Enhance household resilience in Istanbul

Purpose: This paper aims to address improvements in household preparedness against earthquake risks. Design/methodology/approach: Two surveys were conducted in 2008 and 2013 to reveal prevention and preparedness measures which Istanbul’s inhabitants had taken in their households. Findings: The findings of surveys show the progress in taking risk reduction measures which have been propagating from higher socio-economic status through all segments of the community in a five-year period. This shift is also evidence of the efficiency of community awareness programs conducted by governmental and non-governmental bodies in Istanbul. Originality/value: The evaluation of the impacts of community awareness programs which leads the progress in risk reduction activities in Istanbul is a valuable example for large cities which are facing natural threats. The findings of this paper can be considered as a facilitator in understanding the tendency of different socio-economic groups against earthquake risk.