The Capacity Adequacy Evaluation of Post – Disaster Emergency Assembly Areas: The Case of Merkezefendi District (denizli)

Abstract

The insufficient consideration of disaster risks in urban development processes is one of the main reasons for increasing urban vulnerability. It is clear that disaster events critically affect both spatial development dynamics and social structure components. For this reason, it is frequently emphasized that studies regarding Risk Reduction and Mitigation Planning should be focused on due to the determination of disaster risks and risk reduction. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the capacity adequacy of existing emergency assembly areas determined by Denizli Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate in terms of size criteria in Merkezefendi district that is one of the biggest districts of Denizli city in terms of population density. For this purpose, a total of 48 emergency assembly areas selected by Denizli Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate for 50 neighborhoods located in Merkezefendi district are evaluated in terms of capacity adequacy using a 3-step method. According to the results, it is determined that the district is located in the direction of urban development and also built environment in the district are less than other regions. In addition, the district has important advantages in terms of Mitigation Planning processes that can be carried out in a controlled manner and also social infrastructure areas’ potential which can be used to reduce disaster risks. © 2023, Ankara University. All rights reserved.