ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER - March 2010
“IDEAL REPUBLICAN VILLAGES”: A SOLUTION FOR SEEKERS!
Earthquakes are a common problem not just for Turkey but for the entire world. Located on active fault lines, Turkey has experienced many devastating earthquakes throughout its history. Situated in the Alp-Himalayan Belt, where approximately 25% of the world's earthquakes occur annually, Turkey is in one of the most hazardous sections of this zone. This danger has been evident since the early years of the Republic. For example, in the 1924 Pasinler earthquake, 310 people lost their lives, and 4,300 buildings were heavily damaged. Similarly, the 1930 earthquake near the Hakkâri border resulted in 2,514 fatalities and the destruction of 3,000 buildings. These catastrophic losses prompted the authorities of the time to take action. Among the most significant outcomes of these efforts was the planning of the "Ideal Republican Village," alongside the establishment of disaster regulations. Preparations for the "Ideal Republican Village" Plan coincided with the publication of the first disaster regulations in 1935, titled "Technical Norms for All Constructions, Including Regulations for Buildings in Earthquake Zones."
The "Ideal Republican Village" plan was prepared in 1937. It was presented by General Kazım Dirlik, the Inspector General of Thrace, to Professor Dr. Afet İnan. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk reviewed and highly praised the plan, urging its implementation. However, his untimely death prevented the realization of this vision, and despite the passing of years, this ideal has yet to be achieved. Notably, the original plan bears two key annotations: "Published by the Inspectorate General of Thrace" and "All rights reserved." Additionally, it is mentioned that the plan was priced at 25 kuruş and printed at Ahmet İhsan Printing House. Professor Dr. Afet İnan, a founding member of the Turkish Historical Society, had the plan reprinted in a smaller format but with the same colors at the Turkish Historical Society. She included this plan in the appendix of her book, "The Principle of Statism and Turkey's First Five-Year Industrial Plan (1933)." She also submitted the plan to the Ministry of Reconstruction and Settlement, hoping it would inspire future village planning.
The Ideal Republican Village Plan can be regarded as a scientific thesis integrating urban planning, earthquake resistance, economic considerations, social living, modernity, and foresight. The layout design of the structures is particularly noteworthy and could easily be adapted to urban centers with modernization. The plan encompasses every detail necessary for a village, including:
School and practice gardens,
Teacher's house,
Community center,
Village mansion,
Guest rooms,
Reading room,
Conference hall,
Hotel/inn,
Children's playground,
Village park,
Telephone exchange,
Village casino (with radio),
Social institutions,
Agricultural and handicraft museums,
Youth club,
Bathhouse,
Steam machine,
Village laundry,
Mosque,
Clinic,
Cooperatives,
Village shops,
Sports fields,
Stations for breeding poultry, rabbits, and bees,
Cattle barns,
Abattoir,
Dairy,
Mills,
Factories,
Modern cemetery,
Animal burial ground,
Lime-stone-brick-tile kilns,
Alfalfa and fodder beet fields,
Groves,
Village compost area,
Modern sheepfold,
Midwife and health officer facilities,
Agricultural leader,
Animal health officer,
Collective nursery,
Market area and grain union,
Mating station,
Fairgrounds,
School,
Water reservoir,
Artesian and seed cleaning facility.
Compared to today, the plan appears to encompass nearly all structures, including an internet café. However, before implementing such a plan, it is essential to consider local conditions and make necessary revisions.
Viewing the Ideal Republican Village Plan merely as an earthquake-related initiative would be a narrow perspective. These plans also serve as social and economic projects. Through such villages, rural communities can be brought together to create modern agricultural and livestock farming villages, preventing migration and even encouraging urban-to-rural migration. Preventative measures taken before earthquakes will positively impact both the economy and the social structure of society.
Reducing or even preventing the destructive effects of earthquakes is only possible by constructing earthquake-resistant buildings. Such initiatives should target both urban and rural areas. At the same time, existing structures with inadequate earthquake resistance must not be neglected. These structures should be transformed and renewed through projects in both urban and rural areas as quickly as possible. Without such efforts, Turkey will continue to suffer material and emotional losses during every small or large earthquake.
The first step for our country in addressing earthquake issues should be the establishment of TÜDES (Turkey Earthquake Strategy). TÜDES should consist of two main sections: the first for cities and districts, and the second for villages and rural areas. The urban strategy (first section) should involve forming urban transformation platforms led by universities, governorships, or municipalities in all 81 provinces. Similarly, for rural areas (second section), the same approach should be applied, with village heads actively involved. Both sections should progress simultaneously. These efforts, while long-term and challenging, are essential. It must be remembered that in the history of nations, years pass quickly, generations multiply, and people come and go. But nations endure, and the works of civilizations leave their mark on the homeland. May earthquake-resistant structures, not the traces of earthquakes, leave their mark on our country.
Kürşat Esat ALYAMAÇ
Chairman, Fırat Association of Civil Engineers