Politics · Turkey · 8 hrs ago
Ayazağa to offer residents TOKİ and rebuilding support after floods
Severe flooding hit Ayazağa, a neighbourhood in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district.
Officials say buildings and facilities damaged by the flood will be demolished by tonight and tomorrow, after residents’ belongings are removed.
Residents will have two rebuilding options: use TOKİ, the state housing agency, or rebuild themselves with support through the Yarısı Bizden programme.
A local urban renewal office is being set up to handle residents’ requests and coordinate the process.
About 2,000 residents have received 10,000 lira each as emergency aid, while further payments based on damage assessments are planned for Monday and Tuesday.
Search teams are still looking for people in the affected area, including on land and at sea.
Rain is expected to continue, though the risk has eased, and officials say longer-term work will be needed to improve nearby waterways and reduce future flood risks.
Authorities said residents of flood-hit Ayazağa will be offered two options for rebuilding: support through the Yarısı Bizden programme or construction through TOKİ.
A Kentsel Dönüşüm Office is being set up to receive residents’ requests and coordinate the process.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül said demolitions of damaged structures were expected to be completed that night and the following day.
Officials said damage assessments and searches for missing people were continuing after the floods.
- Who
- Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced support for affected residents.
- What
- Residents seeking to rebuild will be offered Yarısı Bizden support or a TOKİ project.
- When
- The announcements were made on 17 October 2026.
- Where
- Ayazağa, in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district.
- Why
- The area was affected by flooding, and officials said rebuilding and longer-term measures were needed to reduce the risk of similar damage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sabah reported that Minister Murat Kurum announced two rebuilding options and plans for a Kentsel Dönüşüm Office.
Dünya reported that Governor Davut Gül outlined TOKİ and self-build support, demolition plans and continuing flood response work.
- Location
- Ayazağa, Sarıyer district, Istanbul
- Rebuilding options
- Yarısı Bizden support or a TOKİ project
- Damage payments
- 10,000 lira per resident as emergency aid, according to Governor Gül
- Planned demolition
- 16 shops, a sports facility, stands, a Quran course and adjacent lodgings
- Stream rehabilitation
- 1,700 metres needed in one area, according to Governor Gül
2 sources
What people are saying
Our first priority is to quickly erase the traces of the flood and return life to normal as soon as possible.
Urban transformation in Istanbul is no longer an issue that can be postponed.
For everyone who wants to transform their land, TOKİ is here.
Whether they want it built through TOKİ or want to build it themselves with support from us, we will offer whichever option they prefer.