Effects of changes in locations of fault zones on property values

Earthquake fault zoning and geological survey have attracted considerable attention in Turkey, particularly after the major earthquake on 17 August 1999. Detection of faults, processing the results on zoning plans and prohibition of construction on these fault zones were brought to the agenda in Turkey only after this major earthquake. This study investigated the plots on which Osmaniye Municipality made zoning changes in old and new zoning plans due to faults. Then, the effects of these changes on property values in the region were determined using zoning diameters, current property (buy–sell) values and the building coverage and floor area ratios. Accordingly, recommendations were made particularly for implementing agencies to find solutions for the problem.