Call of Conscience from Science ‘Earthquakes, Urban Transformation, and Sustainable Cities’ Published
On the anniversary of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, one of the greatest disasters in Türkiye's recent history, the comprehensive scientific work titled “Earthquakes, Urban Transformation, and Sustainable Cities,” prepared by TÜBA, was published. The book examines not only the destroyed buildings but also the neglected policies, postponed responsibilities, and social conscience.
Published on the anniversary of February 6, “Earthquake, Urban Transformation, and Sustainable Cities” aims to go beyond commemorating those lost and to mobilize scientific reason and social conscience together to prevent the same pain from being experienced again.
The result of approximately one year of planned and coordinated work, the book was prepared with contributions from academics in numerous disciplines, ranging from engineering to urban and regional planning, environmental sciences to law, public administration to health and social sciences. The fundamental aim of the work was to address earthquake-resistant cities and sustainable urbanization not as separate areas, but as integral parts of the same whole.
A scientific book, a social responsibility
In the book's foreword, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker emphasizes that earthquakes cannot be treated solely as natural events; that failure to take precautions despite scientific knowledge turns disasters into catastrophes. This approach points to a fundamental principle that permeates the entire work: It is as much a responsibility to produce science as it is to reflect science in decision-making processes.
Within this framework, the book goes beyond structural safety and engineering solutions to address the strengths and weaknesses of existing legislation, the social and legal problems encountered in urban transformation applications, energy efficiency and renewable energy integration, water-sensitive cities, waste management and environmental infrastructure, public health, transportation, food security, climate change, and smart cities.
Lessons that cannot be forgotten from February 6
The book analyzes the types of damage identified after the February 6 earthquakes, recurring structural errors, and the social costs of these errors. Supported by scientific data, these analyses provide clear answers to the question, “Why are we suffering the same pain again?” In this respect, the book is not merely an academic publication; it serves as a guiding reference for decision-makers, local governments, and practitioners.
Another noteworthy aspect of the work is that it does not ignore the moral impact of the earthquake. The earthquake causes damage not only to buildings but also to the sense of justice, equality, and understanding of public responsibility. The fact that safe housing is not a privilege but a fundamental right is particularly emphasized between the lines of the book. It is emphasized that post-disaster reconstruction processes are not only a technical issue but also an ethical one.