4.2. Proposal for Improving Bursa's Resiliency to Natural Disasters 4.2.1. Current Status and Needs of Bursa City
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Data Collection Survey For Disaster Resilient Urban Plan in Turkey 4.2. Proposal for Improving Bursa’s Resiliency to Natural Disasters 4.2.1. Current Status and Needs of Bursa City General background information and disaster risks are as mentioned in 4.1. Bursa city extends to the foot of the slopes of Uludağ Mountain, mostly in the east to west direction along the Izmir road. Bursa is surrounded by mountain, lakes and farmland. The current status and needs for the resiliency of Bursa city are described below based on information gathered from interviews with relevant authorities. (1) General Matters 1) Basic Understanding to Disaster - Bursa has historically had high risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides in addition to earthquakes. Prior to 1999, the main natural disasters of concern used to be landslides; however since 2000, earthquakes have been perceived as a more significant threat. - Bursa is a transport hub of the Marmara region and will be able to function as a back-up center for disaster response activity if Istanbul is affected by a natural disaster. Because Bursa is a major center of industrial activities, impacts could be magnified and extreme in the event of a natural disaster affecting Bursa. 2) Vulnerable Residential Areas - The city of Bursa is composed of the old town with a number of historic buildings in the south of the city and the new town in the north. The old town was developed before the 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake, and presents many issues identified for disaster prevention, such as densely built old buildings with weak structures and poor road access. Many buildings are not earthquake-resistant. - In the old town, a large area of congested and dilapidated buildings are at the foot of Uludağ Mountain, and redevelopment of such a large area into a safe township will likely extend over a long period of time. - A number of reconstruction projects in the old town have included high-rise or mid- to low-rise housings, even before the Urban Transformation Law. Such developments increase population concentration. - North of the Ankara-Izmir highway, and expending from east to west, there is a mixed- use residential and industrial area and a large densely-built residential area with many buildings unlawfully occupied and/or not structurally sound. There is a high necessity for improvement in the safety of this area from a disaster prevention perspective. - Local governments started an evaluation of building structures in each district with respect to the Urban Transformation Law; however, it has not been completed yet. The process requires the district administration to propose urban redevelopment plans, and the Provincial office of MOEU through Bursa Metropolitan Municipality to review and approve the plans. - A redevelopment project has been launched in an area of about 500 ha in Yıldırım District. In Osmangazi District, risk assessment of buildings has been completed for the whole district, and high-risk areas have been identified and given two different classifications based on the level of risk. Redevelopment plans for areas of high priority are now being prepared. 4-19 Data Collection Survey For Disaster Resilient Urban Plan in Turkey Source: Prepared by the Inspection Team Based on Information from Osmangazi and Yildirim District Authorities Figure 4.2.1 Locations of risky areas in Osmangazi and Yildirim Districts 3) Measures for Disaster Prevention - AFAD Bursa facilities are on the same site as a fire station and a MOH heliport. This site is indeed a model of disaster management complexes in Turkey, but components such as the education center for disaster prevention (Bosaikan) are spread over several locations. - Bosaikan was constructed for the purpose of educating the general public on disaster prevention. Bosaikan has started offering services to people from Bursa province as well as people from other provinces. - There are 120 staff members in the search and rescue team in Bursa, covering Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Yalova, Bilecik, and Bursa city proper. In normal times, the team offers training to provincial level officials, private companies, and the public. Training facilities and equipment of the current center should be upgraded. - Bursa AFAD has selected evacuation/gathering sites in the city in the event of disaster and parks to be turned into tent cities for afflicted people. - An AFAD logistics center is planned to be constructed in the western part of Bursa to store and distribute materials, supplies, and equipment in case of a disaster. - Currently, the status of district disaster management centers to collect information and coordinate efforts in the event of a major disaster differs by district. - It is essential to strengthen the capabilities of the information communication system and computer functionality at AFAD Bursa because telephone communication could break down during a major disaster. - AKOM, a Disaster Coordination Center, is established under the Bursa municipal fire department. In