Urban Planning and Regeneration Approach for Disaster Risk Area in Turkey

Turkey is among the countries most affected from disasters on a global scale due to its tectonic, seismic, topographic and climatic structures. Although disasters such as floods, landslides, rock falls, and avalanches are common in our country, earthquakes take the first place when evaluated in terms of their devastating effects. Turkey is located in a region with the most active fault zone on earth and always facing earthquake hazard and risk. Based on Turkey’s earthquake zone map, 96% of Turkey is located within regions of different levels of earthquake risk. Urban design has begun to be used within local planning for providing and maintaining qualified urban spaces. In order to enhance identity and life quality of residential and living zones within holistic planning, urban design projects are being prepared. Geological-geotechnical and microzonation investigation for development plan are prepared to reduce disaster risk. These plans include detailed and specific geological, geophysical and geotechnical survey to constitute new earthquake-resistant, safe, well prepared and sustainable settlements. Especially after earthquakes, the government decided to take firm steps towards the demolition of illegal/risky buildings and the renewal of aged buildings. The urban regeneration process in Turkey is based on the “Law on the Regeneration of Areas under Disaster Risk” that entered into force in 2012. The Law specifically focuses on risk areas that are defined as areas that may cause loss of life or assets during disasters. The Law is not only deal with natural disaster risk areas, but also include regeneration of slums. The urban regeneration projects show that if they are well planned and developed cities can promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable societies. From 2012 to 2016, 7 Million m2 risky areas is being carried out in the regeneration activity where is nearly 1 Million people live in these areas.