Post-disaster Antakya: Local experiences on disaster management and migration

Natural disasters, especially earthquakes, are crises that deeply affect social structures and spatial dynamics. The February 6, 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and February 20, 2023 earthquakes centered in Hatay caused radical changes in the physical, economic and cultural structure of Antakya. This study analyzes the experiences of individuals from a sociological perspective by addressing the post-disaster disaster management processes and forced migration movements in Antakya after the earthquakes. Within the scope of the research, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 people who experienced the earthquake in Antakya. The interviews were conducted in three different container cities and various neighborhoods of Antakya. The participants were selected among individuals who migrated after the earthquake and those who continue to stay in the city. Detailed information was obtained on the effectiveness of disaster management, factors affecting migration decisions, social integration, transformation of social ties, maintenance of traditions, economic resilience and construction processes. The data obtained show the importance of participatory and comprehensive studies in disaster preparedness and response and that post-disaster migration is a multidimensional phenomenon that reshapes the identity and belonging of individuals. The study discusses how the multicultural structure of Antakya changed after the earthquake, how cultural heritage was affected by migration, changes in social life, and disruptions in economic life. In addition, the disaster.