Compliance With Legislation and Public Interest Assessment in Zoning Plan Revisions: The Example of Iskenderun

Zoning plans and modifications issued by municipal governments significantly influence urban growth. Zoning regulations must include disaster risks, adhere to applicable legislation, and, crucially, serve the public interest in planning. This study examines the legal compliance and public interest implications of zoning plan revisions implemented after the 6 February 2023 earthquakes. The analysis focuses on the 1/1000 scale 5th Phase Addition and Revision Implementation Plan approved in İskenderun, Hatay Province. Using qualitative document analysis, municipal council decisions, plan notes, explanation reports, microzoning studies, and visual map sections were reviewed. Key findings include: (1) disproportionate density increases in TICK (Trade + Housing) areas violating the principle of equality; (2) conversion of parks and green spaces into construction zones disrupting the balance of public services; (3) reduction of building setback distances to zero creating safety concerns; (4) construction permissions in ZF-class liquefiable soils issued without geotechnical restrictions; and (5) storage areas introduced without evaluating infrastructure adequacy. The study evaluates these issues under Law No. 3194, Spatial Planning Regulations, municipal laws (5216, 5393, 6360), and the 2018 Earthquake Code, identifying legal and constitutional conflicts. The lack of transparency and technical justification in plan notes indicates weak governance. This study contributes a model for evaluating post-disaster planning decisions, emphasizing the need for resilience, legality, and public accountability in urban transformation processes.