30.01.2025 14:20
Buildings in İzmir are practically a death trap. It has been reported that 35% of the 60,000 structures in the Bornova and Bayraklı districts of the city are "highly likely to be earthquake-resistant." Bengi Atak, the Chairman of the Board of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Civil Engineers (İMO), warned that the city is unprepared for an earthquake.
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Scary results have emerged from the inventory studies conducted to understand how much buildings can withstand in a possible earthquake centered in İzmir. It has been stated that the majority of structures in Turkey's third-largest city pose a seismic risk. Following the earthquake on October 30, 2020, which claimed the lives of 117 people in the city, the İzmir branch of the Chamber of Civil Engineers (İMO) and the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality continue their efforts to inventory the building stock in the city.
BUILDINGS IN BORNOVA AND BAYRAKLI ARE CAUSING DEATH
As a result of the inventory studies conducted in the districts of Bornova and Bayraklı, where the most destruction occurred during the earthquake, it was found that 35% of the 60,000 buildings in these two districts are 'highly likely to be earthquake-resistant.' İMO İzmir Branch Board President Bengi Atak stated, "Various figures have been cited by the ministry and the municipality regarding the earthquake-resistant structures in İzmir. It is known that 70% of the building stock in İzmir carries a question mark."
35% OF 60 THOUSAND BUILDINGS ARE EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT
Recalling that 12 buildings collapsed in the earthquake that affected İzmir on October 30, 2020, Atak said, "We are conducting inventory studies to understand how many of our buildings can withstand an earthquake centered in İzmir. Since Bornova and Bayraklı were most affected by the October 30 earthquake, the inventory studies initially started in these two districts. In the inventory studies conducted in the two districts with a total of 60,000 buildings, we can say that 35% of the buildings are highly likely to be earthquake-resistant and are in the group that needs to be analyzed first. Among these priority structures, the proportion of buildings constructed before the year 2000 is higher than others, which may be due to fundamental changes such as the mandatory use of ready-mixed concrete and revisions of earthquake regulations after the 1999 earthquake. The inventory studies are a prioritization effort, so the aim is to protect the maximum number of buildings by doing the right work in the right places with the budget we have," he explained.
KARŞIYAKA AND KONAK WILL ALSO BE EXAMINED
Atak mentioned that a decision was made in the municipal council last month to start inventory studies in Karşıyaka, stating, "There are approximately 23,000 buildings in Karşıyaka. I believe that the inventory studies will start soon and will be completed within this year. The buildings in the districts where we started the inventory studies are in the most expected areas for destruction. After Karşıyaka, when the inventory studies are completed in Konak, we will have a significant idea about İzmir as a whole. We will be able to say something about İzmir with this data without waiting to complete each district one by one," he stated.
NUMBER OF STRUCTURES AFFORDED BY THE ZONING PEACE IS UNKNOWN
Atak drew attention to the fact that the number of structures afforded by the zoning peace in İzmir is unknown, stating, "The structures benefiting from the Zoning Peace must be checked. It would not be very wrong to say that they are likely to be risky. Because buildings are produced with the assumption that they will carry a certain load when designed and produced. If additions are made to the building without strengthening the load-bearing system, the likelihood of it being risky is very high," he said.
BUILDINGS SHOULD UNDERGO MAINTENANCE EVERY 3-5 YEARS
Atak emphasized that buildings need to undergo periodic maintenance and repairs, stating, "Vehicles undergo inspection every year to be able to operate on the road. Similarly, buildings can be controlled through legal procedures and checked every 3-5 years. Buildings can also be damaged unexpectedly due to external factors. In İzmir, wear and tear in concrete that is not resistant to sulfate due to humid weather and the sea is more prevalent. Therefore, periodic inspections will prevent individuals from making ignorant changes," he said.
CHANGES IN THE LOAD-BEARING SYSTEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED EQUIVALENT TO MURDER
Atak warned about the dangers of unconscious renovations, stating, "Additions of floors or seemingly simple wall renovations can cause significant damage to the load-bearing system. Enlarging windows, demolishing walls between rooms, or changing the purpose of the building is not a decision that can be made alone. Converting a building designed for residential use into a tutoring center or school weakens the building's earthquake performance. Making changes to the load-bearing system of the building should be considered equivalent to murder," he said.
İZMİR IS NOT PREPARED FOR AN EARTHQUAKE
Atak emphasized that İzmir is not prepared for an earthquake, stating, "The concrete steps taken are quite few. Urban transformation is taking place in areas with high economic power. For example, after the earthquake, more transformation occurred in the coastal houses of Karşıyaka. The actual needs do not have the power to do this. State institutions also do not have much intention to support. Again, we tend to forget. The inventory studies conducted in İzmir, the Earthquake Master Plan, and workshops are promising, but they will become more satisfying when they are turned into concrete actions. Emergency action plans need to be quickly established. Institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and AFAD should speak the same language on this issue. In İzmir, we feel not only earthquakes but also heavy rains or rising sea levels as disasters. Therefore, the city tells us that we need to be more prepared and collaborative. There is effort, but unfortunately, it is not enough," he concluded.
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