Analysis of disaster risk reduction policies in strategic plans of municipalities: The example of provincial municipalities in the Black Sea Region

This study examines the extent to which the strategic plans of provincial municipalities in the Black Sea Region, a region at high risk of disaster, align with disaster management. The municipalities' strategic plans emphasize that disaster risk reduction is not only an institutional requirement but also a societal imperative. The analyzed plans reveal significant differences among municipalities in terms of content, implementation capacity, and planning discipline. While some municipalities have integrated disaster management into their plans with holistic, systematic, and measurable objectives, others have merely glossed over this topic in general terms. Metropolitan municipalities, particularly those with strong technical capacity, have clearly included activities such as disaster scenarios, early warning systems, disaster logistics centers, community training, and risk maps. In contrast, in smaller municipalities, strategic documents are often prepared using template-based and superficial language, lacking practical strategies for disaster management. Strategic plans are understood not only as a legal obligation but also as vital tools for resource management, public safety, and sustainable urbanization. In this context, it has been concluded that disaster management should be included in strategic plans in a strong, applicable and sustainable way.