According to a formal agreement signed between İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) with the approval of The Council of Ministers (2000/1885) and publication in Official Jurnal of Turkish Republic in 22.01.2001  (24295) Project is initiated within the Directorate of Ground and Earthquake Research.

The target of  Microzonation Project is the assessment of the physical vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure in subdistrict level (Mahalle) according to an earthquake scenario in collaboration with Japanese experts. A database  that consists of map, soil and building inventory including site analysis such as boreholes, geological, geophysical, geotechnical and building measurments are harmonized to assess the urban risk. The Project results are submitted to İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality by JICA. Project results are targeted to be used as an input at risk mitigation work and projects to develop Project more in the future.

Four different scenarios are tested in collaboration with JICA to estimate the lossess at buildings and infrasturucture in Subdistrict level. Estimated casualties and lossess with a 7.7 or 7.5 magnitude earthquake is calculated as Aproximately 750000 buildings,3.040.000 households, 9.000.000 individual will be effected. 

•  50.000-60.000 Heavily damaged buildings
•  500.000-600.000 Homeless family
•  70.000-90.000 death toll
•  120.000-130.000 severely, 400.000 slightly injured  
•  1.000-2.000 water leakage
•  30.000 natural gas service box leakage
•  %3 Electricity cable breakage
• 140 Million ton debris
•  40 Billion Dolars economic loss
•  Rescue operation for individuals
•  330.000 tent is required.