Izmir Municipality launches earthquake master plan with 10 working groups
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İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has launched a citywide earthquake master plan under the coordination of Dokuz Eylül University. The project brings together 10 working groups covering geology, building stock, infrastructure, law, economy and public awareness. The work follows the municipality’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan goal of building a city resilient to multiple crises.
Key Facts
- Dokuz Eylül University Civil Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Özgür Özçelik coordinates the Earthquake Master Plan.
- The municipality launched the project under its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan target 'Multi-Crisis Resilient City Municipalism'.
- Özçelik said the plan will not only reduce earthquake risk but also set out steps for rapid post-earthquake recovery and better reconstruction.
- Geophysical and geological studies now under way will first establish İzmir’s earthquake hazard before above-ground and infrastructure risk calculations.
- Özçelik attributed İzmir’s degraded structural environment to low-quality engineering services, ageing building stock, and planning that failed to keep pace with rapid growth.
Ten Working Groups
The plan is organised into 10 working groups covering geology and geophysics, building stock, infrastructure, disaster management, law, economy and public awareness. Dokuz Eylül University Civil Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Özgür Özçelik serves as project coordinator. The project is being carried out under the municipality’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan goal of 'Multi-Crisis Resilient City Municipalism'. Several groups are already active, while the first phase focuses on geological and geophysical hazard studies.
Risk and Recovery Scope
Özçelik said the plan, which brings together 10 working groups, will not focus only on reducing earthquake risk. It will also set out post-earthquake recovery steps so that İzmir can quickly regain its former functions and rebuild better. Özçelik said İzmir and many Turkish cities face similar earthquake risks due to existing building stock and urbanisation. He pointed to low-quality engineering services, ageing structures, and planning that failed to keep pace with rapid, migration-driven growth.
Initial Hazard Studies
Geophysical and geological studies have begun to determine İzmir’s earthquake hazard. The resulting hazard characterisation will form the basis for calculating above-ground and infrastructure risks. The studies are part of the municipality’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan road map for a disaster-resilient İzmir.
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Izmir Municipality launches earthquake master plan with 10 working groups
