Istanbul Urban Renewal 2026: "Half on Us" Support and the Process

As of September 2026, Istanbul is estimated to have roughly 1.5 million at-risk homes. Since 2012, 1.27 million units have entered the renewal programme, yet most of the pre-1999 building stock is still standing. What makes this autumn different is the "Half on Us" (Yarısı Bizden) campaign deadline: 31 December 2026 for the risk assessment report. The decision window for property owners is closing.

This guide brings together the current support amounts, the districts where activity is concentrated, the difference between the flat-for-land and contracting models, and the full path from risk assessment to occupancy permit.

"Half on Us" 2026: Support Items and Conditions

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change runs this campaign for Istanbul only. Owners who demolish and rebuild an at-risk building receive a grant, a loan and a relocation payment together. The 2026 figures:

The core condition is a risk assessment completed by a licensed institution before 31 December 2026. A simple-majority decision of the owners, then design and permit, follow. Monthly rent support for Istanbul in 2026 was announced at TRY 18,000–21,000.

Districts Leading in 2026

• Avcılar, Küçükçekmece, Bahçelievler, Bağcılar, Güngören — pre-1999, weak ground conditions, dense apartment stock.
• Zeytinburnu — among the districts with the highest renewal potential; block-based schemes are gaining ground.
• Kadıköy, Maltepe, Kartal — high land values on the Asian side; the most intense plot-by-plot renewal.

Where land values are high, developers still offer flat-for-land deals. In the western districts of the European side, many buildings do not work economically on that basis. The "Half on Us" package was designed precisely for this second group.

The February 2026 Regulatory Update

A regulation amendment published on 4 February 2026 updated the timelines for assessment, evacuation and owner decisions under Law No. 6306. In practice, waiting periods after a risk decision are shorter and undecided owners have less room to block the process. Confirm the current text with the Ministry before applying.

Flat-for-Land or Construction Contracting?

With grant and loan flowing directly to the owners, building on a fixed price per square metre while keeping the full land share becomes affordable. We explain this in detail in our article on the construction-contracting alternative to flat-for-land.

Savaş Grup's urban renewal under the construction-contracting model is built for that second column: assessment, design, permits and construction under one contract with transparent cost.

The Cost of Waiting: What TurkStat Says

According to the July 2026 Construction Cost Index released in September, costs rose 28.33% year on year; labour (30.51%) outpaced materials (27.13%). A project delayed by a year needs roughly a quarter more budget for the same scope; for an 80-unit building that difference erodes a large part of the grant. Our construction cost guide explains which items drive the cost.

Sample Budget: 80-Unit Building

The total construction cost and the owners' contribution vary from building to building with storeys, unit sizes, ground conditions and finish level — which is why we prepare a separate calculation for each building instead of quoting a generic price per m². Use the "Half on Us" support calculator to see your building's total public support right away, then request a free pre-feasibility and quotation.

Step by Step (2026)

1. Risk assessment — licensed institution, before 31 December 2026; approved by the provincial directorate.
2. Owners' decision — simple majority for demolition and rebuild; choice of contractor.
3. "Half on Us" application — via e-Government or the provincial directorate.
4. Design and permit — architectural and structural design, soil survey, municipal permit (2–4 months).
5. Evacuation and demolition — rent support starts; demolition and excavation (1 month).
6. Construction — shell and finishes, 12–18 months; progress-based payments.
7. Occupancy permit — title update and handover.

If the performance analysis concludes that demolition is not required, building strengthening should be considered — but note that "Half on Us" only funds demolition and rebuild.

Other Metropolitan Areas

"Half on Us" is specific to Istanbul. For Ankara and İzmir, the Ministry's general loan and rent-support programmes and local schemes apply; we have prepared separate guides for both cities.

Urban Renewal in Istanbul with Savaş Grup

With more than 27 years of contracting experience, we run the entire process on both sides of Istanbul — from risk assessment to turnkey delivery — under a single contract. We brief owners' meetings free of charge, calculate the grant-and-loan balance for the specific building and sign at a fixed price per square metre. To make the December 2026 deadline, start the assessment today.