Should I Remain in, or Should I Go Out? Building Resilient Cities in the Face of Dual Challenges: Earthquake and Pandemic

Numerous decisions made throughout the history of cities are considered in the context of reinforcing the cohesion and adaptability of institutions and communities. Resilient cities adapt to environmental, economic, and social dynamics, demonstrating their ability to withstand pressures and evolve to fulfill various roles over time. While learning from past disasters can help make cities more resilient in the future, the occurrence of multiple crises concurrently is also a possibility. Within this framework, this study aims to investigate the varied impacts of simultaneous urban crises on changing spatial requirements and usages. The study focuses on the Bayraklı and Bornova districts, situated in the city center of İzmir, along the western coast of Turkey on the Aegean Sea. The region experienced a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on October 30, 2020, resulting in the incapacitation of numerous buildings. The event highlights the unique challenges and necessities of coping with earthquakes and pandemics, while also promoting the design of urban areas as resilient spaces. To uncover the factors contributing to increased city resilience in the face of multiple crises, the study employed a qualitative research design utilizing a phenomenological research approach. The research encompassed an analysis of disaster regulations, emergency plans, news reports, photographs, and videos, alongside interviews with individuals who lived through the concurrent pandemic and earthquake experiences. Furthermore, it conducts a comprehensive assessment of the factors influencing resilience in situations characterized by multiple crises, while also evaluating their role in the earthquake disaster that transpired in February 2023.