5.1. Mass Housing Approach

In turkey, there are 2 different methods of procurement; one is mass housing and the self-help housing, let’s discuss about what a mass housing talks about. In this process, the government acquires land and here it is Ministry of Public Works and Services also, the minister now, it has been renamed; Minister of Environment and Urban Planning also provides design specifications and also the cost estimations.

The Mass Housing Approach involves the government taking charge of land acquisition and housing development. Specifically, the Ministry of Public Works and Services (now known as the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning) plays a critical role by providing the design specifications and cost estimates needed for constructing homes. This means the government is responsible for identifying safe locations for building homes, especially in areas at risk for earthquakes.

Imagine a city planner who works for the government, and their job is to find a safe piece of land to build new homes for families affected by a disaster. They gather a team to estimate costs and create blueprints for the houses. Just like a chef preparing a new dish, they have to choose the right ingredients (land and resources) and follow a recipe (design guidelines) to ensure the homes are safe and affordable.

And these locations are determined by availability of land and safety, in terms of earthquake risk, it is a terrain area, is a what kind of geological conditions to exist so, basically the surveyors provide the information and that is how they decide on these mass development projects, so that is where a contract I mean, if contractors in this, they directly deliver the housing.

When selecting sites for mass housing projects, several factors must be considered. The availability of land and safety from earthquakes are paramount. Geological surveys are conducted to evaluate the terrain and the conditions that might affect construction. Based on this information, decisions are made, and contractors are then contracted to build the housing. This process ensures that homes are not only built quickly but also in places that minimize risk to the inhabitants.

Think of a construction project where before the builders arrive, a team of detectives (the surveyors) investigates the site to check for any hidden dangers, like unstable ground. Once they confirm it is safe, builders can begin constructing the homes. Just like making sure a playground is safe for kids before setting it up.

In self-help housing, where families are involved in the reconstruction on their own land that is one way or in a relocated villages, so there are different facilities like one is they call EYY and it’s about kind of loan facility also, the families use the government credits to buy a furnished house so, they take a loan and they purchase.

In contrast to mass housing, self-help housing empowers families to take part in rebuilding their homes on their own land or in relocated villages. The government supports this initiative by offering financial assistance, such as loans, allowing families to buy furnished houses. This approach not only promotes independence but also actively involves the community in the recovery and rebuilding process.

Imagine a group of friends deciding to build a treehouse together. They pool their resources, borrow tools, and share ideas on how to make it livable. The government loan acts like a friend offering them money to buy materials. In a similar way, families receive financial help to build their new homes.

Whereas, in mass housing approach, there are many issues; one is these projects are mainly developed with a general data and because they only talk about yes, this many houses have been collapse and this many some households has to be relocated, they don’t give much regard to the local situation, what kind of environment it is, what kind of the you know the situation of the community, what kind of livelihood they are related to, is it going to affect something of their livelihood, it is going to affect the children's school environment?

Despite the intent behind mass housing projects, significant challenges exist. The approach often relies on broad data about housing needs without adequately considering local conditions, community needs, or the impact on residents' livelihoods and environments. Such neglect can lead to poor living conditions and dissatisfaction among residents, as their social and economic contexts may not be appropriately addressed.

Imagine a store that decides to sell a product without understanding what customers really want or what they can afford. If they only sell winter jackets in a warm climate, they will have a lot of unhappy customers. Similarly, mass housing projects can fail when they don't take into consideration what the community actually needs.

The second aspect is allocation process so, the houses are distributed by lottery method like number 56, this is your house, number 52 this is; so despite of what kind of settlement it was existed, what kind of neighbourhood fabric it was existed, it is all completely taken out due to the lottery approach.

Mass housing allocation often uses a lottery system, where houses are randomly assigned to families. This method disregards the existing community structure, potentially displacing families from their neighborhoods and disrupting social ties. Households that were once neighbors may be separated, leading to challenges in integration and adjustment in a new environment.

It's like winning a random prize in a raffle and finding out you're moved to a new town far from your friends. You might be excited initially but feel lost without the familiar faces and community support you had before. This can cause tension and difficulties in adjusting to a new neighborhood.

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