TEMA Foundation: Planning studies in the aftermath of the earthquake should be done with a holistic view and considering the ecosystem

The earthquakes hitting on February 6 and affecting the Mediterranean, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions claimed the lives of tens of thousands of our citizens, caused the property and history of hundreds of thousands of our citizens to be destroyed. Ms. Deniz Ataç, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the TEMA Foundation, emphasised that the planning studies in the aftermath of the earthquake should not be carried out according to immediate needs, but with a holistic view and taking into account the ecosystem, and said, “Decisions made against the rights of both the people of the region and nature for this wide geography, which has been destroyed, will lead to the formation of disconnected new settlements and new irreversible problems.”

Emphasising that there is a very serious need to reconstruct cities in a sustainable way after the housing needs of our citizens who were deeply affected by the disaster are urgently met, Ms. Deniz Ataç said, “When we evaluate the Presidential Decree No. 126, we are concerned that pastures and forests will be protected, demolition waste will be disposed of in a way that does not threaten the environment and human health, and the provinces affected by the earthquake will be planned and built with a holistic approach. Decisions against both human and nature's rights will result in the creation of new settlements disconnected from their historical and cultural context as well as new irreversible problems for this vast geography which has been destroyed.''

“First of all, quality temporary living spaces should be provided to the victims of the disaster as soon as possible”

Stating that reconstruction of cities is an issue that spreads over the long term, can be implemented in stages and can be realised with the participation of multiple actors, Ms. Ataç said, “While this process is being carried out, in the short and medium term, temporary living spaces should be provided so that people can protect their cities, cultures and natural assets without having to abondon their living spaces permanently. Environmentally compatible solutions that will enable people to maintain their existing social and spatial relationships and that will not harm natural areas should be developed with a common mind, without excluding any group. Urban and rural communities have different needs. Temporary housing types, where such difference is taken into consideration and solutions can be provided in accordance with the diversity of needs, should be offered in appropriate places and forms.”

“Safe living spaces that are compatible with ecological realities should be planned”

Ms. Ataç reminded that it was not only residential areas that were lost in urban and rural areas after the demolition, “A very valuable system has collapsed with its agriculture, industry, cultural assets and unique geography. The only method to overcome this collapse is holistic and ecosystem-based development plans, regional plans, environment plans and subsequent development plans.

Successive disasters such as epidemics, fires, floods, earthquakes and droughts constantly remind us that we live in very risky conditions as a society. Therefore, city and regional planning is the most powerful tool we have in order to build a life that is resilient to overlapping risk factors such as earthquakes and climate crisis.”

“Community must be involved in the planning and design processes through democratic methods”

Stating that another important issue in planning is to avoid approaches that keep the public from the region and exclude them from the decision processes, Ms. Deniz Ataç said that the more transparent and participatory the post-disaster recovery process is, the healthier it will be to repair the losses and establish a new life in the region. Ms. Ataç said, “Cities that we can live in peace, tranquillity and prosperity in the long term in safe cities can only be created through planning” and said, “Planning aims to construct the actions and programs in all these processes in a holistic way and to produce the cultural, social and economic life as a whole, socially and spatially. It will not be sufficient and correct to deactivate such an important tool and to understand and implement the rebuilding of cities after disasters as housing production only through engineering services to be provided after ground-structure analysis. In addition, it will cause people to be completely blocked from participating in the process during the construction of their own living spaces.”

Emphasising that "We are aware of the fact that we are in an extraordinary situation," Ataç said, "In these days when we try to heal the wounds together and reduce the pain by sharing, we underline the organisation of a process that is compatible with human dignity, values and needs and is in harmony with nature. With the awareness that our ancient cities have hosted urban and rural life for centuries, we call on all decision makers to plan not haphazardly but through permanent, effective solutions that will not cause other problems by running long-term, informed and foreseen, holistic and ecosystem-based planning processes, and we would like to thank everyone who will contribute to the process.”

We are raising hope!                                                                         TEMA Foundation