Industrial migration plan from Marmara to Anatolia: 14 provinces stand out

Claims have surfaced regarding the relocation of the population and industry concentrated in the Marmara Region, particularly in and around Istanbul, to Anatolia in the medium and long term due to the earthquake threat. In this project, which is reportedly being carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the goal is to reduce the excessive density in Marmara and balance the distribution of industry across the country.

According to a report by the pro-government newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi, it is suggested that within this scope, new industrial basins will be created in the Central Anatolia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, taking earthquake risk into account, and that existing industrial investments will be directed to specific cities in Anatolia. While measures against a potential earthquake are prioritized in the study, the future of industrial facilities and organized industrial zones (OIZs) has been put on the table. The risk status of the 77 OIZs and large industrial establishments in Marmara has begun to be analyzed in detail.

It was reported that critical infrastructure, transportation, and energy lines in terms of earthquake resilience are also part of this plan. With the guide to be prepared, it will become clear where new industrial zones will be established and how existing industry will be relocated.

Information also suggests that the study is being conducted in cooperation with the Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute.

14 PROVINCES IN ANATOLIA STAND OUT

It is claimed that the cities of Kastamonu, Samsun, Ankara, Amasya, Eskişehir, Yozgat, Kırşehir, Nevşehir, Aksaray, Kayseri, Konya, Niğde, Karaman, and Mersin will gain prominence in the new migration plan in Anatolia. The reason for selecting these provinces is cited as their relatively low earthquake risk.

While drawing attention to the current density in Marmara, it is emphasized that Bursa is the province with the highest number of OIZs in Turkey and that its risk level is high because it is located on an active fault line. On the other hand, it is noted that Kocaeli, which hosts the most large industrial establishments, is also in a first-degree earthquake zone. Tekirdağ ranks second in OIZ density and carries a second-degree earthquake risk.

With this planned migration and investment strategy, the aim is both to distribute the population more evenly and to secure the country's industrial production against natural disasters such as earthquakes.

News Source: 12punto