The February 2023 report of the Istanbul Barometer survey, carried out monthly by the Istanbul Planning Agency, has been published. Earthquakes affecting 11 provinces, primarily Kahramanmaraş, Hatay and Adıyaman and causing serious loss of life and property, and the possible Marmara Earthquake were on the agenda of Istanbulites in February.
Respondents were asked what was most talked about at home in February. 76 percent of the participants stated that the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş were the most talked about topic at home. 90,7 percent stated that the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes were the agenda of Turkey, and 73,7 percent stated that the probable Istanbul Earthquake was the agenda of Istanbul in February.
The number of respondents who think that their residence/building will be severely damaged or destroyed if an earthquake of seven or more severe occurs near Istanbul, is 29,8 percent. 1999 percent of the participants, who stated that they lived in buildings built before 45,9, think that the house/building they live in will be severely damaged or demolished. 50,1% of the participants stated that the building they live in would be moved to a safer residence in case of risky emergence.
21,7 percent of the participants stated that they would have to continue to stay even if the building was damaged due to financial insufficiencies. When analyzed according to the socioeconomic status of the participants, 25,8 percent of the participants with lower socioeconomic status stated that they will continue to stay in their building due to financial inadequacies. As the socioeconomic level increased, there was an increase in the proportion of respondents who stated that they wanted to meet with the residents to renovate the building.
The rate of those who think that their buildings should be retrofitted or transformed into urban transformation was 47,2 percent. When the results of the participants are examined according to the building age, 1999 percent of the participants who stated that they lived in buildings built before 68,9 stated that the building should be retrofitted or urban transformation should be done. While 65,7 percent of the participants stated that the central government should take part in making the buildings earthquake resistant in Istanbul, 61,9% stated that the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality should take charge.
It is thought that the most effective method in accelerating urban transformation in Istanbul can be achieved by securing it by official institutions. This method was followed by the provision of financial support such as rental assistance and legal obligations for disputes between neighbors.
50,1% of the participants stated that they are considering an earthquake risk assessment in their residence. 1999 percent of the participants, who stated that they lived in buildings built before 54,1, stated that they were considering an earthquake risk assessment for their residence. 33,4 percent of the participants stated that after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, they held a meeting with other building residents about the earthquake or the situation of their residences. It is thought that 19,3 percent of the participants should go through urban transformation in their apartments. It was observed that this rate was 1999 percent for the participants living in the building constructed before 29,5.
“February of this year has been the unhappiest month that Istanbulites have spent in the last two years”
The average happiness score, which was 4,9 during the Istanbul Barometer survey, was measured as 2,7 this month. The level of life satisfaction in February, which the participants were asked to evaluate out of 10, was measured as 3,7. 58 percent of the participants stated that they felt angry in the last few days.