"Building a Solid and Secure Future Is a Responsibility We All Share"

Agah Durukal, General Manager of Türk Ytong, emphasized in his assessment on the anniversary of the 6 February 2023 earthquakes that this date is not only a day to commemorate losses; it is also a day to recall safe construction, scientific approaches, and social responsibilities.

On the anniversary of the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023 and deeply affected Turkey, the massive destruction and lives lost are remembered with sorrow once again. The earthquakes bring home once more the reality that Turkey is an earthquake country and the vital importance of safe construction.

"It Is in Our Hands Not to Repeat the Same Mistakes"
Agah Durukal, General Manager of Türk Ytong, stated that 6 February is not merely a day of commemoration, expressing himself as follows:

"We experienced tremendous pain. We cannot bring back our losses; but it is in our hands not to repeat the same mistakes. We cannot prevent earthquakes, but we can prevent loss of life through earthquake-resistant structures. The way to do this is through proper soil surveys, correct design, effective supervision, compliance with standards, and the use of quality building materials."

Emphasis on Scientific Approach and Proper Materials
Durukal drew attention to Turkey's strong engineering heritage and production capacity, expressing that this potential would only gain meaning through an approach that places earthquake reality at its center:

"We have production capacity at world standards and high engineering expertise. However, this accumulated knowledge will not be sufficient unless we prioritize the earthquake reality when planning our cities. Scientific approach, rational planning, proper material use, and full compliance with regulations are of vital importance."

Earthquake Resistance, Fire Safety, and Energy Efficiency Should Be Considered Together
Durukal emphasized that urban transformation should not be viewed solely as building renovation and drew attention to the importance of a holistic approach in city planning:

"In planning our cities, alongside earthquake resistance, fire safety, energy efficiency, and building lifespan should also be taken into account. Lightweight building materials reduce earthquake loads; non-combustible and high-performance materials play a critical role in both life safety and structural safety. Correct and quality material selection is life insurance."

Industrial Structures Should Also Be a Priority
Durukal noted that not only residential buildings but also industrial structures are of critical importance from an earthquake safety perspective, stating:

"Production facilities and factories carry significant risks in a potential earthquake both in terms of worker safety and economic continuity. Disaster-resilient industrial infrastructure is a fundamental condition for sustainable development."

"Safe Cities Are Shared Responsibility"
Concluding his statement with attention to social responsibility, Durukal said:

"Full compliance with current earthquake regulations is both a major responsibility and a civic duty. As Türk Ytong, we are obligated to develop durable, safe, and high-standard products. We share our knowledge and experience in every field from academic platforms to construction sites, and we support education. The way not to experience 6 February again is through building structures in compliance with regulations and in a safe manner. This is our shared responsibility."