Mixed-Methods Analysis of Post-Earthquake Displacement and Residential Mobility After the 2020 Aegean Sea Earthquake: Implications for Urban Sustainability in İzmir
Sustainability (Switzerland), vol.18, no.11, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 18 Issue: 11
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.3390/su18115607
- Journal Name: Sustainability (Switzerland)
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, INSPEC
- Keywords: Aegean Sea earthquake, forced migration, natural disasters, residential mobility, sustainability
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study investigates the factors influencing residential mobility patterns following the Aegean Sea Earthquake in Izmir. The primary aim is to understand how individuals make relocation decisions in the aftermath of a seismic disaster and how these decisions relate to broader processes of urban resilience and post-disaster sustainability. The research employs a mixed-methods approach: semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 residents from the Manavkuyu and Mansuroğlu neighbourhoods in the Bayraklı district, while geographic data from 1617 individuals affected by the earthquake were analyzed to map spatial patterns of movement. The findings reveal that decisions regarding relocation were shaped by a combination of perceived structural safety, emotional attachment to place, and access to public services. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data, the study offers a nuanced understanding of post-disaster mobility, providing insights that can inform more resilient urban planning and disaster response strategies in earthquake-prone areas like İzmir.