Analysing Post-Earthquake Housing Practices in Istanbul and Its Surroundings Between 16th and 20th Centuries

Abstract

Istanbul and its immediate surroundings have witnessed many earthquakes from the 16th century to the present, the most severe of which were as follows: 10th September, 1509; 25th May, 1719; 22nd May, 1766; 10th July, 1894 and 17th August, 1999, the last of which is also known as the Marmara Earthquake. Chosen as the focus of this study were those earthquakes which, in light of their limitation of place, amplitude (magnitude) and time, led to the constitution of new post-earthquake housing practices. As a first step, general information about the 1509, 1719, 1766, 1894, 1999 earthquakes was appraised. Then, with the aim of providing holistic data for different disciplines that research this issue, the study examines the housing units constructed during the emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction stages in the the aftermath of the earthquakes. For the five earthquakes, the resulting data of post-earthquake housing practices are set out in such a way as to explain the historical process of the practices involved.