The Turkish government has been accused of contributing to the devastation caused by last month’s earthquakes by undermining long-established construction safeguards.
“The most important reason why this disaster caused such great destruction is the government not showing the will to bring the fragile building stock up to safety standards,” said Gencay Serter, the president of the Chamber of Urban Planners, a powerful association that has clashed with Erdogan and the AK Party in the past.
. “It should be assumed that all buildings legalized under this amnesty have not received any engineering services, and should be inspected,” the organization added. Local municipalities, some run by the ruling party and some by the opposition, also play a major role, as they are responsible for creating zoning plans that determine building rights, such as deciding which areas are open for construction and imposing floor area caps and height limits. Additionally, municipalities are responsible for inspecting construction projects in their districts and issuing permits if they are up to code.
Construction workers stand at the top of a building under construction during their weekend shifts in Ankara, Turkey, on April 22, 2018.Construction peaked after the introduction of another much-debated law in 2012, which addressed the transformation of areas at risk from natural disasters.
Another factor that contributed to a lack of proper supervision was a building inspection system put into place in 2011 and in force until 2019, according to the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects. Under this system, contractors could choose any inspection company they wanted and pay the inspectors themselves.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Turkey's pro-Kurdish party calls for opposition unity after splitA leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish party called on the opposition to unite on Saturday, a day after a separate six-party alliance aiming to defeat President Tayyip Erdogan splintered over who should run for president in May elections.
Read more »
Failed Paul Pogba-backed NFT leaves Turkish investor penniless: reportFailed crypto scheme endorsed by soccer player Paul Pogba reportedly plunges one investor into so much debt that he now lives with his parents again
Read more »
Turkish people suffering from the earthquake also are facing government persecution | OpinionThe impact of quake has been devastating, with thousands living in tents or cars.
Read more »
Senior PKK/KCK terrorist 'neutralised' by Turkish intelligence in N. IraqSaad Ali Bedel, codenamed Ceko Pir, was planning action against Turkish army’s Basika base area in Mosul, Iraq, sources say.
Read more »
Turkish opposition alliance says it will announce election candidate on MondayTurkey's six-party opposition alliance said it will announce on Monday its joint candidate to challenge President Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential election, little more than two months before the vote is set to be held.
Read more »
Turkish opposition to announce election candidate amid signs of discordTurkey's six-party opposition alliance said it would announce its joint candidate next week to challenge President Tayyip Erdogan in the May presidential election, set to be held just three months after a devastating earthquake.
Read more »