After the Marmara earthquake: lessons for avoiding short cuts to disasters

This paper aims to explore a number of lessons learned from the disaster ma nagement experience in Turkey in response to the Marmara earthquake in Augu st 1999. It discusses the shortcomings of disaster mitigation and preparedn ess measures in Turkey in the context of a disaster and development relatio nship, including a number of issues such as legislation and training, publi c awareness, insurance, urban planning and management, and disaster respons e strategies. It explains why this earthquake produced such a large impact and suggests why, unlike previous earthquakes, the public reaction to the s hortcomings in disaster mitigation and preparedness for the earthquake may promote important changes within Turkish society. Through the investigation of disaster management practice irt the light of lessons learned from the Marmara earthquake experience, the paper outlines possible responses to the se shortcomings.