The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has launched a comprehensive study on areas where city residents can safely gather and meet their urgent needs after a possible disaster. The “Spatial Analysis of Accessibility of Disaster Gathering Areas in Izmir” conducted by the Izmir Planning Agency (IZPA) provides a detailed snapshot of the current situation while also providing important data for future strategies. IZPA President Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu emphasized that the main purpose of the analyses conducted is to ensure that citizens can easily reach gathering areas during and after a disaster.
Izmir's Disaster Gathering Areas Inventory
Continuing its work towards the goal of “Disaster Resilient Izmir”, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has created a detailed inventory of the current disaster and emergency assembly areas in the city through IZPA. As a result of the meticulous work, 2 disaster and emergency assembly areas It was detected. In addition, for a possible shelter need in the city 71 temporary shelter areas These numbers show that Izmir has an important infrastructure in terms of being prepared for a potential disaster.
Spatial Inequality is the Fundamental Problem
İZPA President Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu stated that although the number of existing assembly areas may seem sufficient at first glance, the real problem lies in the unequal distribution of these areas spatially, namely across districts, neighborhoods and the city. Velibeyoğlu said, “We see that there are sufficient earthquake assembly areas in many places, including Istanbul. There is no major problem with this. The real problem is the unequal distribution of these areas spatially, namely across districts, neighborhoods and cities. Because in the event of an earthquake or a crisis, it is necessary to be able to easily reach the earthquake assembly area within walking distance.” This determination reveals that it is vital not only to determine a sufficient number of areas, but also to position these areas within the urban fabric at accessible and equal distances.
Concentration in the Gulf Region Poses Risk
Prof. Dr. Velibeyoğlu stated that the geographical structure of İzmir, especially the densely populated structure around the gulf, deepened this inequality and said, “İZPA President Koray Velibeyoğlu said that İzmir has a densely populated structure around the gulf and said, “The gulf and its surroundings have come to host a large population over time. The population is concentrated in areas with high earthquake risk. 4 million of the 1 million are in the periphery and rural areas. There are more comfortable earthquake assembly areas and open spaces in the rural areas and on the periphery. It is not essential for these areas to be designated as earthquake assembly areas. What is important is that they are open spaces.” This analysis shows that access to assembly areas is a more critical problem in the gulf region, which has a high earthquake risk and high population density.
Criteria for Assembly Areas and the Works of the Metropolitan Municipality
Prof. Dr. Velibeyoğlu also explained the basic criteria that post-disaster assembly areas should meet. “Earthquake assembly areas are places we reach in emergencies. The main thing is to create large, numerous, interconnected and easily accessible open areas in the city. These can be small neighborhood parks, children's playgrounds, city parks,” said Velibeyoğlu, indicating that the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is carrying out serious work to improve the current stock and create new open areas. Re-functioning idle areas and making under-used areas productive is an important part of these works. The renovation works in Kültürpark, Hasanağa Garden and İnciraltı City Forest stand out as concrete examples of this vision. In addition, strengthening pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation connections between these areas plays a critical role in increasing accessibility.
Zoning Plans Are Being Revised
Emphasizing that with the aim of creating a city resilient against disasters, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality attaches great importance not only to post-disaster interventions but also to precautions to be taken before a disaster, Prof. Dr. Velibeyoğlu said, “What is important is the work to be done before an earthquake occurs. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality continues its multi-faceted work in many different areas for this purpose. The city’s master development plans are being revised. Social housing initiatives are being made. Urban transformation work is being done.” Stating that the main purpose of these comprehensive works is to create areas that are both earthquake-resistant and livable, Velibeyoğlu added that the focus of the planning and transformation works to be carried out is strategies for how people will live in better and safer environments. This holistic approach of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is considered an important step towards making the city more resilient against the effects of potential disasters.
