1.2. Shortcomings in Housing Process Post-Earthquake

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. One is give them the cash credits, direct financial credits to the homeowner, so what they can do is; they can purchase a new house from the property developer wherein the second aspect, we have the provide technical support plus stage by stage you give some certain payments on construction; to completion of the construction that is delivered to the homeowner. And he again relies on the either a beneficiary managed construction or it could be he relies on the designers of the building contractors who hire, so in that way, that is another process. Whereas in option 3, it is completely a government-managed construction so, in this, they rely on the contractor, so agency driven process and they finish the house and they deliver it to the homeowner so, this is how the self-house mechanism has been conceptualized.

The self-help housing reconstruction method in Turkey offers three main options for homeowners affected by disasters. The first option involves cash credits that allow homeowners to buy new houses from developers. The second option provides technical support and gradual payments for the construction process, which can be managed either by the owners themselves or by hired professionals. The third option is a fully government-managed construction where the government oversees the entire construction project and delivers completed houses to homeowners. These methods aim to help disaster-affected individuals rebuild their living spaces.

Think of it like choosing a meal at a restaurant. You can either pay for a pre-packaged meal (cash credits), ask the chef for specific menu items at different courses (technical support), or have the restaurant create a customized meal for you from start to finish (government-managed construction). Each option provides a different level of involvement and control, just as the housing options do for the homeowners.

there are also some other shortcomings; one is the house designs offered by the government have very little regard to local rural living styles and while families can choose to use their own design, this entails hiring an architect which the owner must pay for in manage themselves.

One significant shortcoming of the housing reconstruction process is that the designs provided by the government often do not consider local rural living styles, which may not align with the cultural or practical needs of the families. While homeowners can opt for custom designs, this requires them to hire an architect at their own expense, which many may not be able to afford. This creates a barrier for those seeking to build homes that fit their lifestyle and preferences.

Imagine if a restaurant offered a menu that didn't include the local cuisine. Even if you could create your own dish, you would have to hire a chef to make it for you, which might be too costly. This situation is similar to homeowners needing to hire an architect to create a home that suits their needs after a disaster.

the government is ready to give them a training or provide guidance on how to build a technical support, so but it takes a long time to educate the owners about earthquake-safe constructions and design because it depends on their literacy levels, depends on the social and cooperation, how they come in negotiation.

The government offers training and technical support to educate homeowners about building earthquake-safe houses. However, the effectiveness of this training is often hampered by the varying literacy levels of the homeowners. Additionally, social dynamics and the ability of homeowners to cooperate and negotiate effectively with the government can influence how well they absorb this training. Therefore, the time required to fully educate homeowners can be lengthy, delaying their ability to reconstruct their homes safely.

Consider a community center offering cooking classes. If participants have different levels of cooking skills, it may take longer for everyone to learn the same recipe. Some might catch on quickly, while others may struggle, making it essential for the instructor to adjust their teaching methods. This mirrors how training for earthquake-safe constructions must be tailored to diverse literacy levels among homeowners.

in many cases, it has been noted that contractors run away with some basic deposits and maybe having a small verbal agreements with the owners and they run away so, in that way the whole project leave left incomplete.

A notable issue in the housing reconstruction process is the behavior of some contractors. There have been reports of contractors taking deposits from homeowners and then failing to complete the work. Often, this may stem from informal agreements without proper contracts, leaving the homeowners vulnerable. Consequently, this leads to many projects being left unfinished, causing further distress for families already impacted by disaster.

Imagine hiring a contractor to build a treehouse for your kids. You give them some money upfront, but they take the money and leave without doing any work. This situation is similar to what many homeowners face when contractors abandon their projects after taking deposits.

there is no involvement of owners in important decisions whether to relocate or where to relocate and what kind of input especially, in this process, so that is one of the important things.

Homeowners often find themselves excluded from significant decisions regarding their housing situation, including whether they can relocate and to where they might move. This lack of involvement can lead to feelings of disempowerment and dissatisfaction with the housing reconstruction process, showing the need for a more inclusive approach that considers the voices and preferences of affected families.

Think about being a student in a school where decisions about your classes are made without your input. You might end up in subjects that you dislike or struggle in. Similarly, homeowners are left out of crucial decisions regarding their future, which impacts their satisfaction and sense of control.

--