Istanbul’s Looming Earthquake Threat: A Call for Urgent Action
In a recent program, expert Azad Medeni Kahraman issued a stark warning, emphasizing that the most critical issue facing Turkey today is the impending threat of a major earthquake, particularly in Istanbul.
“Turkey’s most vital agenda is the earthquake. It is necessary to carry out on-site and rapid urban transformation in districts like Güngören, Aksaray, Fatih, Beyoğlu, and Avcılar urgently. This country’s primary agenda is the earthquake. However, unfortunately, as a society, we forget very quickly. This is our biggest problem,” Kahraman stated.
High-Risk Districts Requiring Immediate Intervention
Kahraman specifically identified several districts in Istanbul where the need for urban renewal is most pressing. These areas require immediate attention to mitigate potential disaster.
- Güngören
- Aksaray
- Fatih
- Beyoğlu
- Avcılar
A Plea for Human-Centric and Collective Responsibility
Kahraman stressed that urban transformation must prioritize human life over profit and that responsibility is a collective effort involving not just the state but all stakeholders, including construction professionals.
“In urban transformation processes, not only the structures but also the people and the right to life must be prioritized. The state is doing its best, but the responsibility cannot be solely placed on the public. If a builder uses sea sand, no amount of inspection will be sufficient. That’s why we always say; we must build human-oriented, not profit-oriented, tomorrows,” he explained.
Eyewitness to Disaster: A Call for Solidarity
Artist Tuğba Özay, also a guest on the program, shared her harrowing experience visiting the region after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, reinforcing the reality of the devastation.
“The first night I went to the earthquake zone, everything was truly horrific. It was like a war zone. That night, we sat outside until morning with our soldiers and gendarmes. The weather was very cold, and the tremors were still continuing. It was as if a monster was coming from under the ground. They told me ‘don’t stay here, go back.’ But I said ‘no.’ I couldn’t bring myself to leave those people there and return.”
Özay also highlighted the importance of public discourse and awareness in driving change.
“Solidarity and social consciousness are very important. The program you are doing is very valuable because the realities of life and the country are being discussed. Everyone wants solid and safe buildings. Platforms like this are greatly needed to make these demands a reality.”
The program, ‘Dayanıklı Yarınlar’ (Resilient Tomorrows), will continue to feature new guests to discuss these critical issues.