Istanbul Resident Stages 14-Hour Sit-In Over Urban Transformation Dispute

Sevgi Gözcü, a flat owner in a four-story apartment building in Avcılar, Istanbul, staged a 14-hour sit-in protest outside her building to demand urban transformation. Gözcü, along with 12 of her neighbors, requested a meeting with the building management to initiate the process, citing that many surrounding buildings have already undergone renovation.

Gözcü alleges that the current management has ignored their requests for over a month. A key point of contention is the inability to agree on a contractor for the transformation project. Gözcü stated that while there are two potential contractors, the management insists on proceeding with only one, preventing the majority needed for a decision.

"There is an insistence on 'we will have it done by one contractor,'" Gözcü said. "We said, 'No, there are two contractors, let's hold a vote and decide based on the outcome.'" She vowed to continue her protest until her demands were met, stating she would remain outside day and night, only leaving for essential needs.

The protest, which began at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, gained attention after being shared on a local social media page. Other residents who support the transformation effort gathered to discuss collecting signatures for a change in management, hoping a new board would prioritize the urban renewal project. Gözcü eventually ended her 14-hour demonstration after her brother arrived and urged her to stop, agreeing to step away from Avcılar for a period.

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There is an insistence on 'we will have it done by one contractor.' We said, 'No, there are two contractors, let's hold a vote and decide based on the outcome.'