Call

Dragoljub Davidović
Mayor of Banja Luka

The earthquakes that struck Banja Luka on October 26 th and 27 th 1969. At the surface of 9.000 km2 reached the seismic intensity of 7°, 8° and 9° of MCS scale. In Banja Luka and other fifteen municipalities in the Krajina Region 15 people were killed whereas 1117 were severaly or slightly injured. 86.000 thousand apartments, 266 schools and 592 cultural, health, social and economy facilities were completely destroyed or partially struck. The earthquake from October 26 th was just the herald of a considerably severer strike, which actually came a few days later. At the time, most of the people were outdoors, which was true luck as the number of the killed and injured did not get to be as high as the destructive force of the devastating earthquake from October 27th could've resulted in.

Several strong earthquakes were registered in the past and all of them ravaged the area of Banja Luka. However, the city grew out of ruins and ashes to become even bigger and more beatiful. There are 250.000 inhabitants in Banja Luka today, which is a figure increased by almost four times in comparison to the situation from forty years ago. The urban area of the city got spread by five times. Banja Luka is the administrative center of the Republic of Srpska, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We are convinced that this Conference, which will be taking place on the occasion of the forty-year anniversary of the earthquake, which Banja Luka, will be the right place to sum up the knowledge and experience in the field of seismology engineering and that we shall make a considerable contribution to its development not only in the region and the Balkans, but also in Europe and worldwide. Taking into consideration the topics indicated in the invitation, the Conference will be very up-to-date and informative for all civil engineering vocations, and particularly for engineers who deal with research, planning, urbanism, designing, executing, supervising and maintaining constructional facilities and systems. Besides, it should prove very useful too for the authorities – decision makers.

Banja Luka is known for its hospitality and openness. It has always hosted many distinguished personalities and delegations. Our city suffered many calamities and changed its looks many times, but its wealth, which is measured by the monuments, representative architectural heritage, beautiful natural rarities and rich experience of the citizens, still remains to attract and host dear guests!

We are therefore inviting you to take participation in the work of this important gathering. Welcome and have a pleasant stay in Banja Luka!