Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Mehmet Özhaseki announced that his ministry is working on earthquake law for Istanbul.
The metropolis expected to suffer major damage in a possible large-scale earthquake.
The minister announced that an extraordinary session of the parliament will be calledwho is currently on summer vacation, so that this law can be passed as a matter of urgency.
Of the 5.8 million independent residential buildings in Istanbul, nearly 1.5 million are considered at risk in the event of an earthquakeYozhaseki announced, adding that his ministry is accelerating urban transformation efforts in the metropolis, which is home to more than 16 million people, according to official figures.
„Almost a quarter of the structures are at risk. In the event of an earthquake of magnitude seven or greater, 600,000 buildings will be completely destroyed, leading to catastrophic consequences such as transport disruption, infrastructure collapse, electricity and gas outages, fires and water disruptions. Istanbul will turn into a huge prison,” warns Yozhaseki.
The issue of earthquake resilience in Istanbul was put back on the agenda after the February 6 earthquakes in the southern part of the country, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people and seriously devastated 11 cities.
Geologists have been warning Istanbul of a major earthquake for more than 20 years.
Yohhaseki stated that preparations are underway special draft law for Istanbul to rapidly accelerate urban transformation. Talks have begun both with the large municipality of Istanbul and with all 39 municipalities in the metropolis.
Other relevant bodies such as the Ankara Presidency Directorate for Emergencies and Natural Disasters (AFAD) and the Istanbul Governor’s Office were also included in the talks, he added.
Initial reports on the effort will be presented during a cabinet meeting in the coming daysYozhaseki announced.
Leaving the process of urban transformation to the initiative and joint agreements of residents and contractors has cost Istanbul a lot of wasted time.
The new law is expected to give powers to more radical measures and decisions regarding the demolition and construction of new buildings, in the place of structures threatened with collapse.
Yozhaseki added that the authority is ready to build 350,000 buildings in reserve areas for citizens living in risky buildings.
2023-08-04 10:30:00
#Awaiting #Richter #scale #quarter #buildings #meet..
