At the "Science Cafe" event organized by the Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Science Communication Coordination in memory of the 1971 Burdur Earthquake, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Ulutaş evaluated Burdur's building stock and earthquake safety. In the meeting held with the participation of experts, it was emphasized that buildings constructed especially before the year 2000 carry high risks due to low material quality, lack of supervision, and structural irregularities. It was also pointed out the danger of pounding in adjacent buildings and negative practices such as heavy projections and hollow core slabs in new buildings, stating that risky buildings in the city center urgently need to be renewed or strengthened.
As part of the "Science Cafe" meetings organized by the Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Science Communication Coordination, the program titled “Burdur Province Building Stock and Earthquake Safety” was held on 04.05.2026 in the meeting hall of the Burdur AFAD Directorate building. In memory of the May 12, 1971 Burdur Earthquake, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Ulutaş, a faculty member of the Civil Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering-Architecture, participated as a speaker.
In the speech; the general condition of the existing building stock in the Burdur city center, earthquake risk, and the necessary precautions to be taken were discussed from a scientific perspective. It was particularly emphasized that buildings constructed before the year 2000 have a high risk of damage due to low material quality, lack of building inspection services, and the irregularity of "strong beam-weak column". Additionally, the potential for pounding effect due to different floor levels in adjacent buildings was mentioned. In new buildings, the widespread use of heavy overhangs and hollow core slabs was stated to be a negative situation in terms of building stock.
The event, held with the intense participation of architects, civil engineers, and other professional groups working in various institutions in Burdur province and districts, concluded by emphasizing the vital importance of renewal or strengthening works for buildings, especially those constructed before the year 2000, in the city center.