19 Years Have Passed since the Earthquake on 17 August 1999

19 years have passed since the earthquake that shook Marmara region on 17 August 1999.

According to official reports, 17 thousand 480 people were dead, 23 thousand 781 people were injured, 505 people became disabled due to the earthquake. 282 thousand 211 houses were found to be unsound. For years, earthquake resistant buildings and assembly points have been a matter of question. 493 assembly points were designated in Istanbul. However, 3 of 4 of those points are open to housing.

President of Chamber of Civil Engineers says that Istanbul is covered with concrete from head to tail and it leads to many other disasters:

1) There is not enough soil to absorb rain water and it causes floods. Istanbul faces floods every year.

2) Having concrete everywhere causes heat islands.

3) Istanbul’s population has increased, and it led to air pollution.

4) Urban transformation in Istanbul was not scientific and appropriate for human life. That’s why; people had to face its social circumstances. This is also another disaster.

5-) İstanbul today is not better than 1999 regarding the stock of housing.