As a result of recent disasters in northwest Turkey (Marmara earthquake August 17, 1999/Düzce earthquake November 12, 1999), many buildings collapsed and many people experienced physical and mental problems. We can suppose that the problems caused by these earthquakes will be solved in the future, but geological studies show that the problems will not disappear in that many scientists are predicting a new disaster that will affect the same region. A design of natural-hazard land-use planning for minimising the consequences of recent and possible earthquakes is presented herein. The Adapazarı case is used to demonstrate the fundamentals of this study. In accordance with the aims of the study, a geographic information system is developed by superimposing current physical, socio-economic, demographic and cultural characteristics of the study area on regions that have potential earthquake-damage risk. Accordingly, safe and suitable areas for urban uses are determined by preparing an alternative land-use plan.

As a result of recent disasters in northwest Turkey (Marmara earthquake August 17, 1999/Düzce earthquake November 12, 1999), many buildings collapsed and many people experienced physical and mental problems. We can suppose that the problems caused by these earthquakes will be solved in the future, but geological studies show that the problems will not disappear in that many scientists are predicting a new disaster that will affect the same region. A design of natural-hazard land-use planning for minimising the consequences of recent and possible earthquakes is presented herein. The Adapazarı case is used to demonstrate the fundamentals of this study. In accordance with the aims of the study, a geographic information system is developed by superimposing current physical, socio-economic, demographic and cultural characteristics of the study area on regions that have potential earthquake-damage risk. Accordingly, safe and suitable areas for urban uses are determined by preparing an alternative land-use plan.