In Bursa, which is located in the first degree earthquake zone, after the 1999 Marmara earthquake, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, JICA, which implemented the Bursa Seismic Ground Hazard Assessment Projects by establishing the ground survey research unit, established the Earthquake Science Board and set an example for Turkey with its urban transformation works. It continues its 'Earthquake Risk Reduction and Prevention Planning Project' at full speed. The joint meeting of the project held at the Metropolitan Municipality Council Meeting Hall was attended by Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Ulaş Akhan, Deputy Secretary General Gülten Kapıcıoğlu, members of the Earthquake Science Board Prof. Dr. Adem Doğangün, Prof. Dr. Murat Taş, Assoc. Dr. Berkay Aydin, Prof. Dr. Beyhan Bayhan, Prof. Dr. Şerif Barış, TÜBİTAK, public institutions and JICA representatives and Metropolitan Municipality bureaucrats attended. JICA Turkey Office President Daisuke Watanabe and JICA Team Leader Shinichi Fukasawa also attended the meeting remotely.
AS A GUIDE
Secretary General Ulaş Akhan said that they aimed to identify areas at high risk of damage in a possible earthquake that may occur in Bursa with the work between the Metropolitan Municipality and JICA and said, “The first outputs of the long-standing project were shared in this meeting. A lot of data was collected throughout the study. Our scientific board members guided the project with their suggestions. As a result of the evaluation, it was revealed that one fifth of the building stock in the city needed to be renewed. In line with these results, we will move on to the second phase of the project. As a result of risk assessment analyses, an urban resilience plan will be prepared. Priority area for urban transformation will be determined. Solutions will be produced that will make our city a safer, more resilient and more sustainable city. We will create the Bursa model by implementing the urban resilience plan created with the first outputs of the project. We aim to be an example to other municipalities in Turkey. We aim for urban transformation with 100 thousand houses in the new period. "The study will serve as a guide for Bursa's risk map," he said.
'LET'S BUILD BETTER'
JICA Turkey Office President Daisuke Watanabe stated that the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş once again revealed the importance of the precautions to be taken before the disaster. Reminding that the Marmara Region is in the earthquake zone, Watanabe explained that the necessary efforts should be made to take all precautions against this risk. Stating that they acted with the motto of 'let's build better' in the project, Watanabe said: “This strategy goes much beyond reconstruction. We aim to build a more resilient, sustainable and adaptable community. We will ensure that Bursa is divided into a structure that is not only able to withstand difficulties, but also stronger and more resilient than ever before. By working together, we want citizens to continue their lives in a safe and resilient way. "The results obtained in the project will also contribute to studies in other areas," he said.
