Procedural Uncertainty in Earth Building Production: Post-2010 Approval Processes in Türkiye

Abstract

Earth buildings in Türkiye are constructed using contemporary methods similar to global
practices. However, since 2010, legislation has limited how this material can be used in
construction. This study aims to identify the uncertainties and challenges faced during the
approval process for both public and private earth buildings built in Türkiye after 2010. A
sample of earth buildings completed after 2010 and officially approved was selected for this
research. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with designers and
representatives of approval institutions and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings
indicate that uncertainty mainly arises from vague definitions of earth buildings in standards
and regulations. Consequently, technical evaluation criteria are often unclear and applied
inconsistently across different institutions. This leads to longer project timelines, approval
delays, and less predictability in production. Therefore, this study emphasizes the need for
more standardized procedures and clearer evaluation criteria in the earth-building approval
process.