Speaker
Description
The main reasons for natural events turning into disasters in Turkey are that most cities are located in earthquake-prone areas, the building stock in those cities is constructed in a seismically unsafe manner, urban development occurs in geologically risky areas, and the production of non-resilient structures cannot be prevented. Researchers and practitioners focusing on resilience mostly concentrate on building quality, soil stability, and strategies for urban reconstruction and resilient redevelopment. In contrast, there are relatively fewer studies examining the extent to which the spatial development of cities increases risks and contributes to resilience. It can be argued that a multi-scale spatial perspective, considering construction conditions, could serve as a foundation for enhancing the earthquake resilience of cities. In this context, the present study analytically discusses the impact of urbanization policies and urban development decisions on seismic vulnerability. The paper includes findings from an ongoing TÜBİTAK-supported research project.
The 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes caused widespread destruction in multiple settlements along the fault line. This situation provides a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between the destruction experienced in these settlements and urbanization policies and urban development decisions. Within the scope of the present study, the role of urban development processes in the destruction caused by the earthquake in İslahiye, which had an urban population of around 35,000 before the earthquake, is addressed. The historical development phases of İslahiye are documented through aerial photographs, and patterns of earthquake-induced destruction are mapped using GIS. The collected data, combined with development plans, geological reports, and field observations, aim to reveal the urbanization policies and practices underlying seismic vulnerability in small-scale cities through the example of İslahiye.
| Keywords | Vulnerability; Urbanization policies; disaster and urbanization; İslahiye; Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
