Getting the process right in urban transformation
From identifying a risky building to the title deeds of the new one, we manage every technical, administrative and legal step of urban transformation under one roof, on a turnkey basis.
- Reserve building area
- Risky area
- Risky building
What is urban transformation?
Urban transformation (kentsel dönüşüm) is the systematic treatment of existing building stock against possible earthquakes — across part of a city, most of it, or a single building. The risk values of the ground and of the structure on it are determined, including the likelihood that the structure collapses in an earthquake and damages its neighbours as it does.
Risky ground and risky buildings are taken out of use and replaced with structures suited to the ground. The aim is to minimise loss of life and property in future earthquakes.
Three key terms
- Risky building
- A building, inside or outside a risky area, that has completed its economic life or has been found on scientific and technical evidence to be at risk of collapse or severe damage.
- Risky area
- An area that carries a risk of loss of life and property because of its ground conditions or the buildings on it, designated under the procedure set out in Law No. 6306.
- Reserve building area
- An area designated by the Ministry for use in projects carried out under Law No. 6306.
Who can benefit?
Owners who want to rebuild their homes, tenants and holders of limited property rights living in risky buildings, and owners whose home has been classed as risky and who wish to buy a different one can all benefit. Transformation is not limited to housing:
What does it cover?
- Urban transformation covers all risky buildings that have completed their economic life.
- Besides buildings with an occupancy permit or construction servitude, buildings held on a land title and informal housing classed as risky can also benefit.
- An application by one of the owners in the building is enough to start the process.
- Rebuilding and the other decisions are taken by the majority required by law.
- Eligible right holders may use a state-backed urban transformation loan, rent assistance or relocation assistance. The amounts are revised periodically; we share the current figures when we meet.
- You are free to work with the contractor of your choice.
- The renewed building becomes an earthquake-resistant, safe property and gains value.
- During the rebuilding of a risky building you can benefit from the exemptions granted on municipal fees, notary fees and taxes.
How do I benefit?
Once you apply and we sign an agreement, our specialists and solution partners prepare the building risk report for your property. The process formally begins when the Ministry approves it.
We provide every service within the scope of urban transformation under one roof, on a turnkey basis, and see the rebuilding of your property through.
The main stages
- The architectural and structural drawings of the existing building are obtained from the municipal zoning department or the land registry, where the archive holds them.
- Our specialists and solution partners carry out the technical survey on site and prepare the earthquake risk report for the building.
- The report is submitted for approval to the provincial directorate of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change.
- If the report is approved and the building is found to be risky, a “risky building” annotation is entered in the land register. The annotation is informative; it does not prevent a sale.
- The land registry notifies all unit owners in writing. Owners have the right to object to the report within the statutory period after notification.
- Once the report is final, the owners decide by the majority required by law; a joint decision protocol is drawn up, signed and notified to the directorate.
- A contractor is engaged to rebuild or to strengthen the building.
- All drawings are prepared and the building permit is obtained from the municipality.
- Applications for an urban transformation loan or rent assistance are made for eligible right holders. Only one of the two — rent assistance or loan support — may be used.
- The building is rebuilt or strengthened against earthquakes.
- The title deeds of the new building are issued.
Documents needed for the earthquake risk report
- A copy of the title deed (occupancy permit, construction servitude or land title)
- A copy of your identity document
- An encumbrance certificate (takyidat) from the land registry
- The structural drawings of the existing building from the municipality, or an official letter stating that none exist
- The municipality’s UAVT (National Address Database) letter for the building
Our urban transformation services
- Market value appraisal of the property
- An informative earthquake performance report, without entering the building into the transformation process (with university approval on request)
- The Ministry-approved earthquake risk report required for urban transformation
- Preparation of the building management plan and the joint decision protocol
- Obtaining the exemption certificate for title deed, municipal, notary, fee and tax exemptions for your new building, and related advice
- Managing urban transformation loan procedures with partner banks
- Handling applications for urban transformation rent assistance
- Preparing alternative architectural designs within the scope of the transformation
- Managing contractor selection together with the owners; technical support and advice
This page is for general information. Urban transformation legislation, assistance amounts and time limits change; we review the current position for your building when we meet.