Tayfun Küçükoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Türkiye İMSAD, made a statement after the earthquake that took place in Düzce on November 23 and drew attention to the fact that lessons should be learned by evaluating the results from many aspects.
Tayfun Küçükoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Türkiye İMSAD, said, “Considering the earthquake risk of our country, it should be our priority to make our buildings strong and safe. This earthquake tells us that the right material was made in the right place with the right project and in the right hands; He reminded us of the importance of making sure of the documented journey of the documented materials.”
Making an assessment after the earthquake that occurred in Düzce on November 23 and was felt strongly in the surrounding provinces, Tayfun Küçükoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Construction Material Industrialists Association, drew attention to the need to evaluate the results of the earthquake from many aspects. Tayfun Küçükoğlu said, “A few days after the anniversary of the 12 November Düzce earthquake, when we talked about the effects of the earthquake, we were shaken by another Düzce-centered earthquake. First of all, we wish to get well soon, we wish God's mercy on our citizens who passed away, and a speedy recovery to our wounded. After a disaster we experienced 23 years ago, Düzce, whose building stock was renewed and transformed into earthquake-proof ones, gave a big test in the earthquake that took place on the night of 23 November. Considering the severity of the earthquake, apart from old buildings and buildings with some application errors, the damage in the city was also limited. This is our greatest consolation,” he said.
Tayfun Küçükoğlu, stating that as Türkiye İMSAD, they try to draw attention to the importance of urban transformation, renewal and strengthening at almost every opportunity, said, “When creating the cities of the future, we should act with the awareness that the risk is not caused by earthquakes, but by unsafe structures, and we should build our cities within the framework of this reality. We must focus on sustainable buildings to increase the number of earthquake resistant, energy efficient buildings in all our cities. It is necessary to build 20-year-old structures and living spaces, not structures that will be transformed again in 30-100 years. Earthquake preparedness should be the first step we take for our cities right now.”
“The earthquake reminded the importance of the right material and the right application”
Tayfun Küçükoğlu continued his words as follows: “The last earthquake we experienced told us that the right material was made in the right place with the right project and in the right hands; reminded us of the importance of making sure of the documented journey of the documented materials. We state by emphasizing again and again that; The production and quality of the material as well as its application in the project area affect the efficiency of the products. In the constructions, the products selected correctly according to the characteristics of the project in competent hands should be used in accordance with the conditions. Errors or deficiencies that may occur during the construction and application process in construction may cause serious irreversible results. The missing material makes you feel its absence and it is not possible to close this absence. The right materials and the right applications make the buildings strong. One of the lessons we will learn for the future from this earthquake is the correct use of materials and the necessity of following the documented journey by the authorities.”
“The issue of earthquake is always on our agenda”
Tayfun Küçükoğlu stated that as Türkiye İMSAD they always keep the earthquake issue on the agenda and said, “On the anniversary of the 17 August Marmara Earthquake, Türkiye İMSAD and its member associations signed a joint statement. While drawing attention to the earthquake preparedness of our cities in the joint call, "Let's prepare our buildings against earthquakes with the right materials and correct practices", each member of our association mentioned the importance of quality materials and applications in terms of their activities. Again, in the 51st of the “Agenda Meetings” we organize every month, Prof. from Boğaziçi University. Dr. With Mustafa Erdik and DEGÜDER Chairman of the Board Sinan Türkkan, we shared with the public the issues of earthquake preparedness, renewal, deep renewal and reinforcement with striking examples. As Türkiye İMSAD, which represents the Turkish construction materials industry, we will continue to produce solutions and take responsibility for a vital issue such as earthquakes.”