The situation of post-disaster assembly areas was discussed at the District Disaster Coordination Meeting organized by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality in Darıca. Academicians, local administrators and representatives of relevant institutions attended the meeting.
THE MEETING WAS WIDELY ATTENDED
The District Disaster Coordination Meeting, which is regularly held every month by the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Affairs Department, was held in Darıca district this month. The meeting was attended by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Affairs Department Head Şemsettin Yıldırım, Kocaeli University Urban and Regional Planning Department Head Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Kıvanç Kutluca, Darıca Deputy Mayor İsmail Ramazanoğlu and the Disaster Affairs Directors of the district municipalities.
“WE HAVE DEVELOPED SOLUTION SUGGESTIONS”
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Dr. Lecturer Ahmet Kıvanç Kutluca stated that assembly areas are of great importance not only in times of disaster but also in pre-disaster planning processes. Sharing the observations made in the field with his students, Kutluca said, “We examined the areas on site and developed practical solution suggestions. This process is very valuable in terms of public-university cooperation as well as academic contribution.”
THE GOAL IS A DISASTER-READY CITY
Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Affairs Department Head Şemsettin Yıldırım drew attention to the vital importance of assembly areas for safe assembly after a disaster. Yıldırım said, “These areas need to be accessible, up-to-date and properly planned. We are carrying out this process in coordination with district municipalities and the Gendarmerie Command. Our goal is to create a city that is prepared for disaster.”
COORDINATION WITH THE GENDARME
The importance of coordination with the Gendarmerie Command in the process of determining, updating and integrating assembly areas into the system was emphasized at the meeting. The processing of newly determined areas into data systems and updates to existing areas were among the important agenda items of the meeting. In addition, detailed evaluations were made regarding data sharing and field applications.
UNIVERSITY-STUDENT CONTRIBUTION
The meeting also touched on the “Darıca District Gathering Areas Study” project, which is being conducted in collaboration with Kocaeli University Faculty of Architecture. Within the scope of the project, approximately 110 architecture faculty 3rd year students are conducting evaluation and design studies in 50 gathering areas in Darıca. While the students examine the compliance of the areas with the determined criteria, they also develop functional and sustainable design proposals. The project aims to develop gathering area criteria and increase their applicability in the field.
