“İstanbul isn’t More Ready for an Earthquake than 1999”

Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) İstanbul branch made a press statement for 16^th anniversary of August 17, 1999 İzmit Earthquake (Kocaeli or Gölcük earthquake which left around 17,000 people dead and a million people homeless).

TMMOB Branch Chairperson Cemal Gökçe stated İstanbul is still unprepared for an earthquake.

Gökçe drew attention to assembly areas which were zoned for construction, urban transformation projects that focus on unearned income and spoiling natural resources.

“Buildings aren’t ready for an earthquake”

Gökçe stressed that 66% of Turkey’s lands were first-degree and second-degree seismic zones and 70% of the population and 75% of major industrial enterprises were under the threat of earthquake.

Branch chairperson said 20 million buildings in the country weren’t ready for an earthquake and schools and hospitals were vulnerable. Gökçe pointed out a collective planning was needed.

* Existing buildings should be improved, repaired and reinforced.

* Repairing and reinforcement should be replaced with reconstruction if it is expensive and irrational.

* New buildings should be controlled by enough engineering services.

* Buildings should be insured against earthquakes.

 “Assembly areas were opened for construction in İstanbul”

Gökçe stated three out of four of 493 assembly areas and places for tent cities have been zoned for construction since 1999 İzmit Earthquake.

 “Hazardous buildings should be reinforced"      

Gökçe:

“Urban transformation equals to unearned income-based system. Hazardous buildings are pulled down but multistoried buildings are erected instead. Infrastructure, transportation and demographic problems show up.

 “Most of the buildings in İstanbul are hazardous but not all of them should be pulled down. They should be reinforced.” (BK/BD)

Click here to read the article in Turkish