the event of a disaster, it is expected to coordinate with other institutions if required by AFAD. 4-20 Data Collection Survey For Disaster Resilient Urban Plan in Turkey (2) Spesific Matters 1) Road Traffic - As traffic in Bursa is concentrated on a major arterial road that crosses the city center from west to east, it is important to provide alternative routes. With many rivers in Bursa, more bridges are needed. - To improve the road network, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality recently developed a transportation master plan for 2030 in coordination with Germany. The plan includes the construction of additional roads and bridges as alternative routes. Part of the plan is already in the implementation phase. - Security of the transport network connecting the airport, Gemlik Port, and Mudanya Port is imperative for times of disaster. (When the Kocaeli Earthquake struck, Bursa did not experience major damages to the roads and bridges, but roads to Istanbul and Izmit were congested for a week after the earthquake limiting the support Bursa could provide to Istanbul and Izmit. - Emergency roads need to be designated and/or regulations put in place to ensure an emergency network for times of disaster. - Strengthening of roads and bridges is underway. 2) Supply of Clean Water - A disaster water supply plan (e.g., substitute pipelines) already exists, and there is also a water reservoir. In addition, the municipal water department has a number of 20-tonne water tanks ready. Privately-owned water tanks would also be mobilized in the event of a major disaster. - Although Bursa has a wealth of groundwater supplies, these supplies are saved for emergency use. At the time of a disaster, groundwater can be used. 3) Medical/Health Facilities - With the evaluation of seismic resistance already conducted on hospital buildings, a plan for necessary reconstruction and retrofits was established and is currently being implemented. - Specific projects for reconstruction or retrofit are planned and/or in progress at 17 of the 20 hospitals of the province. Plans at two of the 20 hospitals (Çekirge and Yenişehir) are yet to be established. - All hospitals should operate in the event of a disaster, and two A1-class hospitals (Şevket Yılmaz Hospital and Uludağ University Hospital) are expected to play key roles as bases for disaster medical services. - Buildings currently under construction satisfy earthquake resistance standards structurally; however, improvement of the earthquake resistance of non-structural materials and equipment is needed. A response project has already been commenced by the Ministry of Health. 4) Education Facilities - Schools are assumed to function as evacuation sites in times of disaster. At the time of the 1999 earthquake, tents for refugees were placed on school grounds. Since the earthquake, schools are planned to be used as evacuation centers in times of disaster, open for residents of their neighborhood. 4-21 Data Collection Survey For Disaster Resilient Urban Plan in Turkey - According to the AFAD disaster prevention plan, newly constructed schools are expected to store emergency supplies for disasters. However, the reality is that schools hold a small quantity of stocks. AFAD keeps large quantities of stock in various other locations across the city. - According to MONE Bursa, seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing schools to meet the Urban Transformation Law requirements are complete. - With the increasing population, there has been a shortage of schools, and even double shift schools are not able to cope with the demand. Subsequently a plan has been developed to build school campuses in the suburbs where high schools will be relocated. School facilities within the city center will be converted into primary and secondary schools. Although 12 new school campuses are planned, and sites have been identified, construction has not started yet. (3) Sesific Situation by Districts 1) Osmangazi District - A vulnerability assessment has been carried out in accordance with the Urban Transformation Law on most buildings in the district. - Based on the results of this assessment, a redevelopment plan of the areas identified as risky is currently being prepared. For certain residential areas on the mountain sides, roads need to be upgraded to allow for easier access by motor vehicles. 2) Yıldırım District - Even though approximately 20,000–25,000 buildings in the district do not meet the building standards, retrofits are difficult due to the financial situation of the residents. - 66 of the 69 Mahalles (community-scale administrative units) in the district have a warehouse with disaster supplies at the Mahalle chief office, and the remaining 3 Mahalles are planning on establishing such a warehouse. The three to four community centers of each Mahalle will be used as evacuation sites at the time of a disaster. These were set up according to the regulations of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. They conduct an evacuation drill once or twice a year. 3) Nilüfer District - Previously, the district authority had started an independent survey of the earthquake resistance of the existing buildings within the district.