On the anniversary of August 17, experts emphasized:
“Remembering is not enough, we must prepare”

On the anniversary of the August 17 Marmara Earthquake, Bornova Municipality organized an event in Büyükpark in cooperation with AFAD, professional chambers, and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to raise earthquake awareness. With photography and caricature exhibitions, an earthquake simulation truck, and a forum with experts, the issue of disaster preparedness was addressed. Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that urban transformation prioritizing safety and strengthening social awareness will continue.

The event, held in Büyükpark with the cooperation of Bornova Municipality, Bornova City Council, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, AFAD, the Chamber of Civil Engineers, and the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers, tackled the reality of disasters from different perspectives. While earthquake awareness was refreshed through photographs and caricatures, AFAD’s earthquake simulation truck and stands displaying search-and-rescue equipment attracted great interest.

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, in his statement on the anniversary of the Marmara Earthquake, stressed that disaster preparedness should remain on the agenda not only on remembrance days but every day:
“On these lands where we live with the reality of earthquakes, our greatest duty is to create an earthquake-resilient city through urban transformation that prioritizes safety. In Bornova, we aim not only to strengthen buildings but also to strengthen social awareness.” He added that the BORAK (Bornova Search and Rescue) team will soon obtain accreditation and gain professional response capacity for potential disasters.

“Urban transformation must focus on people, not profit”
Özlem Ersan Özant, Chair of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Civil Engineers, stated that August 17 was a painful turning point for the country:
“AFAD’s National Earthquake Strategy announced in 2011 was important, but the February 6 earthquake showed us that the efforts were not comprehensive enough. Urban transformation should not be for profit, but for people. New buildings must receive engineering services, and existing ones must be reinforced.”

AFAD İzmir Provincial Director Nazif Ekinci emphasized the importance of not forgetting disasters:
“On August 17, there were no crisis centers, and search-and-rescue resources were very limited. The establishment of AFAD in 2009 was an important step. But if we do not think in a risk-oriented way, we will always be caught unprepared for disasters.”

Bornova Deputy Mayor Barbaros Taşer also stated:
“Our goal is not to let the past be forgotten and to be ready for tomorrow. We established our BORAK team, and I am personally a member of it.”

Experts answered citizens’ questions
At the forum held under the slogan “Remembering is not enough, we must prepare”, experts answered citizens’ questions.

Bornova Municipality’s Disaster Affairs Director and President of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers, Sinancan Öziçer, said:
“It’s not only earthquakes, but for all disasters, joint efforts are necessary. The solidarity I see here in İzmir gives me hope.”

Prof. Dr. Zafer Akçığ from the Chamber of Geophysical Engineers explained earthquake formation, fault lines, soil characteristics of Istanbul and İzmir, and the importance of soil surveys before construction.

Bornova City Council President, lawyer Doğan Baran Mengüç, gave information on DASK (Compulsory Earthquake Insurance) and legal processes regarding collapsed buildings.

Soner Bilge from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Building Inspection and Rehabilitation Department, Gonca Murat from the Chamber of Civil Engineers, Ali Sançmış and Ulaş Bağcı from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Ege Urban Planning, and Bornova Municipality’s Urban Transformation Director, Habibe Pelin Mutlu Çelik, answered questions on building durability tests, engineering methods, and the building inventory studies across the city.