Istanbul Plans to Relocate Approximately 1.5 Million Residential Buildings Due to Potential Earthquake Risk

The authorities in Istanbul are planning to relocate approximately 1.5 million residential buildings over the next five years due to the risk of collapse from a potential earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater. This was announced by Turkey's Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Murad Kurum.

“More than 70% of Turkey's territory is located in seismically hazardous zones. One of those areas is Istanbul, where the plan is to relocate 1.5 million residential buildings within five years. 500 thousand new homes will be constructed in the European and Asian parts of the city, and an equal number will be built in place of the former structures,” Kurum's words were quoted by CNN Türk on Thursday.

Kurum stated that the relocation plan, which has been in preparation for four years, takes into account the existing transport logistics infrastructure. The details of the project will be announced soon by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to the minister.