Seismic Assessment of the Architectural Heritage in the Fatih District of Istanbul

Abstract eng:
Istanbul, a 2500-year old city, is under threat of a devastating earthquake. Reflecting past experience a very high probability of occurrence has been postulated for an M7 or larger earthquake during the next quarter century. The Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul has committed itself to an ambitious program that targets urban rehabilitation part of which is seismic loss mitigation. The building stock includes many irreplaceable historic buildings of different ages. The city’s long history is reflected in the architectural heritage of its urban texture. While the current size and population of the conurbation have spread over a large area, the historic buildings are situated mainly in the area known as the “Historic Peninsula.” Here they are confined to two administrative districts (Fatih and Eminönü) that are bound by the estuary Haliç (Golden Horn) to the north, the Strait of Istanbul to the east, Sea of Marmara to the south, and the ancient land walls to the west. The administrative district Fatih alone boasts some 5,000 registered historic buildings under protection. This paper describes the procedure for measuring, recording and assessing the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings in Fatih. A sample group comprising 223 buildings was surveyed as part of field and office work that lasted one-and-one-half years. Of these, 20 will be subjected to further stress analysis and detailed assessment.

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