Naci Görür identifies cities at risk: 'These cities have become even more vulnerable after the February 6 earthquakes'

Following the 5.1 and 4.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred in Gemlik, the possibility of an Istanbul earthquake has returned to the agenda. 

Geoscientist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür had previously announced in an interview with DW Turkish that the earthquake risk for Istanbul, where millions of citizens live, has risen to 47 percent.

Continuing his warnings regarding the earthquake threat, Görür stated on a Cumhuriyet TV broadcast, "What needs to be done to prepare Istanbul or any city for an earthquake is clear. We must make its administration, its people, its infrastructure, its building stock, its ecosystem and environment, and its economy earthquake-resistant. We know the scale of the earthquake that will occur. You must research how much damage it will cause to the components I have listed when this earthquake happens, and you must start reducing this damage. It is possible to create earthquake-resistant cities. Information societies have done this. We have everything; the only thing we lack is political will."

"THE GOVERNMENT MUST COOPERATE WITH MUNICIPALITIES"

Stating that scientists are consulted in local and national politics but that field work is insufficient, Görür said, "We have been talking for 20 years, holding workshops and panels, but we are never able to go out into the field and do what we want to do. We have no missing information on preparing any city for an earthquake. The Metropolitan Municipality is putting in a lot of effort in this regard. If we start doing this work with a specific ministry budget and program, and if the government acts in solidarity with the municipalities, we will succeed." 

2 PROVINCES AT RISK!

Explaining the regions at risk, Görür stated that his colleagues would also agree with him and pointed to the cities of Tunceli and Bingöl. Görür said, "These cities have become even more vulnerable after the February 6 earthquakes. The period for generating an earthquake between Erzincan and Bingöl Karlıova has been completed. There is a high probability of an earthquake occurring here in the near future. Tunceli and Bingöl will be affected to a large extent by this earthquake. The area between Karlıova and Göynük is at risk. It is necessary to prepare these regions for an earthquake." 

"CITIES THAT WILL BRING AID TO ISTANBUL MUST BE PREPARED!"

Stating that earthquake preparedness in Istanbul should be turned into a mobilization effort with the cooperation of the government and the municipality, while also involving the public in the process, Görür said, "A lot of work has been done in Istanbul so far. Both the government and the municipality have carried out work. Still, Istanbul is not ready for an earthquake. If we are caught unprepared for this earthquake, there will be more destruction than what was experienced on February 6. From now on, cities that will deliver aid to Istanbul in such a situation must be determined, and necessary materials must be stocked." 

"URBAN TRANSFORMATION IS NOT JUST CONSTRUCTION"

Drawing attention to the misconceptions regarding urban transformation, Görür said the following:

"Preparing for an earthquake does not just mean renewing the building stock. If roads, bridges, drinking water networks, and airports are not in working order, it does not mean anything that houses do not collapse. Preparing a city for an earthquake must be holistic. It cannot be done with construction alone. Urban transformation is not a contracting business."