Newsletters
Türkiye is strengthening its preparedness for emergencies by transforming large public parks into equipped disaster response hubs.
According to a report by Esma Altin for Türkiye daily, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has amended planning regulations to allow parks to function as safe gathering points and living areas after major disasters.
Under the new regulation, parks of at least 5,000 square meters will be designed with underground sewer systems, mechanical and electrical facilities, and communication networks to support post-disaster needs.
Fire hydrants will be installed where required by local fire departments, and helipads with lighting will be built to allow helicopter landings at night.
In densely populated districts, these large parks will be able to accommodate small health facilities, including ambulance stations, without disrupting their main recreational function.
Such facilities will be limited in size and height to blend with the park’s character. For mixed-use residential and commercial plots exceeding certain size and unit thresholds, separate family health centers will be mandatory.
The updated rules also require residential developments above a specified size to include independent daycare centers.
These will cater to children up to the age of 66 months, providing education, care, and nutrition services.
Another change targets inhabited areas where zoning plans have been annulled. In such cases, building renovations will be permitted without a valid plan, provided that the structure’s footprint, floor area, and use remain unchanged, and safety measures for structural integrity and fire protection are met. This aims to simplify the maintenance and upgrading of buildings in affected neighborhoods.
1 min read
