Italy and Türkiye share a long history of living with seismic risk, shaped by their locations along active fault lines and by devastating earthquakes that have affected communities, infrastructure, and governance systems. Recent disasters, particularly the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye, have underscored the urgent need to strengthen resilience, address weaknesses in construction practices, and reinforce accountability across institutions responsible for urban development and safety.
In response, the World Bank has been supporting the Government of Türkiye in reviewing its legal and institutional frameworks for urban planning and construction. This work focuses on identifying gaps in zoning, land use, building codes, and inspection systems, with the aim of improving enforcement, coordination, and overall construction quality. The review emphasizes that strong regulations must be matched by effective compliance mechanisms and clearly defined roles to ensure seismic safety in practice.
As part of this collaboration, a technical knowledge exchange visit was organized in Italy in July 2025, bringing together key Turkish government representatives and Italian experts. Over five days, the delegation engaged with institutions in Rome, L’Aquila, Pavia, and Milan, gaining insights into Italy’s experience with building standards, reconstruction after major earthquakes, and the integration of scientific research into policy and practice.
The visit highlighted Italy’s approach to post-earthquake reconstruction, particularly in L’Aquila, where innovative retrofitting techniques and new technologies have been used to strengthen both public and private buildings damaged in the 2009 earthquake. Engagements with academic institutions and research centers, including EUCENTRE in Pavia, demonstrated how applied research and engineering innovation contribute to safer construction and long-term resilience.
Discussions also focused on preparedness, institutional coordination, and financial risk management. Meetings with national and regional civil protection authorities illustrated how Italy integrates prevention, emergency response, and recovery across different levels of government. The role of insurance and professional liability mechanisms emerged as a key tool for encouraging compliance with safety standards and strengthening financial preparedness in the construction sector.
The exchanges identified practical lessons relevant to Türkiye’s reform agenda, including the potential introduction of professional liability insurance, stronger professional certification frameworks, technical committees to support code development, and the use of accessible technologies for testing and retrofitting residential buildings. These insights were further reinforced through a follow-up virtual exchange with Japanese experts, offering additional perspectives on construction supervision and long-term compliance.
Together, the experiences shared by Italy and Japan illustrate that building resilience goes beyond technical solutions alone. It requires institutional learning, sustained investment, and a willingness to adapt systems based on lessons from past disasters. By facilitating these knowledge exchanges, the World Bank is helping Türkiye translate international experience into reforms that support safer construction, stronger institutions, and more resilient communities.
