A new formula against earthquakes in Istanbul: 330 thousand buildings can be saved without demolition using this method

It has emerged that approximately half of the 600 thousand high-risk buildings in Istanbul can be saved without being demolished. Moreover, this method reduces costs by up to two-thirds.

In the face of the risk of a potential major earthquake in Istanbul, 600 thousand buildings have been identified as risky. However, approximately 330 thousand of these buildings can be saved through reinforcement work alone, without requiring demolition.

According to a report by Hamide Hangül from Dünya; Sinan Türkkan, President of the Earthquake Strengthening Association (DEGÜDER), stated that it is possible to reinforce buildings using new techniques without even needing to evacuate them.

Türkkan noted that the cost of retrofitting has dropped to as low as 10 percent compared to the cost of demolition and reconstruction.

While the cost per square meter to rebuild a building is 40-45 thousand liras, retrofitting can reduce this cost down to 10 thousand liras.

Furthermore, the reinforcement period lasts only 8 months and does not harm the environment.

Türkkan emphasized that through legislative changes to be made during this process, 330 thousand buildings in Istanbul could be made earthquake-resistant.

More than half of the risky building stock in Istanbul can be reinforced using correct techniques and at lower costs.

In Istanbul, buildings constructed according to old earthquake regulations stand out, particularly in the Fatih, Üsküdar, Bağcılar, and Pendik districts.

According to Türkkan, action must be taken without delay for at least 150 thousand of these buildings.

While there are 6.5 million high-risk residential units across Turkey, local governments lack sufficient technical experts to carry out reinforcement projects.

This situation is causing delays in many projects and creating a loss of time for structures that require urgent measures.

To ensure a safer Istanbul against earthquake risk, it is necessary to accelerate reinforcement projects and implement legal regulations.