- News
- Publications
- Press releases
- Links
- Contact
- Members area
User login
Enter your username and password here in order to log in on the website:
"The devastating destruction in Turkey makes clear how important the quality of our built environment is. If regulations and rules are not maintained people fall victim to a breach of duty of care. Unnecessary loss is suffered. ACE fully supports our Turkish colleagues in these tragic times and further actions are being discussed" stated ACE President Ruth Schagemann.
ACE STATEMENT
The Architects’ Council of Europe offers its sincere commiserations regarding the horrific earthquakes that have claimed so many lives in Turkey.
While this is no time for recriminations, it is invariably instructive to seek a better understanding – not of the cause of the catastrophe - which was natural, of course - but of the reaction to it – or in this case, the way in which buildings react - and to draw conclusions as to what, if anything, could have been done differently and what might be avoided in the future.
We have read that two of the areas worst affected by the earthquake were already classified as being at high risk. That being the case, one would have expected that pre-emptive and protective measures would have already been put in place, with the expert involvement of relevant professionals.
An obvious starting point would be to facilitate the involvement of built environment professionals – rather than to exclude them. In most countries, responsibility for building inspection is not devolved to the private sector. On the contrary, the State has a responsibility to ensure this is properly carried out on behalf of the public and either does so directly or using the services of accredited professionals.
It is patently unfair to blame professionals for the consequences of Zoning Amnesties that have resulted in legalising buildings that were previously classified as “illegal” - regardless of the health and safety risks to society. It is all too easy to blame professionals for deficiencies in institutional policies of relevant administrations and unsupervised zoning practices.
It is vital that citizens are able to access the services of qualified professionals – whose competence – as members of a profession - is controlled by the professional organisations of which they are members.
The right to live in a safe and healthy environment and the right to housing are fundamental, universal rights which are difficult to uphold when specialist professionals and professional organisations are routinely ignored.
We urge the authorities to consult the relevant professional bodies in Turkey, in addition to setting up a group of special technical experts, to assess the current situation in order to take measures to ensure that unsafe buildings in high-risk areas are adequately protected against future seismic incidents, as well as the orderly arrival of all kinds of aid.
Earthquake Detection and Evaluation Report
From the first day of the earthquakes, studies on post-disaster intervention and detection and improvement processes have been initiated in the region. In addition to these studies, the “Chamber of Architects 6 February 2023 Earthquake Detection and Evaluation Report” was prepared by the committee formed by the Central Board of the Chamber of Architects between 11-16 February 2023, in the light of on-site examinations and determinations in the region.
The Turkish Chamber of Architects, within the scope of their professional expertise and social responsibilities; has shared the report, which was prepared for the public and society in order to create healthy and safe urbanisation and living environments.
