Statement from İBB regarding the construction in Vaniköy: “Sealed and banned from operation”

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) announced that the construction in the forested area in the Vaniköy neighborhood of Üsküdar district was sealed off and banned from activity on August 16.

The construction of concrete structures, including the cutting of trees in the area under the control of the Boğaziçi Planning Directorate, which is the responsibility of IMM, had drawn significant backlash. Ejder Batur, the Provincial Director of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in Istanbul, announced that an investigation had been initiated regarding the alleged illegal construction. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality made a statement regarding the construction that is claimed to be illegal in the forested area. In a statement made on IMM’s social media account, it was stated, “There are two concrete structures consisting of four independent sections with two floors each on the private property located at parcel number 928, section 3 in the Vaniköy neighborhood of Üsküdar district, and all of these structures have occupancy permits. Additionally, the existing pool structure is also included in the architectural project attached to the occupancy permit for the parcel. The illegal structures that previously existed on the parcel have been demolished. Subsequently, the relevant parties regarding the legal structures applied to our institution to obtain repair and renovation permits. As a result of the inspections carried out, a simple repair permit was issued as per the regulations.”

“The construction was sealed off and banned from activity”

The statement continued, “However, as a result of inspections conducted in the neighborhood, it has been determined that works partially outside the scope of the simple repair permit and that can be carried out under the strengthening permit are being executed without applying for a strengthening permit to our institution, and additional wooden and prefabricated structures are being constructed on the legal buildings. Following this situation, the legal process has been initiated urgently, a building cessation report numbered 2089 dated 16.08.2024 has been prepared, the construction has been sealed off and banned from activity, and a criminal complaint has been filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the matter. Additionally, the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization has also been informed. Our institution is diligently fulfilling its legal obligations during this process and continues its determined efforts to prevent any type of construction outside the regulations.”