Post-earthquake decision making in Turkey: Studies of Van and Ä°zmir

This paper addresses post-disaster response and recovery in disaster management and recovery in Turkey. It discusses the findings from a real-time event, the Van Earthquake, and a scenario planning exercise in Izmir. The field work after the Van earthquake of 2011 focuses on recovery and housing relocation; and the Izmir scenario planning exercise conducted with AFAD personnel and others explores how information is used and decisions are made at different stages of response and recovery. Findings from both Van and the exercise point to a focus on immediate decisions at the expense of long-term planning that it would be sensible to address. In conclusion, this paper recommends an approach to post-earthquake management in Turkey that balances the immediate needs of speed in rebuilding the infrastructure and economy with longer-term planning goals of maintaining and enhancing quality of life and improving not only the safety, but also the resilience of the urban fabric.