land sales even before İmamoğlu's arrest. 

ADVERTISEMENTS INCREASED IN DECEMBER

It is observed that the advertisements in question increased in December. In one of those videos, a person is seen visiting the Kanal İstanbul route and describing the project as follows: "There are large-scale lands available, and there is an opportunity to acquire property directly from the owners. Arnavutköy is not just a project, but also a window opening to a future filled with mega-projects and an address for profitable investments. If you want to own land in this region, you can contact us." the person is seen saying. 

It is noteworthy that the promotional footage in question was published on December 30, 2024, weeks before the arrest of İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. 

The video included the following statements: 

"After all that noisy debate,

now that this stage has been reached,

the planning of the New City is now a reality

being brought to life in Arnavutköy.

For those wondering what the New City (New City Project) is,

here are the details:

The Marmara Glass Project,

as you can see,

passing over Kanal İstanbul,

allowing the passage of large ships,

it has a main street connected by a bridge.

The goal: To reduce traffic congestion in Istanbul

and to easily connect different parts of the city to each other.

The project is rapidly reaching the completion stage by working 24/7.

Kanal İstanbul,

will transform the region into a new economic artery

a global-scale project.

Implementation has already begun

and this project will

drastically change the economic and touristic landscape of the region.

Large state-backed projects,

in cooperation with TOKİ and Emlak Konut,

have been initiated in the Dursunköy, Batalalı, and Sazlıbosna regions.

Throughout 2024,

to improve infrastructure and

to make the region an attractive investment hub,

new projects are planned to be announced.

This region, which possesses an extraordinary location,

stretches from Başakşehir to the New Istanbul Airport.

Large plots of land are available

and there is an opportunity to acquire property directly from the owners.

Arnavutköy is not just a project,

but also a window opening to a future filled with mega-projects

and a destination for profitable investments.

If you want to own land in this region,

you can contact us."

'WITHIN 1-2 YEARS, ISTANBUL'S MOST ATTRACTIVE...' 

In another promotional video, three separate real estate experts provide information about the project. "Work is being completed in record time" a real estate expert featured in the video containing these statements, "In just 1-2 years, Yenişehir will become one of the most prestigious and attractive regions of Istanbul" says. 

The Arab real estate experts speaking in the video in question say the following about Kanal İstanbul. 

"We are here with the latest developments in the Yenişehir Project.

We would like to provide you with important information about the projects carried out by the state in Yenişehir.

Today, Yenişehir has now become one of Istanbul's main transportation hubs.

The Ministry of Transport is expanding the O-3 Marmara Motorway to connect directly to the Sazlıdere Bridge."

This strengthens the transportation network in the region and facilitates access to the airport and Başakşehir.

Moreover, these works are being completed in record time.

In February 2025, the President visited this project and received information about the progress of the Kanal İstanbul construction.

This demonstrates how important the project is at the highest level.

TOKİ has completed 85% of the social housing project in the Baklalı region, which it began approximately 14 months ago.

It plans to deliver the project to the beneficiaries in May 2025.

The 14,000-residence project being carried out in the Dursunköy region in cooperation with Emlak Konut and Turkish Airlines is progressing rapidly and is scheduled for delivery in May 2025.

This project is seen as one of the most promising projects in the region.

In December 2024, TOKİ issued a tender for a project comprising a total of 23,761 residences in the Hadımköy and Sazlıbosna regions.

This project will completely transform the face of the region.

Construction began in March 2025, and road and infrastructure works are progressing rapidly.

Yenişehir is thus becoming a fully equipped urban center.

Florentia Village will be a luxury shopping center that will change the silhouette of Arnavutköy and Yenişehir.

This shopping mall, which will host more than 200 global brands, is set to open in 2026.

This project will uniquely increase the investment appeal of the region.

The Living City Project, a social life center established on an area of 150,000 m², was opened in the Yassıören region on November 12, 2023, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This project strengthens the social infrastructure of Yenişehir and improves the quality of life.

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization is pushing the boundaries of innovation in Yenişehir.

It plans to implement mega-projects that include exhibition centers, metro networks, and modern social spaces.

These projects will elevate the standard of living in the region to a completely different level.

In just 1-2 years, Yenişehir will become one of the most prestigious and attractive regions of Istanbul.

With luxury residences, shopping malls, and international hotels, the region will become a primary hub for investment.

'THE PROJECT NEVER ACTUALLY STOPPED'

In an advertisement by another Jordanian firm, the court ruling issued for Kanal İstanbul, "The New City Project has officially returned" was announced with these expressions. 

It was observed that the person in the video, which was published exactly 5 months ago, "This decision is seen as a grace and a blessing from Allah" used the expressions. 

The following statements were included in the video: 

"The New City Project Has Officially Returned!

With the decision rendered by the Turkish courts, the New City Project is officially coming back to life.

This decision is seen as a grace and a blessing from God.

The good news we are sharing with you today is a decision rendered by the Turkish courts, announcing that the amendments to the city's 1/10,000 scale preliminary plans have been accepted.

With this development, and by also referencing the 1/5,000 and 1/1,000 scale plans, preliminary approval has been granted to change the designation of agricultural land to zoning-compliant status, thereby paving the way for construction.

This decision is extremely important.

Such a development occurring especially after the period when rumors emerged that the project had stopped marks a major turning point.

The project never actually stopped.

Those on the ground could clearly see that the construction of TOKİ projects, Turkish Airlines facilities, various public buildings, infrastructure (water, electricity, gas, sewage), services, and facilities was continuing.

Furthermore, the 443-kilometer-long Northern Marmara Highway and bridge works were also ongoing.

As a result, we are giving good news to those who were concerned about the project in the past:

The same authority that halted the project, namely the courts, has now officially re-approved the project with this decision.

Both legally and in terms of the reality on the ground, the New City Project is continuing at full speed.

May it be auspicious and beneficial for us all!"