Over 100 Istanbul officials have been detained since mid-March, including Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested just days before he planned to announce his run for Turkey’s president. Their arrests, seen by many as a crackdown on political dissent by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have not only disrupted day-to-day governance but also stalled critical projects — including those aimed at fortifying the city against earthquakes.

Meanwhile, the central government is advancing its push for Kanal Istanbul, a multibillion-dollar canal project that stands to strain the region’s resources. It had been strongly opposed by Imamoglu, who referred to it as “a dagger intended to be thrust into the city’s heart.” Read more from contributor Jennifer Hattam today on CityLab: Major Istanbul Projects Are Stalling as City Leaders Sit in Jail

— Arvelisse Bonilla Ramos

More on CityLab

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A plan to add or improve 3,500 miles of bike routes has the support of a dozen local mayors. Still, many hurdles remain before the network becomes truly national.

Philadelphia Transit System Sets One-Week Deadline to Avoid Cuts
Transit officials warned in a meeting Wednesday that without an infusion of cash by Aug. 14, the system will cut 20% of its service.

Gerrymandering: How Parties Use Redistricting for Their Own Gain
Texas Democratic lawmakers left the state this week in an effort to temporarily block Republicans from redrawing the state’s congressional maps.

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