The private developers who were granted the license for this bloc of 85 landowners have halted construction over money disputes. Whole sections of Istanbul, and many other cities, have been pulled down to be replaced with modern office buildings and homes. The redevelopment has spurred rapid economic growth in Turkey, generating employment and providing housing for Mr. Erdogan’s voter base. Yet protests have swelled over Mr. Erdogan’s emphasis on construction and growth at any cost. The construction boom, largely built on foreign credit, has brought wealth to a whole swath of construction firms.

Source: New York Times September 30, 2018 21:56 UTC