Earthquake

I previously wrote an article about cooperatives that made quite an impact.

In the old Turkey, where capital was scarce, people would pool their limited budgets to become homeowners.

Thanks to housing cooperatives, which gained momentum in the 70s and especially the 80s, most of our families became homeowners.

The only problem was quality.

The lack of ready-mixed concrete facilities and the failure to fully grasp the seriousness of engineering services led to the construction of flimsy buildings.

Similar flimsy structures were also built in the North Aegean, which the middle-income group preferred for summer homes.

Yesterday's earthquake once again rubbed this reality in our faces.

Our only source of relief is the honest municipalities of that era.

They did not permit high-rise buildings.

Buildings throughout the entire region are no more than 3-4 stories high.

That is why the destruction and loss of life are relatively low.

Based on this, in an earthquake-prone country where we have failed to master quality building construction, high-rise buildings should not be permitted.

Only firms that are licensed by the ministry, employ full-time engineers, and have received the necessary completion and expertise training should be allowed to build.

Otherwise, we will be forced to cry out "where is the state?" after every earthquake.