Reconstructing the social life of disaster victims after the February 6 erthquakes: A sociological study in the context of urban, neighborhood and household dynamics

Disasters are extraordinary situations that lead not only to physical destruction but also to profound transformations in individuals' social lives. The earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, forced a large number of people to leave their living spaces, resulting in significant changes in daily life practices, social relationships, and spatial attachments. Post-disaster resettlement processes require not only adaptation to new physical environments but also a reconfiguration of the quality and structure of social ties. The reconstruction of social life emerges as a multidimensional phenomenon. In this context, spatial units such as the city, neighborhood, and home hold central importance for maintaining daily routines, forming social bonds, and developing a sense of belonging. However, displacement caused by disasters transforms the way individuals relate to these spaces, giving rise to new forms of social cohesion, solidarity, and belonging. Situations such as displacement, uncertainty, and temporariness disrupt the rhythms of everyday life and render the reconstruction of social ties both necessary and fragile. Analyses of post-disaster social life are therefore important not only for tracing the effects of trauma but also for understanding evolving forms of community support, trust relations, and belonging. This study examines how social life is reconstructed in three key spatial dimensions following a disaster. A qualitative research method was adopted, and in depth interviews with disaster-affected individuals were conducted to analyze the social changes they experienced in their new living environments. The study particularly focuses on changes in neighborly relations, daily routines, modes of interaction with the social environment, and the transformation of the home as a place of emotional security. The post-earthquake period has generated new meanings on both individual and collective levels, revealing both continuities and ruptures in the structure of social relations. In this regard, the study aims to offer a sociological analysis of the evolving nature of social life in the aftermath of disaster.