FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Through its survey of owners the Bakirköy Municipality is aware of many of their concerns about earthquake risk and retrofitting as a solution for its mitigation.
The following comments address some of those concerns.

1. Does retrofitting actually improve the seismic performance of the building? To what extent?
Yes. Solutions developed for the project, if executed according to specification, will significantly improve the performance of the building. The aim is to bring each building up to a standard that would provide a high level of life protection in a major earthquake.

2. Do examples of retrofitting exist in other parts of the world? Where? With what level of success or effectiveness?
Yes. Many countries, including Japan, USA, Philippines and New Zealand have undertaken retrofitting of existing buildings to improve seismic performance. Effectiveness has been proven in earthquakes that occurred after retrofitting.

3. What do reliable sources and competent authorities say about retrofitting?
Earthquake engineers have confidence in the ability of retrofitting to improve the performance of buildings in earthquake. Retrofitting programs exist in USA, Japan and New Zealand. However, retrofitting approaches and solutions must take account of local construction practices and capabilities, and social expectations.

4. What is the cost of retrofitting?
This varies from building to building and with the level of performance targeted. Costs can be typically 10 to 50% of the cost of new construction. Above 50%, the costs of retrofitting are usually considered excessive, but there have been cases of important heritage buildings when retrofitting costs have been higher.

5. Would it be necessary to move out during retrofitting?
It would depend on the extent of the work and number of apartments in any building involved in the physical work. Moving out allows the contractor more freedom to plan the work and may therefore reduce costs. Decisions on whether or not to move out can be made once a retrofitting solution is agreed and the effects are known. Past examples in Turkey indicate that retrofitting of a typical apartment building takes several months.

6. Who has the final say when some owners object to retrofitting even though the majority is in favour?
It would be up to the owners to resolve to retrofit and the rules of their apartment “body corporate” would apply in relation to majority decisions. The municipality could encourage objecting owners and provide them with evidence of the overall benefits, but it does not have the power to insist. So, the final say depends on the decision of the owners.

7. What sanctions would be applied to non-complying homeowners who refuse to participate in retrofitting?
None. Rules of the Body Corporate would govern.

8. How would retrofitting be organised at district level?
Apart from providing a conducive regulatory environment, the municipality would not expect to be involved in organising retrofitting. The municipality may consider providing some financial assistance but such assistance would require municipality approval.

9. What would be the composition of the responsible authority? What measures would it introduce to prevent corruption, exercise controls and impose sanctions?
The municipality would exercise the normal measures applying to new construction.