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Many districts in the city are densely populated areas where heavy traffic and industrial activity are part of daily life.
Reports indicate that some of Istanbul’s main residential areas are also among those with the poorest air quality.
Districts such as Kartal, Kadıköy, Ümraniye, Fatih, Esenyurt, Kağıthane, and Şişli record particularly high levels of air pollution.
By contrast, Istanbul’s “luckier” districts in terms of air quality include the Princes' Islands (Adalar), Sarıyer, and Şile.
The neighborhood of Göztepe, located within Kadıköy, consistently ranks among the areas with the highest levels of air pollution in Istanbul.
The annual PM10 pollution level in Göztepe has been measured at 94.9 micrograms per cubic meter.
Göztepe’s role as a major hub for transportation, industry, and urban redevelopment contributes to its poor air quality. The area is also impacted by pollution from the D-100 highway and large-scale urban transformation projects concentrated around Fikirtepe and Bağdat Avenue.
Today, around 50,000 people live in the Fikirtepe urban renewal zone and its surrounding areas.
Much of the new development in Göztepe has favored vertical architecture.
Many new high-rise apartment buildings, particularly near Bağdat Avenue.
Experts interviewed by Scrolli point out that Turkey faces critical obligations in tackling air pollution.
Professor Dr. Mustafa Öztürk, who served as Undersecretary at the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization between 2014 and 2018, emphasizes that Turkey must align with European Union standards to effectively combat air pollution.
Professor Öztürk stresses the urgent need to reduce PM2.5 pollution to meet EU norms. “PM2.5 particles can reach deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems,” he explains. “The European Union plans to reduce the PM2.5 limit to 10 micrograms per cubic meter by 2030. Turkey needs to implement similar policies. In Europe, over 200,000 people die each year due to PM2.5 pollution. In most parts of Turkey, PM2.5 is not regularly measured, which means we lack a clear understanding of its health impacts. Comprehensive health screenings and pollution studies should be conducted in cooperation with hospitals and expert teams.”
Photo caption: A view of Ankara from Ankara Castle. Depophotos #14995695
Professor Öztürk also points to the impact of climate and temperature increases on air pollution.
“As temperature inversion intensifies, temperatures rise with altitude, trapping polluted air closer to the ground,” he says. “This phenomenon tends to occur more frequently in low-lying areas. Göztepe, being located in a low-lying zone, is particularly vulnerable to these conditions. Surrounded by buildings and heavy traffic, and affected by ongoing construction activities, the area faces severe pollution challenges.”
Many organizations emphasize that the most effective solution to air pollution is reducing the use of fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Solar, wind, and geothermal energy can significantly reduce air pollution by providing clean energy alternatives.
Experts also highlight the importance of increasing the use of electric vehicles, phasing out older, more polluting vehicles, and improving public transportation systems. These steps are considered key to improving air quality in cities in the short term.
Story: Ilgaz Fakıoğlu
Edit: Mahir Boztepe
Special Thanks: Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk
Resources: IQAir, WHO, Waqi
3D: Respiratory System by Vikrama Raghuraman on Sketchfab, Any Conv Com Human Respiratory System Review by husamalmorr on Sketchfab
