Collective complicity is the reason for the extent of the devastation in Turkey,
According to Turkish architects, undisciplined urbanization and construction,
ignorance, inefficiency, unskilled workforce, and lack of technical knowledge of architects and engineers
are just a few of the main results of the devastating earthquake between Turkey and Syria.
While the architects argue that the devastation caused by the earthquake resulted from negligence and a “systematic breakdown”
in the chain of production and construction, they also contend that it led to “collective collusion regarding the form of production”.
In addition, the architects believe that the disastrous urbanization policies guided by political will,
the collapse of the architectural education system, the building amnesties, and the implementation of urban renewal plans,
have greatly exacerbated the destruction.
Unfortunately, the problem has not been solved by arresting the contractors,
as they are not the only perpetrators in this maniacal chain of production.
The building regulations in force today are also completely inadequate in an earthquake setting,
and there is a lack of privacy and variety that can be adapted to local conditions.
It would not be wrong to use the term “collective collusion”
in connection with the form of production that has been in force in this sector for the past fifty years.
This earthquake did not come as a surprise. In the 1999 Turkey earthquake,
it was possible for the rulers of this country to rehabilitate many building stocks in Turkey after this period,
especially in places where there are active fault lines.
This period could have been used more efficiently and in accordance with scientific facts,
and the laws that had been passed could have been adhered to.
Collective complicity
Deficiencies could also have been amended if necessary, and necessary arrangements made possible.
If the construction process in the last twenty years had been carried out in accordance with the standards of design,
production and general supervision, today’s catastrophic situation could have been avoided and the destruction would not have been so great.
Instead of restoring the existing building stock, many new buildings were added to the defective structures and this inevitable destruction occurred.
Besides irresponsibility, negligence, illegal behavior, incompetence and ignorance,
there are multiple participants that form parts of this chain in the space industry.
They deliberately manipulate the information in the cadaster of the property they purchased and do not ask for a building permit.
The landlords are aware that the apartment they live in is likely to collapse in even a small earthquake,
but they continue to live in it.
Collective complicity is the reason for the extent of the devastation in Turkey
Local officials give consent by ignoring the flawed elements of their basic incompetence.
The architect also held the contractors and building inspection companies responsible for the destruction,
asserting that the contractors who build the buildings based on those projects along with the cheapest labor force
and materials of questionable quality.
In addition to the building inspection companies that receive payment without visiting the construction sites even though they should control these contractors.
Finally, the political authority that gives blatant legitimacy to this system,
concludes all this disgrace in an instant in order to collect votes, and announces an amnesty for construction.
On the other hand, the architect emphasized that this situation is not valid for the entire country,
and there are also highly efficient buildings developed by groups that practice their profession properly, and plan, design,
manufacture and examine according to international standards.
Also, regulations related to production and inspection processes in the construction industry in Turkey must be viewed as a whole.
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