Important notice: The information in this article was compiled as of 20 July 2026. Urban transformation legislation, support amounts and application conditions may change over time. Before taking any action, be sure to verify the current situation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, your local municipality and the provincial directorate.
Why Urban Transformation?
Most of Turkey lies within an active earthquake belt. The major earthquakes the country has experienced have shown that the safety of the building stock is not merely a technical matter but directly a question of human life. Urban transformation aims to identify and renew risky buildings and to create a resilient building stock that complies with the current earthquake code. It is of great importance for everyone who owns a home or plans to buy one to understand this process and their rights.
The Legal Framework
Law No. 6306
The fundamental basis of urban transformation is Law No. 6306 on the Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk. This law regulates the procedures and principles for the identification, evacuation, demolition and reconstruction of risky buildings and risky areas. The supports to be provided to owners and the decision-making processes are also determined by this law and the related regulations.
Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBDY 2018)
The technical principles concerning the seismic resistance of buildings are set out in the Turkish Building Earthquake Code. TBDY 2018 was published in the Official Gazette on 18 March 2018 and entered into force on 1 January 2019. Compared with previous regulations, the code introduced a far more comprehensive performance-based design approach.
TBDY 2018 defines four performance levels:
- Uninterrupted Use: The building can continue to be used after the earthquake with no damage or negligible damage.
- Limited Damage: Limited damage occurs in the structural elements.
- Controlled Damage: Repairable damage that does not endanger life safety is anticipated.
- Prevention of Collapse: Heavy damage may occur, but total collapse of the building is prevented.
Why Is the Construction Year So Important?
The regulatory period in which a building was constructed provides a strong clue about its seismic performance. In buildings dating from before 1999, the probability that the structural system complies with the current code is low; in such buildings material quality, reinforcement detailing and design approach may fall behind today's standards. In buildings constructed after the 2007 code, access to project documents and to information about the structure is generally easier, which facilitates assessment. Even so, every building must be evaluated by experts according to its own circumstances.
The Risky Building Assessment Process
Application
An application for a risky building assessment is made by the owner of the building or their legal representative. The application is submitted to institutions licensed by the Ministry. An application from a single owner is sufficient to start the assessment process; the consent of all owners is not required for the assessment.
Inspection and Testing
During the assessment process, the licensed institution inspects the building comprehensively. This inspection evaluates in particular:
- The year of construction and the regulatory period during which the building was built
- Whether approved architectural and structural projects exist
- Structural irregularities such as soft storey, short column and torsional irregularity
- Whether there are additional storeys, sections or alterations contrary to the building permit
- Ground conditions and geotechnical survey data
In addition to these evaluations, core samples are taken to measure concrete quality, and reinforcement detection and material tests are carried out. The data obtained is analysed according to the principles of the code, and a decision is made on whether the building is risky.
Decision, Notification and Objection
If the building is determined to be risky, this decision is annotated on the title deed record and duly notified to the owners. Owners who receive the notification have the right to object to the decision; objections are evaluated by technical panels formed by the Ministry. Since the objection period and procedure are set out in legislation, it is important to obtain information from the relevant directorate once you receive the notification so as not to miss the deadline.
Demolition and Reconstruction
In buildings declared risky and for which the objection process has been completed, the evacuation and demolition process begins. Reconstruction then proceeds in line with the decisions taken by the owners. At this stage, matters such as contractor selection, contract terms, flat-for-land ratios and delivery periods are the topics owners must pay the closest attention to.
Owners' Rights and the Decision Majority
For a transformation decision to be taken in risky buildings, the qualified majority of owners stipulated in the law is required. The law provides a special procedure regarding the shares of owners who do not participate in the decision. Since the majority ratio and applicable procedure on this matter are subject to legislative changes, you should learn the current regulation from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change and the provincial directorate of your province before entering the process. Obtaining legal support from a lawyer during the decision process will be helpful in avoiding loss of rights.
During the urban transformation process, owners may be provided with opportunities such as rental assistance, temporary housing and moving support. However, the conditions, durations and amounts of these supports vary according to the year and the campaigns in force. Therefore, it is necessary to verify the current support conditions with the relevant institution before applying.
The Half From Us Campaign: A Point to Note
Important: The Half From Us campaign entered into force by Presidential Decision dated 22 February 2024 with the aim of accelerating urban transformation in Istanbul. The campaign is specific to Istanbul; it is not valid in Mersin or other provinces. Being clearly aware of this distinction prevents false expectations.
Under the campaign in Istanbul, a total of 1,875,000 TL of support is envisaged per dwelling, comprising an 875,000 TL grant, an 875,000 TL loan and 125,000 TL of moving support. For business premises, a 437,500 TL grant, a 437,500 TL loan and 125,000 TL of moving support apply.
The scope was expanded by the regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 27 February 2026. Accordingly, buildings that receive risky building approval under Law No. 6306 up to 31/12/2026 have been included in the campaign, and buildings declared risky in 2025 and 2026 have also become eligible to benefit from it.
Owners in Mersin and other provinces are advised to apply to their own municipalities and to the provincial directorates of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change to investigate local support, loan and incentive opportunities. Different practices and periodic programmes may exist on a province-by-province basis.
Earthquake Safety Checklist When Buying a Home
Before purchasing a home, be sure to check the following points from an earthquake safety perspective:
- Construction year and code period: Find out in which year and under which earthquake code the building was constructed.
- Building permit and occupancy permit: Enquire whether the construction permit and the occupancy permit exist.
- Approved structural project: Ask whether the building's approved structural project is available. Assessment is far more difficult in buildings without a project.
- Geotechnical survey report: Ground conditions have a decisive effect on a building's performance; examine the survey report.
- Intervention in the structural system: Check whether interventions such as cutting columns or removing shear walls have taken place. This risk is particularly high in buildings whose ground floor has been converted into shops.
- Independent expert inspection: Having an independent civil engineer inspect the building on site provides assurance far exceeding the consultancy fee you will pay.
- DASK policy: Make sure the compulsory earthquake insurance is in place and valid.
A Safe Building Is Lasting Value
Earthquake safety is not only a matter of life safety but also of long-term investment value. A building that complies with the current code and has complete project documentation gives peace of mind to its occupants and preserves its value better. For this reason, structural safety deserves as much weight as price in a home purchase decision.
When you are searching for a home in Mersin and the surrounding area, we would like to give you transparent information about the construction year, documentation status and technical characteristics of buildings, and help you ask the right questions. With its expert team, Turyap Sistem invites you to get in touch so that you can make a safe and informed choice.