Istanbul, overpopulated with 17 million people, may be split into 2 parts, Gazeta.ru reports.
Turkish authorities fear the high rate of population growth in the city. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that they plan to separate eastern outskirts with the poorest population. The idea is part of Erdogan’s electoral campaign. The name for the separated part has not been announced.
Local architects speak out against the initiative, saying that it will lead to population reaching 25-30 million, which may result in major humanitarian and sanitary problems.
