The earthquake at Bam was bitterer and heavier than similar events in recent decades — perhaps not only because of the death of half the population of a city and the near-total destruction of its city and its economy (which set it apart from other earthquakes in smaller towns and rural areas in recent decades), and perhaps not only because of the destruction of the citadel of Bam, which beyond its incomparable historical, cultural and even economic value was a beautiful and beloved place in our land. Perhaps this heavy bitterness arises from a feeling of helplessness and deep impotence in facing a danger that hangs over this land like a drawn sword. The people rightly ask: what have we done? Why have we not done it? And what shall we do?
Some two weeks after this disaster, no firm, serious action — or even a clear agenda — is to be seen. The only thing that catches the eye is the inflow of relief and the announcement of countless bank account numbers for "popular donations" by government and state organs.
The professional community of architects, urban planners and builders of the country is of great importance at this juncture. In this issue, despite the very limited time before our publication date, we have tried to reflect the opinions and proposals of a part of this professional community; and we declare our readiness, by every possible means — including a special bulletin — to inform readers about the actions of architects, urban planners and especially the professional associations of architecture, urban planning and construction.
More than a quarter-century ago an earthquake destroyed the historic city of Tabas in Khorasan. Since then, several other major earthquakes have struck, in each of which tens of thousands have lost their lives and cities have been destroyed which, although perhaps not of the same historical and aesthetic value as Tabas or Bam, were nonetheless part of the wealth of the country and of its people.
I remember that in the year the Tabas earthquake struck, news of the disaster and its images took over the front pages of the journals and news agencies of the world. National and international organisations immediately set to work in relief. Valuable proposals were made and fundamental decisions taken. The victims were laid to rest. The reconstruction began.
Today we can see and evaluate the real results in present-day Tabas. If another earthquake were to strike Tabas, would we have learned from past griefs, or could we still be accused of permanent neglect in the face of recurrent disasters? Will today's grief, having occupied the front pages of newspapers and the news of the world, gradually fade once the victims are laid to rest?
All this makes it necessary to set up an "organisation" whose daily task is to reflect on past experience and on future actions to confront such events. The creation of an independent, permanent organisation — concerned not only with earthquakes but with other disasters too, with fires, war, industrial accidents, contagious epidemics and gas explosions — is one of the country's vital necessities. For immediate measures — rescue operations, the provision of health, treatment, water, food and shelter following a disaster, and serious supervision of building quality — are essential in the struggle against such calamities. Preventing the construction of unpermitted buildings in flood paths and on earthquake faults; safety controls in new construction; the enforcement of regulations relating to fire in forests or in residential and commercial high-rises and similar matters are now the duty of the various branches of the country's administrative system. But the proposed organisation should be charged with overseeing and producing an annual report on all these matters. For example, the precious task of protecting historic monuments such as the citadel of Bam, and their seismic strengthening, should be undertaken by such an organisation. For, in the face of the destruction of such a unique complex, the question seriously poses itself: why, in the restoration of historic monuments, is it only the outer kāhgel (mud-straw) skin that is taken into account, while the essential reinforcement of these structures for stability in the face of disasters is neglected?
In any case, the lack of a central core and a permanent command structure diminishes the effectiveness of measures taken in separate sectors. Such an organisation could identify the specialists of all relevant fields in advance — including relief and emergency aid, reconstruction, the resolution of social problems and so on — and stay in contact with them, so as to be able, both before a disaster and after it, to mobilise and activate the necessary committees.
The reconstruction of the city of Bam is one of the duties of the profession of architecture and urban planning, and it is right that the profession should equip its highest talents and resources to this end. I recall that one of the issues raised at the time of the Tabas earthquake was the necessity of respecting the historical identity of the old fabric of that city. Architects, who had taken part in the debate over the rebuilding of that city, sought to prevent the loss of its old form. Reconstruction, unfortunately, is a many-sided matter; the issue is not limited to building shelter and housing for the people. The form of today's Tabas can be seen! Can we not learn from that experience a lesson for the rebuilding of today's Bam?
My proposal, to prevent the recurrence of such losses, is the selection of an honorary three-person committee made up of the directors of three eminent consulting engineering firms. This committee could act as adviser to the highest authority in the country, so that the reconstruction of the city is not held hostage to the impeding rivalries among the various sectors. A permanent independent organisation, under the highest administrative authority of the country, with a budget independent of the ministries — though of course subject to financial supervision — could carry out this duty. The prevention of casualties in possible earthquakes could be the goal of such an organisation. It could also be, in the long term, the custodian of the seismic strengthening of historically valuable mud-brick and mud-straw towns and villages. A country which loses tens of thousands of its citizens in every earthquake — losing also part of its national and historic heritage — has every reason to think of the future, and of tomorrow's possible victims and damages.
