2.2. Self-Help Development Process

When we assess the self-help housing reconstruction method, we see that in Turkey first of all the central government which these ministries and the general director of disaster affairs and with the local governor of the state level, they look at the 3 different options.

In Turkey, the approach to rebuilding homes after disasters involves a key assessment by the central government and local authorities. They explore three primary options for assisting homeowners. These options include giving homeowners direct financial support, providing a step-by-step technical support during construction, or managing the construction process entirely with government oversight.

Imagine a school planning to rebuild its playground after a storm. The principal might choose to give parents money to fix it themselves, hire a contractor to build the playground in stages while guiding the parents, or have the school manage the whole rebuilding process by hiring a contractor and overseeing the work. Each choice depends on the level of support and control desired.

And even in this process, there are so especially, in the housing process especially, in after the 2000 Cankiri earthquake, there are also some other shortcomings; one is the house designs offered by the government have very little regard to local rural living styles.

Despite the options available, there are significant issues in the implementation of self-help housing. Many government designs do not consider the local cultural styles of living. Furthermore, while homeowners can opt for their designs, they must pay for an architect, which can be a financial burden. The government does offer training on building safely, but this process can take a long time and is influenced by the homeowner's education level and social cohesion.

Think of a community creating a new park. While the city might provide blueprints for modern playgrounds, they might not fit the needs of local kids who prefer swings or slides. Families who want custom designs must hire an expensive designer, which not every family can afford. This highlights the importance of designing solutions that truly meet the community's needs.

I mean in contact with the government also, they need to know some the managerial techniques of how they can manage the projects themselves and in many cases, it has been noted that contractors run away with some basic deposits.

Homeowners often need to learn how to manage their building projects effectively. Unfortunately, many face issues where contractors might take deposits and abandon the work. This can leave homeowners with incomplete projects. Additionally, there are challenges regarding homeowners not being involved in critical decisions, like where to relocate, which can lead to dissatisfaction and unmet needs.

Imagine a family that hires a builder to renovate their home but then discovers that the builder has taken their payment and disappeared. Now they must navigate a maze of decisions about what to do next without any guidance, much like homeowners needing to learn project management skills without prior experience.

In Duzce province after the 1999 earthquake, you can see that in the centres and villages and the districts we have the statistical you know, the damage statistics is in providing this table.

Statistical data following the 1999 earthquake in Duzce province reveal how different recovery methods aided in rebuilding homes. For example, a significant number of houses were built through mass housing initiatives for heavily affected families, while fewer homes were constructed by the self-help method. This illustrates the varying levels of support that households received based on their situation.

After a school fire, the school might apply emergency funding to rebuild a gym for students. However, only a few students may receive financial help to rebuild their lunchroom. The differing numbers illustrate the various types of support available to students and how some may get lost in the system.

If you look at the whole process, in the disaster acts or whatever they has been, it is mainly focus on whether someone owns something and whether it is lost and so that he can be compensated whether in the form of insurance, whether in the form of; then what about a renter; you know he was not having a house and he was completely ignored.

The housing recovery efforts often center on homeowners, neglecting tenants who may also suffer after disasters. While policies focus on compensating those with property, renters are frequently overlooked despite their significant losses. It highlights the need for inclusive policies that consider all community members impacted by such events.

After a community fire, homeowners might receive aid to rebuild their houses, but renters living in the same building lose everything and receive no support. It's like having a soccer team where only the players with uniforms get recognition; the benchwarmers need support too, and the community should ensure all members are accounted for in the recovery process.

So, the three case studies which we will be discussing now. One is the Beyciler which is in the Duzce centre, it’s the row house about 168 houses are delivered, here there is an international NGO along with the partnership with the local government.

The section introduces three case studies that showcase successful partnerships between local governments, NGOs, and communities to rebuild homes. For example, in Beyciler, 168 houses were built through collaborative efforts, illustrating how diverse actors can come together to address housing needs effectively, especially for those who do not qualify for government schemes.

Consider a neighborhood organizing to build a shared community garden. Various groups—local businesses donating supplies, community members volunteering labor, and city officials facilitating permits—work together to create a vibrant space that benefits everyone, particularly those without private gardens.

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