Earthquake Conscious Urban Transformation and Redevelopment:repercussions of Izmir Radius Project on Fikri Altay District

Abstract

Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural occurrences. They strike without warning and they may result various damages to urban environment and human life. The technology to predict their specific time, location and magnitude has not developed yet. It is possible to reduce the harmful effects of earthquakes and to create urban surroundings resistant to earthquakes by comprehensive projects stated as "risk mitigation activities".Turkey is exposed to earthquake risk due to fact that it is on an active seismic zone and that most of the buildings are not in conformity with earthquake safe design codes. zmir also has high earthquake risk as determined in the content of zmir RADIUS Project that is conducted by United Nations. This thesis is mainly about to ensure safety of urban environment that is expose to earthquake risk. The thesis has three principle purposes: to produce a guide about the projects done for mitigating zmir.s earthquake risk, to explain the strategies, process and methods for urban safety and to develop planning and design principles of earthquake conscious urban design.Risk assessment process of the existing buildings and urban environment is the part of the urban safety process. In this context risk management, risk assessment process and the methods for risk assessment is clarified. Especially the methods for vulnerability assessment of existing urban pattern and of buildings are explained. Strategies for designing earthquake safe cities are discussed. Urban transformation is proposed as a solution of urban safety. As a matter of this, a case study is undertaken on Fikri Altay District in zmir comprising a vulnerability assessment and an urban transformation project.Different methods used in the content of the survey. zmir.s scenario earthquake produced in the content of RADIUS Project is adopted for hazard assessment. Istanbul Earthquake Master Plans. observed vulnerability assessment method is modified for the case study area and RADIUS computer software is used for damage estimation.Consequently, a redevelopment plan and principles for earthquake conscious urban transformation is proposed.