A study on permanent housing planning after disasters in Türkiye

In Türkiye, natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, cause significant damage to buildings, creating an urgent demand for housing. This study aims to evaluate the post-disaster permanent housing planning process, beginning with the preparation of the needs program and examining implemented permanent housing projects. The evaluation focuses on analyses and findings related to site selection, settlement-level decisions, spatial organization, construction techniques, and user experience. These assessments aim to identify problems encountered during the planning process for post-disaster permanent housing and propose solutions. Within the scope of the study, permanent housing planning approaches adopted in the aftermath of past disasters were examined chronologically. Fieldwork was conducted in six of the eleven provinces affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Adana, and Osmaniye. In current permanent housing implementations, analyses were conducted to assess compatibility with the needs of disaster victims, site selection and settlement decisions, spatial evaluations, and simulation studies on use and visual accessibility. The evaluation revealed that the dominant factors shaping post-disaster housing policies are rapid and cost-effective production as well as structural durability. However, shortcomings were identified in the influence of planning strategies concerning social cohesion in site and settlement decisions, architectural design appropriate to the profile and needs of disaster victims, and the socioeconomic sustainability of the housing units. Based on the study's findings, it was recommended that post-disaster permanent housing planning be addressed with a comprehensive approach tailored to the needs of disaster victims, while sustainably supporting long-term quality of life.