The World Bank has approved a $650 million loan for the Istanbul Resilience Project, aimed at strengthening the city’s capacity to respond to disasters and climate-related risks. The initiative seeks to protect both residents and economic activity in Türkiye’s largest city by improving emergency preparedness and modernizing public infrastructure.
Istanbul is responsible for almost one-third of Türkiye’s gross domestic product and is home to more than 15 million people. Its exposure to earthquakes and climate shocks creates significant risks not only for its population but also for the country’s overall economy. The project is designed to help key public services remain operational during emergencies, safeguard communities, and maintain economic continuity if a major disaster occurs.
“This project is vital to safeguard Istanbul’s people and economy. By strengthening emergency preparedness, modernizing public infrastructure, and supporting community resilience, Türkiye is building a safer future for one of its most strategic provinces,” said Humberto Lopez, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye. “It will protect lives and jobs while enhancing disaster response capacities and ensuring the continuity of critical public services.”
The Istanbul Resilience Project will focus on four main areas: building new emergency response infrastructure such as paramedic stations, search and rescue centers, fire stations, and wildfire detection towers; constructing around 50 new public buildings—including schools, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and community centers—to meet high seismic and climate resilience standards; providing technical assistance for institutional capacity building; and setting aside funds that can be quickly reallocated in case of an emergency.
Salih Bugra Erdurmus, World Bank Task Team Leader for the project said: “The Project is a comprehensive effort to strengthen both the physical infrastructure and the emergency response systems of Istanbul. Our aim is to ensure that critical public services remain operational during disasters and that emergency teams are better equipped to respond rapidly and effectively. To this end, we are also promoting the self-sufficiency of critical public buildings so they can function as resilient safety hubs that support communities in the immediate aftermath of disasters.”
The project supports several national strategies including Türkiye's 12th National Development Plan as well as climate change mitigation efforts. It aligns with local plans like Istanbul's Provincial Risk Reduction Plan (IRAP). This investment comes at a time when much of Istanbul’s existing public building stock is aging while demand on emergency response systems continues to grow.
The World Bank stated it remains committed to helping Turkish cities improve their disaster resilience in order to protect lives and promote sustainable growth.