How urban planning is used to undermine Christian institutions in Turkey

Urban planning has become a primary tool for restricting Christian institutions in Turkey, with authorities using zoning regulations, building codes, and administrative procedures to prevent church construction and limit religious communities, according to a new report.The 88-page study, released by the Ayhan Şahenk Foundation in December 2024, documents how Turkish municipalities employ urban development plans to systematically disadvantage Christian institutions across the country. The report examines cases in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and other major cities where zoning decisions have blocked…