Hundreds of thousands of buildings in Istanbul are not earthquake-proof. Many were built illegally with cheap concrete during the construction booms of the 1990s and 2000s.
Furthermore, the city is running out of water. In recent summers, reservoirs in the forests near the Black Sea have dropped to record lows. Climate scientists warn that the Mediterranean basin, including Istanbul, is becoming a hot spot for desertification. Last Call for Istanbul
The phrase "Last Call for Istanbul" for a tourist implies urgency. It implies that if you have not seen the sun set from a rooftop overlooking the Hagia Sophia, you should book the flight tonight. Hundreds of thousands of buildings in Istanbul are
is the last bus out of the city for the middle class. Those who remain are either very rich or very desperate. This hollowing out of the middle class changes the texture of the city. The neighborhood muhtars (local headmen) who knew everyone’s name are replaced by anonymous security guards behind gated compounds. The Seismic Clock: The Earthquake Threat No article about Istanbul’s expiration date is complete without the tectonic truth. Geologists have predicted a 70% probability that a massive earthquake (magnitude 7.0 or higher) will hit the Marmara region within the next 20 years. In recent summers, reservoirs in the forests near
For the locals, however, the crisis is acute. Rent in Istanbul has increased by over 400% in some districts. Young Turks, the artists and poets who gave the city its gritty romance, are being pushed out. They are moving to Izmir, to Ankara, or to Europe.
For the millions of Turks living in exile abroad, hearing "Last Call for Istanbul" makes them cry. For the locals struggling to pay rent, it makes them angry. For the traveler planning a trip, it should make them move.
Where are they going? To the Aegean coast, to the mountains of Rize, to the quiet villages of the Mediterranean. They are fleeing the noise, the corruption, the earthquakes, and the cost.