"We're Forgotten": Residents on the Frontlines of Istanbul's Kasımpaşa Metro Expansion

For three years, the sound of jackhammers has become the morning alarm for residents along Kasımpaşa's narrow streets. The extension of Istanbul's metro system—planned to connect the historic working-class neighbourhood directly to the Levent financial district by 2028—promises faster commutes for thousands. But for those living metres from the construction sites, the reality has been far less rosy.

"My apartment shakes every day between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.," says one long-time resident of the Tersane neighbourhood, who requested anonymity due to concerns about speaking publicly. "The authorities said it would be finished by now. We were promised completion dates that came and went." According to municipal records, the 4.2-kilometre corridor will cost an estimated 2.8 billion Turkish lire and involve excavation work beneath residential areas built in the 1970s.

The Kasımpaşa metro project—part of Istanbul's broader ambition to expand its metro network from 76 kilometres to over 150 kilometres by 2030—has already displaced dozens of businesses. Several family-run workshops along Tersane Caddesi closed permanently after landlords refused renewal agreements, anticipating future relocation offers that never materialised at compensation rates locals considered adequate.

Community groups have emerged to voice frustrations. The Kasımpaşa Residents and Shopkeepers Association, formed in 2024, has documented health complaints ranging from respiratory issues to stress-related conditions among neighbourhood residents. "We're not against modernisation," explains one association member. "We want Istanbul to develop. But development shouldn't mean sacrificing the people who've lived here for generations."

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality acknowledges the disruption but emphasises long-term benefits. A 2025 feasibility study suggests the metro extension will reduce commute times from Kasımpaşa to central business districts by approximately 35 minutes, potentially benefiting an estimated 200,000 daily users once complete.

Environmental concerns also linger. Independent air quality monitoring conducted by academics from Istanbul Technical University documented elevated particulate matter levels in Kasımpaşa during peak construction hours, though the municipality contends these remain within acceptable limits under current regulations.

With completion now targeted for late 2028, residents remain caught between frustration at present circumstances and cautious hope for future connectivity. Their voices—often drowned out by the machinery—remind us that infrastructure progress carries human costs that extend far beyond project timelines and budget sheets.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.