Dialogos

Thousands of Acres of Land in Karpas Peninsula Allocated to Turkish University, Sparking Controversy

Published March 18, 2026, 20:02
Thousands of Acres of Land in Karpas Peninsula Allocated to Turkish University, Sparking Controversy

The passage of an amendment to the “law on the transfer and lease of plains and forest lands” in the occupied territories paves the way for the allocation of approximately 3,500 acres of forest land in the Karpas Peninsula to the Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ). The decision has sparked controversy, as the Green Peace movement has already filed a lawsuit. This allocation, combined with previous allocations of state and private land, totals 5,000 acres for the İTÜ campus. Critics point out that the decision was passed unanimously by the “parliament,” including the opposition, and that it bypasses legal proceedings, creating a fait accompli.