Minister Kurum: "Güneş Sitesi is turning into solid and safe homes"

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change continues the transformation in Istanbul, where there are 1.5 million risky buildings, with the Half of Us campaign. The residents of Güneş Sitesi in Tevfik Bey Neighborhood of Küçükçekmece district also reached an agreement among themselves and benefited from the area-based transformation model of the Half of Us campaign. In the campaign coordinated by the Urban Transformation Presidency, each beneficiary was provided with a grant of 875 thousand liras and a moving support of 125 thousand liras. The construction was undertaken by TOKİ. 139 independent sections in 8 blocks at risk of collapse were demolished and construction of 150 independent sections in 8 blocks designed as ground plus 4 was started.

"The first step was taken by the residents of Güneş Sitesi, and we said, 'Half of it is on us'"

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared the final stage of the project in the 6-month period on his social media account. Minister Kurum said, "The first step was taken by the residents of Güneş Sitesi, and we said, Half of it is on us, and we took action. 150 households in the 8-block Güneş Sitesi are turning into disaster-resistant, solid, and safe homes. The first step is from you, the half is from us."

"Evacuation support was provided to all beneficiaries"

Noting that the Güneş Sitesi’nın Half is on Us campaign exemplifies the area-based transformation model, Marmara Urban Transformation Presidency Branch Manager Kübra Özcivan said, “The process was initiated immediately after the applications of the right holders who reached full agreement. The area was evacuated in a short period of 1 month. Then, the demolition procedures were completed and the foundations were laid as of December 2024. Evacuation support was provided to all right holders.”

"Our old houses were in disrepair"

Naşide Özçelik, who has lived in Güneş Sitesi for 15 years, explained the transformation process as follows: "Our old houses were in great disrepair. The ceilings collapsed, our balcony ceilings fell. When my daughter brought her child to me one morning, she said, 'Mom, can you come out? Look.' I said, 'What happened, girl?' She said, 'Mom, we don't have a staircase, it collapsed.' I looked and saw that the staircase of the outer door had collapsed. Later, we learned that the houses would be built with state support. We all decided on the transformation together as a whole site. Some people ask me, 'How did you have it built, how did you reach an agreement, we want it too.' I say, 'Go and reach an agreement with TOKİ.' I think everyone should have it built with state support. Both the structures are sturdy and fast. Frankly, we didn't expect it to progress in such a short time. We are excitedly waiting to move into our house."

"If it continues like this, they will deliver it in 4-5 months"

Tekin Aydın, one of the residents of Güneş Sitesi, said, "The foundation of the construction was already made of sea sand. The columns burst. If we had not entered the Half is on Us campaign, our house would have been lost in this earthquake. All the residents of the site agreed on the Half is on Us campaign. Half is from the state, half is from us. They also gave a moving fee. The construction is going very well right now, thank God. They came this far even in 6-7 months. If it continues like this, they will deliver it to us in 4-5 months. At this rate, our houses will be delivered before the stated date. Nobody should be afraid; the state will not cause any harm. Our state is on the field with all its resources."

Within the scope of Half of Us, support is provided to citizens in area-based site-like large transformations under the coordination of the Urban Transformation Directorate of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change with the cooperation of TOKİ and Emlak Konut. In this model, 875 thousand lira grant support and 125 thousand lira moving support are provided for each beneficiary. The grant amount is deducted from the building cost, and the remaining debt is paid in installments under long-term and suitable payment terms.

UAV

Editor: News Center