ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER - January 2011
FIRST INCIDENT OF THE NEW YEAR
In my first article of 2011, I wished everyone a year full of their heart’s desires. January 1st is almost like a milestone. New decisions are made, new goals are set, evaluations are done, and another step is taken toward the future. First of all, we wish for positive steps for our country and Elazığ, and for everyone’s good fortune.
Unfortunately, some negative situations can’t be easily removed from our lives. Not a day goes by without hearing about a traffic accident. However, if you pay attention, you’ll notice that we are also starting to hear more about issues related to buildings. Almost every day, there is a negative news report about structures that catches our eye on newspapers and television.
The first sad event of the new year occurred in Bayburt. On the first day of the year, a two-story wooden house collapsed during an engagement ceremony. In the village of Genç Osman, near the city center, the upper floor of the house where women were gathered collapsed, leading to injuries.
Out of the approximately 60 people in the house, 36 were injured and taken to the hospital. Five of the injured are still receiving treatment, and sadly, one person is critically injured. The early intervention of the Gendarmerie prevented the loss of life, which is a relief. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured and hope such incidents never happen again.
When we set aside the emotional aspects of the incident, it is not enough to just wish that accidents don’t happen. The causes of these accidents must be examined, and the necessary precautions must be taken to prevent them from recurring.
The fact that there were no fatalities in the Bayburt incident is a big stroke of luck. Today, many structures in rural areas are facing the same situation. The weight of 60 guests at an engagement ceremony is, believe it or not, no less than the force of an earthquake. However, the building could not withstand this dynamic load.
When we review the existing building stock in our country, we see that the number of rural and urban structures are roughly balanced. This situation brings forward the need for transformation projects not only for urban areas but also for rural structures.
Most of the smaller settlements in our districts have histories that go back even before the Republic was founded. This reality leads us to conclude that their buildings are aging as well. When you also consider that these buildings have outdated structural systems, and that they have worn out over time, it becomes clear how big the danger we face due to these buildings is.
You might ask: "Do buildings wear out?" The answer is yes, buildings wear out just like people, and they have a lifespan. If the wear and tear of the materials and the building are ignored, this negligence will likely cause problems even without an earthquake.
In many provinces across different geographic regions and earthquake zones, buildings have collapsed without an earthquake. If a comprehensive study is conducted in many provinces, including Elazığ, it will likely be determined that a significant portion of the buildings are unsafe to inhabit.
To prevent new incidents in the new year, new projects, new efforts, and therefore new policies must be developed and implemented. Unfortunately, both at the local and national levels, not enough importance is given to the serious condition of buildings.
After an earthquake, of course, the wounds will be healed. However, the relevant authorities fulfilling their duties should not be seen as a plus. I think the beginning of the year is a time for self-criticism.
The race for the upcoming general elections has already begun. We see politicians declaring their candidacy. It is my wish that these politicians include earthquake and urban transformation projects in their agendas, and I hope that citizens will respond at the ballot box to those politicians who ignore these issues.
I also believe that the media has an important role to play in this matter. By encouraging politicians to come up with projects on earthquake preparedness and urban transformation, we can ensure that broken promises are held accountable. Our goal is not to make someone accountable, but to create societal pressure on issues of earthquake preparedness and urban transformation, and to ensure that Elazığ benefits from this.
Urban transformation is not just a solution for earthquakes, it is also an economic gain. This is because the energy savings achieved through the renewal of structures can reach significant amounts. Getting more heat with less fuel is only possible through technological buildings.
Urban transformation will also modernize infrastructure, such as sewage, water, electricity, and installations, bringing everyone in the modern city into a true living standard.
In this period, we want to hear not about what others couldn’t do, but about the projects and planned work that our politicians themselves aim to do. If citizens' demands align with this, it will increase the level of service in Elazığ.