Reconstruction And Zero-Energy Buildings

“Zero-Energy Buildings” are safe alternatives for minimizing the loss of life and property in case of all kinds of natural events, even wars.

Today, due to reasons like climate change and global warming, we encounter natural events such as fire, earthquake, and flood more frequently. In case necessary precautions are not taken against such natural events beforehand, these events turn into disasters that result in loss of life and property. In disasters, human life or cities may be destroyed as a result of an impact that lasts for years or a few seconds. Such destructive events lead to the destruction of not only human life but also economic and social life. Disasters whose consequences
are predicted but no action is taken to prevent them may be considered man-made disasters. Regardless of the source of the disaster, man made reconstruction is essential.

The reconstruction processes following dozens of disasters in various parts of the world have been scientifically examined and it has been determined that the process consists of 4 basic stages:

1- Emergency response
2- Recovery of essential utilities/services
3- Reconstruction of social needs
4- Developmental restructuring

During the establishment process of the cities, each building is built for different purposes, in different sizes, and specific to the intent. However, the reconstruction process following a devastating disaster may take up to 25 years, depending on the extent of the damage and the social and economic context of the reconstruction. During the planning of the process, experts also have to solve the problems regarding “geographic in ertia”, which means restructuring that involves larger and appropriate areas, approaches that will preserve the “spirit of the land”, sustainable disaster mitigation and the desire to settle in areas that may cause permanent damage. In terms of reconstruction, the construction activities are relatively more intense than in normal construction but take a shorter time in comparison.

For this chaotic process to be successful, it must be well planned with the help of a multidisciplinary professional team. In order to save the lives of most people and recover their social life as soon as possible after the disaster, preparations should be made beforehand, applicable programs should be designed and disaster policies should be developed.

The reconstruction process following a devastating disaster may take up to 25 years, depending on the extent of the damage and the social and economic context of the reconstruction

Following the massive earthquake in our country, we saw that the most significant need is places where the victims can take shelter, rest, and eat in a warm and safe environment. For this reason, it is a “national sustainable restructuring” project that needs to be performed both to protect against such disasters and support the citizens following the disasters.

1. Initiation of the pre-disaster sustainable restructuring program

2. Implementation of nationwide transformation in line with the requirements of the new era, within the scope of the program

3. Emergency response upon disaster

4. Meeting human needs following a disaster

5. Structuring a “better” post-disaster state

In the planning to be made before the disaster, natural resources, human resources, cultural, social, political, financial resources, and all of the structural resources that can support other resources should be taken into consideration. All these resources should be included in the plan in a way that enhances each other’s positive impact. For example, all disciplines such as machine parks, operators, logistics, energy, and others should be scientifically included in the disaster plan and plan this chaotic process in a coordinated manner. One of the most significant elements of the pre-disaster transformation activities is the aim. Here, first of all, it is necessary to aim for a construction process that will not be affected by the disaster or that will minimize the effect of the natural event turning into a disaster. It should be underlined that the “Earthquake Regulation” implemented in our country is extremely comprehensive and sufficient. In the last earthquake, the buildings that were built in line with the regulations (unless their foundations were not interfered with, their columns and beams were not cut) were not destroyed.

The reconstruction process following a devastating disaster may take up to 25 years, depending on the extent of the damage and the social and economic context of the reconstruction

Therefore, the only thing we need to do to prevent people from losing their lives in a natural event such as an earthquake is in fact the construction of buildings in line with the regulations. Another significant point is that during the planning phase of these buildings, “zero-energy buildings” should be the goal. Zero energy buildings have to comply with all kinds of regulations due to their structure. The static project of a building targeted as a zero-energy building is made in a way that is suitable for the placement of solar panels on the roof to generate its own energy. Besides, since such buildings produce their own energy, there will be no power interruption in case of a disaster. In other words, following a disaster, heating-cooling systems, ventilation, lighting, and electrical energy systems will keep working. Even though this feature is not very remarkable in the first place, it offers a safe area where people who survived the destruction of the building in the last earthquake disaster in our county but were affected by the cold can warm up.

The “Earthquake Regulation” implemented in our country is extremely comprehensive and sufficient

The intensive care units of zero-energy hospitals do not get into challenging situations due to power outages following an earthquake. Since the ventilation and lighting of the operating rooms keep working, they will continue to serve. Zero-energy meal centres, zero-energy leisure places, and zero-energy shelters will keep offering hot meals and a warm resting environment since there will be no power outage. Since they offer energy to meet human needs such as lighting, ventilation, comfort, hygiene, and even water needs, they are extremely essential structures for minimizing the impact of disasters, emergency response in case of disasters, minimization of post-disaster losses, and start of social life as soon as possible. In our country, we will begin to see such natural events much more frequently from now on. For this reason, “Zero-Energy Buildings” should be included in the structuring targets before disasters. In addition, we need to focus our understanding of construction on self-sufficient buildings. Zero-energy buildings are safe alternatives not only for protection from the effects of earthquakes and providing a safe area afterwards, but also for minimizing the loss of life and property in case of all kinds of natural events, even wars.